If you have a TV, it’s guaranteed that you’ve heard a song or two featuring Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord. The anthematic “Hush” is heard everywhere, and every fist shaking kid that grew up in the 70s rocked out to “Smoke on the Water.” This 2 disc set is a tribute of sorts to the keyboard giant who cleverly mixed long haired rock with long hair classical, and made it work.
Along with the Orion Orchestra lead by Darragh Morgan and conducted by Paul Mann, various guests ranging from Paul Weller, Glenn Hughes, Rick Wakeman, Bruce Dickinson and the Deep Purple band go through a series of tunes associated with Lord’s career. Pop tunes such as “Things Get Better” and “I Take What I Want” cover the earlies years, leading up to some heavier pieces like “Soldier of Fortune” and the head banging “Burn” which closes out the first disc of the concert with a bang. Vocalist Glenn Hughes, drummer Ian Paice and Moog Man Rick Wakeman make this a voluminous version.
The second disc features the Deep Purple band of Ian Gillan/voc, Steve Morse/g, Roger Glover/g, Ian Paice/dr and Don Airey/key mixing thoughtful pieces such as “When A Blind Man Cries” with a jamming take of “Lazy” wit violinist Stephen Bentley-Klein. The climax of the evening is a take of the classic “Hush” that might just even include the kitchen sink. All in all, a fitting tribute to a monumental artist who knew how to smoke on the water.
Eagle Records