Deep Purple – “Long Beach 1971” [Album Review]

Released on May 26th, 2015, from a performance originally recorded in Long Beach, CA on July 30, 1971, Deep Purple’s Long Beach 1971 contains four tracks of Purple from the band’s revered MK II era.

Featuring the lineup that made “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water” perennial hits (about a year after this performance), this record’s draw is its musical sorcery and unvarnished live sound. Singer Ian Gillan’s mimicry of Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar licks on “Strange Kind of Woman” is spellbinding, as is the interplay between Blackmore’s axe, Gillan’s vocals, and Jon Lord’s keyboard majesty in “Speed King.”

“Mandrake Root,” which clocks 27 minutes of the album’s run time, showcases Blackmore, wearing the crown of a prominent guitar deity of the day. Gillan’s lamenting wails in “Child in Time” will leave the listener transfixed. All in all, this is some prime time Deep Purple.

Track Listing:

01. Strange Kind of Woman
02. Speed King
03. Mandrake Root
04. Child in Time

Run Time: 70 minutes
Release Date: May 26, 2015

Check out the album ‘Long Beach 1971’ here.