Deep Purple
Stuttgart 1993

Those who love Deep Purple, like myself, find every one of their releases interesting, regardless of era or lineup. For obvious reasons, special attention is given to live albums, and the one I want to talk to you about should not go unnoticed.

"Stuttgart 1993" was recorded during the tour in support of "The Battle Rages On" (1993). A record of this tour was already present with "Come Hell Or High Water", which, although acceptable, has some flaws, such as a setlist too short compared to the concert (just 9 tracks), and that night in Birmingham, from which most of the tracks are taken, was not the best. In fact, Blackmore and Gillan behave like perfect strangers baiting each other. This is documented in the video version of the concert, and it is also evident when comparing the DVD with the CD that the latter has overdubs, which is unusual for Deep Purple.

Well, the weak points of "Come Hell Or High Water" become the highlights for "Stuttgart 1993"; in a double CD, the entire evening's setlist is offered, which alongside all (or almost all, given the abundance) of the group's classics, also features some surprises like "Anyone's Daughter" from "Fireball" or the Rolling Stones cover "Paint It Black", in addition to many tracks from "The Battle Rages On", which apart from the title track proposed only recently, will not be performed again.

Most importantly, though, is certainly the state of grace with which our heroes appear on stage. From the intro that leads into a magnificent "Highway Star", you realize you're about to hear a great concert. Gillan still manages to sing like only he can, Lord seems to be coming directly from the California Jam with frequent improvisations and breathtaking introductions, Paice dispenses the usual class that few have, had, or will have, Glover is always a guarantee, and finally, The Man In Black, a legend, who had the power to make a Deep Purple concert memorable, delivers an astonishing performance that leaves you speechless.

The thrilling moments of the evening are "Knockin At Your Back Door" preceded by almost ten minutes of improvisation first by Blackmore and then by Jon Lord, which definitively kicks off the piece; a rare and well-executed "The Battle Rages On" and finally "Speed King", a metal monument that features a quote from "Burn" in the middle, clearly without Gillan's intervention (he himself has stated he tried more than once, even recently at the request of Steve Morse, to perform the track, but with little success).

In conclusion, this live album presents us with an evening where the magic of the past is felt, where the chemistry that has characterized Deep Purple for so many years is present. Personally, I consider it, after "Made In Japan" and "The Final Concert", the best live album by Purple.

To the wise, few words are needed.