Although I was a big fan of classic rock band Deep Purple in the early '70s, I am frankly amazed at their continuing popularity some 40-plus years later: the group's bona fide hits number a total of two—and one's a cover (“Hush”). The other—perennial rock anthem “Smoke on the Water”—is the eight-minute-plus milked closer for this 2011 engagement that finds DP backed by an orchestra in fair Verona's renowned Roman amphitheatre. Fans will no doubt notice (and perhaps not care) that this is essentially identical to Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011 (VL-3/12): same lineup, same 19-song (counting the “overture”) set list played in exactly the same order with the Neue Philharmonie of Frankfurt under conductor Stephen Bentley-Klein. One of the signature strengths of Deep Purple is singer Ian Gillan's soaring vocals, which start off here on “Highway Star” being decidedly weak and strained. By the time the band reaches “Woman from Tokyo”—five songs later—Gillan's pipes have warmed up somewhat, but this is still a fairly tepid echo of the man who sang the lead in the original Jesus Christ Superstar. Gillan is backed by Ian Paice on drums, Roger Glover on bass, Don Airey on keyboards, and Steve Morse on guitar (the latter pair replacing original members Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore). The orchestra appears to be having a good time (no doubt “Space Truckin'” is a far cry from their standard fare) and they never overwhelm the band, which serves up a fair amount of noodling (extreme proficiency notwithstanding) from Morse and Airey (who shows off his classical chops in an extended solo). Fans will appreciate favorites from the DP catalog, including “Maybe I'm a Leo,” “Lazy,” and “No One Came,” but collections already owning the Montreux release can safely pass. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is a strong optional purchase. (R. Pitman)
Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live in Verona
(2011) 96 min. DVD: $14.98, Blu-ray: $19.98. Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 30, Issue 1
Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live in Verona
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