Not another deep purple compilation... Well, not really, this disc puts the first DP line-up near the top of progressive 60's groups, it also manages to be an essential purchase for the fans who have everything by including six songs mixed from the original multi-track master tapes (mint condition!), and a unreleased monitor mix and a BBC radio performance. Read on for more information about each song.

There are five cuts from their first album "Shades Of Deep Purple". The innovative remixes show off these oldies with a modern eye, as if they were recorded only yesterday. 'And The Address' is one to get a remix. It has never sounded so great, a cross between The Shadows and Cream, but with a superb all-encompassing Hammond organ sound by Jon Lord. It certainly makes a excellent start to the disc. 'Hush' follows, in an early monitor mix appearance. It does lose the opening sound-effect, and is a bit rawer with vocals lower in the mix than we are use to, with Blackmore's guitar having more of an intense quality about it and of course this song surely has one of the very best solos for organ in rock history. 'Mandrake Root' follows, this is also from the remastered debut, the riff inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the Nice (featuring Keith Emerson). It's one of the approaches that helped launch MKII's conquest of the Rock world and by 1970/1971 were playing this one with rock and jazz improvisations for up to 30 minutes. 'Prelude: Happiness / I'm So Glad' is another track from their debut and is remixed as well. There's no opening sound effects again, which gives a lot more power to the opening. The remix enhances everything and makes for an extraordinary listen. Rod Evans vocals are now much stronger and the backing vocals are also up in the mix, adding to the force of the recording. Blackmore's solo is a little thin, but maybe that`s what he was looking for! 'Hey Joe' concludes the 'Shades..' selections, and is one of the most appealing remixes, gaining a lot in clarity. Evans is the main recipient once again , though Blackmore's elegant guitar is now crystal clear.
Selections from 'Book Of Taliesyn' include, 'Kentucky Woman', which is a completely different take to the official release. The song now has a live vibe about it, with Lord's organ the star. He takes a fantastic solo, which expands the song by almost two minutes. A great addition to DP canon. 'The Book Of Taliesyn' remaster gives us versions of 'Listen Learn Read On', 'The Shield', 'Wring That Neck' (BBC radio) and 'Anthem' combine next to provide us with some fabulous Progressive Art Rock, a great listening experience when hearing the cream of the second album strung together.

Now, album three of this DP trilogy. When they do rock, the poky bass of Nick Simper and vocals of Rod Evan sometimes hold the group back, while the songs are trying for something new often just sound...wrong. However, when you get 'Bird Has Flown', 'Blind', 'Why Didn't Rosemary' and 'Lalena' sequenced after the astonishingly good previous tracks, two of them with remixes, they up to an incredible Deep Purple legacy. 'Bird Has Flown' comes from the remastered 'Deep Purple' disc and simply rocks. 'Blind' is a stunning remix with a clarity which increases the sudden attack of Blackmore's guitar. 'Why Didn't Rosemary' is also from the remastered disc, and despite sounding like the song never quite gets in gear, Blackmore's solo is one of finest ever. Lastly we get a stunning remix instrumental of Donovan's 'Lalena'. I was never a fan of this one, probably due to the over-sweet Evan's vocal, but now we hear a superb and gentle musical performance; very compelling. A great way to conclude this enjoyable Deep Purple compact disc.


Tracklist:

01. And the Address (Remix) (Blackmore/Lord) - 4:33
02. Hush (Monitor Mix) (Joe South) - 4:11
03. Mandrake Root (Blackmore/Evans/Lord) - 6:09
04. I'm So Glad (Skip James) - 7:07
05. Hey Joe (Remix) (Billy Roberts) - 7:13
06. Kentucky Woman (alternate take) (Neil Diamond) - 5:30
07. Listen, Learn Read On (Blackmore/Evans/Lord/Paice) - 4:01
08. The Shield (Blackmore/Evans/Lord) - 6:03
09. Wring That Neck (BBC Session) (Blackmore/Lord/Simper/Paice) - 4:40
10. Anthem (Evans/Lord) - 6:28
11. Bird Has Flown (Evans/Blackmore/Lord)) - 5:32
12. Blind (Remix) (Lord) - 5:28
13. Why Didn't Rosemary? (Blackmore/Lord/Evans/Simper/Paice) - 5:01
14. Lalena (instrumental) (Donovan) - 5:09

Personnel:
Rod Evans – lead vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
Nick Simper – bass, backing vocals
Ian Paice – drums
Jon Lord – organ, keyboards, backing vocals