Deep Purple
Shades Of Deep Purple

THE REVIEW

Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord came from the Roundabout, but they stayed there for only a few months. They immediately formed a new band in '68, together with the timeless Ian Paice on drums, Nick Simper on bass, and a talented Rod Evans on vocals, both hailing from The Flowerpot Men and their Garden.

Not the best debut for Deep Purple. The different musical influences of the two founders (symphonic pop, and a great attraction for American rhythm & blues, shared with the other members), are probably the direct consequence of the result of this record (and the subsequent "The Book Of Taliesyn"), a result that partly convinces, which lays the groundwork for what will be in the following years the band's sound, which is still very raw.

The album consists of four covers ("Hush", "Help", "Hey Joe", "Prelude: Happiness - I'm So Glad", which indeed contains "I'm So Glad", also covered by Cream) and three tracks composed by the band, plus an instrumental intro. It is precisely this intro that immerses us with the very first single, "Hush", a cover of Joe South, which receives great success especially in America. "Prelude: Happiness-I'm So Glad" represents a glimpse into the band's future, with the first instrumental forays that will become a trademark especially in live performances. Another prelude is "Mandrake Root", where all the musicians' potentials are highlighted, favoring a darker and more aggressive sound, which will only find its expression in later years (and with the later line-up). "One More Rainy Day" is a purely beat track, where we can appreciate the voice of Rod Evans, truly intense here.
He is also perfectly immersed in "Help", a cover of the Beatles, a song with a rather psychedelic beginning. Fantastic is also the version of "Hey Joe", made famous by Jimi Hendrix. The remaining "Love Help Me" is the most negligible episode, at times it feels like listening to the Beach Boys. Additionally, it is penalized by Blackmore's aggressiveness, in stark contrast to Evans' cheerful singing.

An album that highlights only a small fraction of what Deep Purple will be. A raw debut, as already mentioned, that lays good foundations. But one cannot yet speak of Deep Purple. It will take a couple of years of gestation and a line-up change that will literally shock the music world.