For those of you not in the know, 'Come Hell or High Water' came at the end of a very fraught tour for Deep Purple (reformed Mark II), and after Ritchie Blackmore announced his decision to leave. In the same week as this video was taped, I saw the band at another venue and - musically at least - they were at their sharpest and their best for years. This includes Blackmore, despite reviews here to the contrary.
The disappointment in the band was their singer, Ian Gillan, once a great pair of lungs but by this time a bit of a croaker with no charm or style. A great performer he's not (and still limping along with the band as we speak).
But - this concert is terrific. All the classics are there; Highway Star, Smoke on the Water - as well as newer stuff from their reunion albums. What I could do without is the oh-so-serious sniping about Ritchie B from the other members of the group throughout the video. It's just a band, guys ...
The disappointment in the band was their singer, Ian Gillan, once a great pair of lungs but by this time a bit of a croaker with no charm or style. A great performer he's not (and still limping along with the band as we speak).
But - this concert is terrific. All the classics are there; Highway Star, Smoke on the Water - as well as newer stuff from their reunion albums. What I could do without is the oh-so-serious sniping about Ritchie B from the other members of the group throughout the video. It's just a band, guys ...