Record Reviews

DON AIREY ~ ONE OF A KIND (EXTENDED EDITION) EAR MUSIC 4029759126393 (Barcode: 4029759126393) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2018 This is the 6th studio album by British Rock keyboardist Don AireyFind albums by this artist, primarily known as a member of the iconic Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, where he replaced Jon LordFind albums by this artist in 2001. The album was recorded with vocalist Carl SentanceFind albums by this artist, guitarist Simon McBrideFind albums by this artist, bassist Laurence CottleFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon FinniganFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, ten songs and one instrumental, all originals co-written by Airey, Sentance and McBride. This Extended Edition includes a second CD with live material recorded by the same band in Hamburg, not including any of the songs from the studio album. Not surprisingly, the album sounds quite similar to Deep Purple, a mixture of Classic Rock and melodic Hard Rock, brilliantly performed by all these seasoned instrumentalists and with superb vocals by Sentence. All the songs on the album are just perfect for this kind of music, and although they sound as if originating some fifty years earlier, this is exactly what some of us like to hear occasionally. Airey plays some brilliant keyboard parts as does McBride, again in perfect tradition of the 1970s, and these musicians know exactly what they are doing, note after note. If someone likes the music of Deep Purple, it is simply impossible not to like this stuff. And of course they are every bit as good live as they are in the studio! Overall, this is a perfect extension of the music of Deep Purple, and for the many fans the band still has around the world, this is exactly what the doctor prescribed. Excellent musicianship and vocals make this a true delight from start to finish. A taste of grandmother’s cake? Who cares, if you were born at the right period, you know what I mean…

Updated: 01/04/2024Posted: 01/04/2024

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DEEP PURPLE ~ =1 (LIMITED EDITION) EAR MUSIC 4029759191346 (Barcode: 4029759191346) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is the 23rd studio album by the iconic British Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist and the first album recorded by the Mk IX lineup, which includes vocalist Ian GillanFind albums by this artist, new guitarist Simon McBrideFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Don AireyFind albums by this artist, bassist Roger GloverFind albums by this artist and drummer Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, all co-composed by all members of the group and their regular producer Bob EzrinFind albums by this artist, for whom this is the 5th DP album he produced. The bonus CD presents a video offers a new “behind the scenes” documentary. Deep Purple seem to be completely and utterly time resistant, and sound every bit as vital and creative as ever. The new guitar player fits the bill perfectly and his riffs are as recognizable as those of his predecessors. The songwriting is also completely consistent with their past ways, and the album might have been recorded fifty years ago and nobody would be able to tell the difference. Of course some listeners might say that this album completely lacks innovation and is nothing more than a repetition, more or less, of music the group has been making for the last almost sixty years. Well, this is very true, but what of it? They do what they do perfectly and the music still kicks ass and puts any contemporary Rock group (if there are any) to shame. For people who grew up in the 1960s and followed Deep Purple faithfully for all these years, there is absolutely nothing wrong with hearing a bit more of the same, as long as it is as good as the music herein. The instrumental abilities that come together on this album are absolutely convincing, which of course is no surprise to any music lover familiar with Deep Purple’s legacy, Gillan is still a mighty vocalist, losing just a bit of his upper range, which is all for the better. Sparkled with some British sense of humor and obvious love of the subject matter, they are simply unbeatable. Veterans, grandpas, dinosaurs and whatever they are called, they still easily kick the ass of any band half (or one third) their age. Overall, this is a superb Rock album, which combines tradition, great selection of material and sublime musicianship, which is way more than one dares to expect from any contemporary Rock music. The fans of the group need no convincing and the youngsters might just learn something from what it has to offer. Hats off are in order and hopefully see you all on stage one day soon, lads.

Updated: 05/08/2024Posted: 05/08/2024

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