Deep Purple fans have much to be excited about this month with two new catalogue projects covering two very different eras of the long-running rock group.
Eagle Rock kicks things off with a new remaster and reissue of Live in Paris 1975, reportedly the first of 10 forthcoming titles from the band on the label. First released in full back in 2004 but excerpted on many Deep Purple live projects (starting with 1976's Made in Europe), this show, recorded at Paris' Palais de Sports in April 1975, is significant for being the final show (for a time, anyway) to feature founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. (Blackmore had already founded Rainbow earlier that year and would release his first album with that group in August.) With that, the Mk. III era of Deep Purple ended, with Tommy Bolin becoming the guitarist until the band disbanded in 1976. This version of Live in Paris features an interview as a bonus track.
The group's disbandment would end in 1984, when the Mk. II lineup, featuring Blackmore, vocalist Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice came together once more. By 1987, Gillan (whose departure and replacement by David Coverdale established the aforementioned Mk. III lineup) would leave once again, to be replaced by onetime Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.
The sole Mk. V album, Slaves and Masters, featured the Billboard Mainstream Rock hits "King of Dreams" and "Fire in the Basement," and certainly remains a unique entry in their catalogue. Friday Music will bring Slaves back on CD in the U.S. for the first time since its original release, appending two bonus tracks: the single edit of "Love Conquers All" and its non-LP B-side, "Slow Down Sister."
Expect Live in Paris 1975 in stores on January 29, while the expanded Slaves and Masters streets the following week on February 5. Find the usual pre-order links and track info after the jump!
Live in Paris 1975 (originally released as Purple Records PUR-330D (U.K.), 2004 - reissued Eagle Rock, 2013)
Disc 1
- Burn
- Stormbringer
- The Gypsy
- Lady Double Dealer
- Mistreated
- Smoke on the Water
- You Fool No One
Disc 2
- Space Truckin'
- Going Down
- Highway Star
- Interview (bonus track)
All tracks recorded at the Palais de Sports, Paris - 4/7/1975. Portions of this performance previously released on Made in Europe (Purple Records TPSA-7517 (U.K.)/Warner Bros. PR-2995 (U.S.), 1976) and Mk. III: The Final Concerts (Connoisseur Collection DPVSOP CD 230 (U.K.), 1996)
Slaves and Masters: The Deluxe Edition (originally released as RCA/BMG 2421-2-R, 1990 - reissued Friday Music FRM-24212, 2013)
- King of Dreams
- The Cut Runs Deep
- Fire in the Basement
- Truth Hurts
- Breakfast in Bed
- Love Conquers All
- Fortuneteller
- Too Much is Not Enough
- Wicked Ways
- Slow Down Sister (B-side to "Love Conquers All" - RCA PT 49212 (U.K.), 1990)
- Love Conquers All (Single Edit) (12" A-side - RCA PT 49212 (U.K.), 1990)
George says
Slaves and Masters was a great Rainbow album, but I hope that the deluxe edition of DP's 1985 comeback Perfect Strangers comes out this year.