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Rating: Last contribution I will make to Deep Purple (at least I don't foresee it in the long term). There are two studio albums left to discuss:
1)The anonymous self-titled
2)The successor to “Purpendicular”: A. Band. On (In my opinion the worst work of their entire career)
Well, I will not proceed to review either of the two albums mentioned. I thought this album had not been covered, but just as I finished the review, I noticed its presence. I'm always wary of duplicates, but I feel I should publish it anyway because after spending some time on it, I wouldn't want all of this to have been in vain. I hope you understand me.
I'm talking about the monumental "Made In Japan".
An album that should not be missing from anyone's collection as it made music history.
Recorded in 1972 during a brief grueling tour (given the energetic nature of the shows), which the group held in Japan consisting of 3 shows in 3 days.
The first two days in Osaka (August 15th – 16th), while on the 17th in Tokyo.
"Made In Japan" portrays the mark II at the peak of its creativity, form, and synergy among the members. Something unattainable.
The first version consisted of a single CD (I wasn't existing yet then, and I don't know how many LPs there were), while in 1998 a second disc was added, containing three more tracks from those concerts.
After a brief introduction by Lord, the now-classic roll for us introduces "Highway Star", which compared to the "Machine Head" version turns out to be sped up quite a bit. The band works perfectly and Blackmore gives us, at least this time, more or less the classic solo of the original version.
Gillan has just warmed up his vocal cords. In the next "Child In Time", he showcases all the vocal skills that the screamer had back then and that he would maintain for a few more years. The screams that prepare the scorching and restless part of the song are chilling. Ian reaches those high notes with terrifying power. History!
It's time for the classic "Smoke On The Water". Little to add, the title says it all.
Now, it's Mr. Paice's turn to warm up as we have arrived at "The Mule". A few introductory notes and a few verses sung separate us from 8 minutes of drum solo, which for those years was mandatory at concerts. What can be said about the other Ian? Along with Bonham, he was one of the most influential drummers in the history of 70s rock for sure. It's also true that his style has remained more or less similar over the years, but I think it's important to frame him in the years of said album.
"Strange Kind Of Woman" represents the peak for the album. An original and overwhelming bluesy track that is complemented by improv that has also become historic. Gillan chasing Blackmore's high notes. It actually makes us listeners want to chase those acrobatic notes, but it's not a common ability as you can hear.
The blues doesn't leave us. It just changes speed. "Lazy", like "Highway Star", is significantly sped up. Gillan, who in many parts of the concert is forced to move his head to not remain idle next to the musicians who are having fun playing the long instrumental parts, in this track engages with the harmonica, giving a true blues imprint to the song.
The finale is solely dedicated to the Purple's favorite activity at concerts (at least in the '70s): Improv! A "Space Trucking" stretched for 19 minutes, in which Blackmore and Lord duel greatly. Nothing else to add, just listen!
The bonus disc includes "Speed King", "Lucille", and "Black Night". The latter two often included as classic encores in the concerts.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Black Night (06:19)
Black night is not right
I don't feel so bright
I don't care to sit tight
Maybe I'll find on the way down the line
That I'm free, free to be me
Black night is a long way from home
I don't need a dark tree
I don't want a rough sea
I can't feel, I can't see
Maybe I'll find on the way down the line
That I'm free, free to be me
Black night is a long way from home
Black night, black night
I don't need black night
I can't see dark night
Maybe I'll find on the way down the line
That I'm free, free to be me
Black night is a long way from home
02 Speed King (04:34)
Good Golly, said little Miss Molly
When she was rockin' in the house of blue light
Tutti Frutti was oh so rooty
When she was rockin' to the east and west
Lucille was oh so real
When she didn't do her daddies will
Come on baby, drive me crazy--do it, do it
I'm a speed king you go to hear me sing
I'm a speed king see me fly
Saturday night and I just got paid
Gonna fool about ain't gonna save
Some people gonna rock some people gonna roll
Gonna have a party to save my soul
Hard headed woman and a soft hearted man
They been causing trouble since it all began
Take a little rice take a little beans
Gonna rock and roll down to New Orleans
Good Golly, said little Miss Molly
When she was rockin' in the house of blue light
Tutti Frutti was oh so rooty
When she was rockin' to the east and west
Hard headed woman and a soft hearted man
They been causing trouble since it all began
Take a little rice take a little beans
Gonna rock and roll down to New Orleans
I'm a speed king you go to hear me sing
I'm a speed king see me fly
03 Lucille (07:27)
Lucille, please come back where you belong,
Lucille, please come back where you belong,
I've been good to you baby, please don't lead me along.
I woke up this mornin', Lucille was not in sight,
I asked my friends about her but all their lips was tight,
Lucille, please come back where you belong,
I've been good to you baby, please don't lead me along.
Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart,
Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart,
I played love with you baby,
And gave you such a wonderful start.
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Other reviews
By BathoryAria
"Made In Japan is a continuous succession of pearls of absolute beauty and aggressiveness."
"Made In Japan is rock, nothing more. Period."
By Sket
This album represents a milestone in live hard-rock, and it’s probably the best live recording ever made.
Gillan’s voice is aggressive and rocking, and Blackmore’s chord progressions give a sense of swagger, very rock-like.
By pierluiggi
It is even said that at the moment of the highest high note, the decibels he generated... were compared to those generated by a departing airplane.
They want to make lots lots of money and they are just noise. Listen to Deep Purple.
By hellraiser
This live album is a sonic monster still unmatched today, shining for over forty years.
It is common opinion that the live recorded tracks took on a new and more powerful fascination compared to those from studio albums.
By R13569920
The masterpiece of the Purple sound, especially live, is indeed Blackmore’s instrument, and it’s not even the sound engineers’ skill; it’s Ritchie himself working superbly.
The main merit belongs to the band itself, playing at their peak while carefully separating parts and distinguishing roles, no one goes above the others.
