Deep Purple Album: “Live in Montreux 1969”

Superb 2-CD unreleased archive title from the band,itself.Concert took place on October 4, 1969 at the Lido in Montreux, Switzerland. Features an early gig by Deep Purple's 'Mark 2' line-up, which of course if the classic personnel of Blackmore, Paice, Gillan, Glover and Lord. All seven(7) of these cuts TOTALLY kick *ss!! I was in awe when I heard the intensity and energy during the live performances of "Speed King", "Hush", "Child In Time", their thirteen minute Stones cover version of "Paint It Black" and Neil Diamond's "Kentucky Woman". Top of the line sound quality. Highly recommended.

If you're of the opinion that Deep Purple functioned best as a jam band you may have already been drawn to this like a moth to an Insectocutor. Those who haven't - you have been warned, this is not a very good show.

First, the very trivial complaints - Gillan doesn't know the words to "Kentucky Woman" (now there's a surprise, not!) and makes no effort at improvising lyrics in "Speed King/Kneel And Pray" (at least the BBC version was sort of coherent).

Now what are the good points? "Hush" and "Wring That Neck" feature very charming Jon Lord solos, complete with amusing musical quotations and Emersonesque distortions. "Paint It Black" reminds us that Paice had the musicality to as well as the technique (he was better at constructing a solo than Bonham or Baker), and the band manage to get the theme statement note-perfect this time. "Mandrake Root" has Gillan singing what he can remember of the original second verse, and when the jam begins, it's the only time Ritchie's excuse for a solo fits in musically. Which brings us to...

Bad points - RITCHIE. On a good night he was the best British hard-rock lead guitarist of his generation, exhibiting a harmonic sophistication way beyond Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi. But this isn't a good night - it's one where he seems to be waiting in vain for a good idea. And to cover himself, he wibbles (i.e trills aimlessly) and sploshes (i.e plays distorted, atonal glissandos that don't have a context) - and that's all he EVER does!

Which is why, not only does this album not come within hailing distance of the magnificent STOCKHOLM 1970/SCANDINAVIAN NIGHTS, it's even inferior to the 1970 BBC In Concert performance.

This is truly an amazing find, as well as recording for the Deep Purple fan. It's the "classic" MK2 lineup just a few months along, being caught on tape (pretty good quality) doing a complete mind blowing set in late '69. The songs performed are Kneel & Pray (early version of Speed King), Hush, Child in Time, Wring That Neck, Paint It Black, Mandrake Root and Kentucky Woman as the encore, very rare indeed. Thus, making Montreux '69 an essential purchase for the Deep Purple fan!

What was wrong with Kneel & Pray? Same CD, same songs, same order. Different cover. Why?