REVIEW: Deep Purple – Purpendicular (1996 US bonus track)

“The banjo player took a hike” — Ian Gillan


PURPENDICULAR US_0001DEEP PURPLE – Purpendicular (1996 BMG)

When Blackmore quit Purple for the second time, I had written the band off. I wasn’t too keen on the previous studio record The Battle Rages On, and what is Purple without the man in black? I didn’t want to hear a hack Deep Purple, struggling on to pay the bills with some sub-Blackmore player.  The first time he left, it shattered the band and they were unable to continue past one record with Tommy Bolin. Then I started reading reviews of live shows with Steve Morse on guitar. Steve Morse? What the hell was that going to sound like? Morse and Ritchie Blackmore — it is hard to imagine two electric guitar players who sound less alike. (Joe Satriani was also briefly in the band to help them finish up touring commitments.  Bootlegs of shows with Satriani are well worth checking out.)

When Purple finally released their new studio album Purpendicular, I had to buy it on import.  It didn’t even have a North American release.   When it was released officially in the US, an extra bonus track was added, so I tracked that down and bought it too. That is how much I really love this record. It had a huge impact on me musically in the mid to late 90’s, and when I saw Purple on this tour, they were smoking!

PURPENDICULAR US_0002

 

Kicking off with some of that patented Morse shredding, the oddly titled “Vavoom: Ted The Mechanic” kicks you in the teeth and won’t let go. This was, according to Gillan, done on purpose.  It was a statement: “Here is our new guitar player, bitches.”  Ian’s lyrics, ranging from bizarre to absurd and back again, are at their absolute peak on this album. (Check out “Somebody Stole My Guitar”.) Clearly, when the man had been freed of Blackmore’s shackles, he had been creatively revitalized.  That probably followed in turn for each of the members.

The second track is the melancholy, bass-driven “Loosen My Strings”, a song which wouldn’t sound out of place on Slaves and Masters. From there, the album goes from strength to strength: The powerful progressive epic “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming” (probably the best track on the album) to the bright and positive “A Touch Away”. Every song is backed by Morse’s unmistakable picking, miles away from Blackmore’s style of riffing, or medieval tendencies. That is not an attack against Blackmore, but sometimes a quality change can be refreshing. Morse utilizes pinch harmonics frequently on this album, which is a new sound for Deep Purple.  He also utilizes long sustained notes with wide vibrato, a classic Steve Morse sound.

PURPENDICULAR US_0004

There are very few weak songs on Purpendicular.  The plodding “Soon Forgotten” can be skipped.  Not all the songs are immediate.  Some of them are complex arrangements designed to take a little effort to penetrate. This album must be played a couple times for it to sink in. But when it does, stand back and prepare to be blown away.  I wouldn’t want to miss “The Aviator”, a rare acoustic Purple tune.  Morse lends it a celtic feel.  For folks who prefer the 70’s jamming Deep Purple, check into “Rosa’s Cantina” and give a shout-out to “Hey Cisco”.  And if you like it a little more straightforward and rocking, you may prefer catchy rockers like “Somebody Stole My Guitar” and “I’m Not Your Lover Now”.

PURPENDICULAR US_0003I mentioned that I re-bought this album for a US bonus track.  “Don’t Hold Your Breath” is a bright upbeat rock song, and worth tracking down.  It’s not necessarily an album highlight, but why do without?  Jon Lord’s organ sounds on this one are particularly enticing.

 

There was also one outtake from this album, a silly little jam/band intro called “Dick Pimple”.  This was put out on a fanclub-only release, and later reissued on Ian Gillan & Tony Iommi’s compilation CD WhoCares.  It’s a 10 minute track, giving the fans a rare chance to hear Purple with Morse jam just for shits & giggles.  Because it’s Deep Purple, it is a quality jam, and completely unlike anything on Purpendicular.

Purpendicular was a vital record for Deep Purple.  If they had blown it, that would have been it.  They couldn’t have continued with any credibility if it didn’t kill.  Fortunately it did.  I am pleased to report that despite the tragic death of Jon Lord, Deep Purple has managed four more great records since, all with Steve Morse on guitar.

4.5/5 stars

PURPENDICULAR US_0005

28 comments

  1. Wow, man, what a great review. I totally agree. I knew very little of Steve Morse before him joining Deep Purple. Kansas and Dixie Dregs (which also featured future Winger drummer Rod Morgenstein) were bands I have listened very little to. Like you, I was underwhelmed by The Battle Rages On and and I felt Purple’s future was shaky. But as a fan, not buying this album wasn’t really an option and it knocked me down on all four by first listen.
    To me, this is a Purple classic and should be mentioned in the same breath as In Rock, Machine Head, Burn and Perfect Strangers. I think Come Taste The Band should as well, to be honest. I can’t find anything even close to bad on this album and I’d give it 10/10 without hesitation. Too bad that doesn’t apply to its follow-up…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks Jon. I agree fully, and about Abandon too. I haven’t tackled a review of it yet. It was such a disappointment to me. Yes it was heavy but it lacked memorable songs. Any Fule Kno That and Fingers to the Bone were good but I can’t even hum most of the rest. Sad it was Jon’s swan song.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Great review of a stellar album. Definitely the birth of modern Purple. I don’t think they’ve topped this one yet (the last one came pretty close though). Totally agree with all of this. Soon Forgotten is the only track I could be tempted to skip on this one but the rest is brilliant.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s about an hour I think. But I wouldn’t want to lose more than one song. It just takes a little patience. It’s probably the longest of this era of Deep Purple though.

      Like

      Reply

  4. I have an old Steve Morse album somewhere but I can’t remember which one. I’m sure it will come. I liked both guitarists and while I agree that their styles are different, I agree that is a plus for Purple. It’s great to see them going strong after so many years, with Morse or Blackmore.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Agreed — you can’t say anything bad about either as a player, but they are very different. Where Steve differs most from Ritchie is probably that he’s easier to work with.

      Like

      Reply

    2. No Purple collection is complete without it.
      And it was I that wrote that it’s up there with In Rock, Machine Head and Perfect Strangers. ;-)

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. And the first two. I think the first two (which I have not reviewed yet) are pretty inconsistent. I believe there are compilations out there with some essential Mk I tracks that could substitute fine.

        Incidentally Jon, I am right now listening to a the Jon Lord live tribute concert. Deep Purple play an entire set including Uncommon Man and Above and Beyond for Jon. But what is really cool is Bruce Dickinson and Glenn Hughes showing up to sing You Keep on Moving. Hughes sounds EXACTLY like he did in 1975. I don’t know how he does it.

        Like

        Reply
  10. Pingback: On This Day (February 17)…Purpendicular is Released – Gotta Hear 'em All!
  11. Pingback: On This Day (February 17)…Purpendicular is Released - Gotta Hear 'em All!

Leave a reply to deKE Cancel reply