Purpendicular (Studio recording, 1996)

Rating: 8.84

Reviews: 11

Comments: The licks on "Cascades: I'm Not Your Lover" actually made me forget there was another Deep Purple before Steve Morse. Some outstanding work from a group of guys that were obviously having fun. (Dean Webb)

It is very full of creativity, the songs vary within rock & roll a whole lot, and that was very different from the several albums after the reunion in 1984, which sounded all much too alike and not breaking any new grounds at all. (Ilija Gospodinov)

I feel it represented a return to Purple at their very best, to me it was the best effort, since "Burn". (Neil Jones)

Fresh, happy, adventurous, Back at last! (Jesper Almen)

Exit Blackmore this time, and to my astonsihment this was exactly what the band needed. This is a record of a band reborn. It’s witty, elegant and inventive. (Per Lundblad)

When Blackmore quit for the second time, I thought it was about time they shut the whole DP project down. So when I heard that they hired Steve Morse for the guitar spot and were about to release a new album, I wasn't so positive about it. But then I picked up the CD and, boy, was I wrong! Starting with a direct hit from Steve's guitar on the intro to Ted the mechanic and ending with the final notes of Purpendicular waltz, this album blew me away. It's full of energy, energy that I thought Purple had lost for good. SM has brought fresh ideas to the band, improving the mood of the others so much, that they seem and sound reborn. There are no bad moments on this album, every song is different from the next and the result is another classic release for the fans. Rating: 9 (Spiros Papageorgiou)

Live at the Olympia (Live recording, 1997)

Rating: 9.79

Reviews: 7

Comments: Wow! Theyr'e back! Happy, rockin'. A lot of unexpected songs ( like Fireball, When a Blind Man Cries, No One Came) and the guys are tighter than ever..Don't miss this one. It's a rebirth! (Jesper Almen)

I decided to give LATO a ten. It didn't electrify me and leave me musically bludgeoned into submission like MIJ left me... Rather, it warmed up nicely and kept going the whole set through. It became an instant classic in my heart, and is proof DP is still tops when it's on stage. The playing is great, and the one-off addition of some horns on a few songs is a great touch that livens up songs both old and new. It's over two hours of top-grade live rock and I love it. (Dean Webb)

Although very different from Made in Japan, (the benchmark for all live rock albums as far as I am concerned) it is an equal in it's own right. I agree that it's sheer variety of Purple classics alone justifies it as a must have. To those still hooked on TMIB, and have not heard L.A.T.O. or seen this band live since '93, you will be in for a shock when you hear this record. The Machine Head classics never have sounded better and fresher, and the new material comes off oh so well. L.A.T.O. is a must purchase! Just buy it! (Laurens van't Zelfde)

10 / 10 for sure. My favorite moment on the whole album is at the end of Pictures of Home. After a nice solo from Steve, Jon cuts in and plays a beautiful tune... One other thing that i like on the album is the last song on disc 1, The Purpendicular Waltz. I never got into this song on _|_ but after listening to it on LATO, i appreciate it on a whole new level. Steve's guitar lick just after Ian sings " It's a dog's life" is great, so too is Jon's role. (Paul Sommer)

With this album Purple restore their fame as one of the best live acts around. The passion of this recording can only be compared to Made in Japan. Each one of the band's members plays perfectly and the crowd loves it, singing along the words from all the songs. The choise of the setlist, a mixture of classic and new, but already popular, tracks, is ideal, plus we get to hear for the first time live When a blind man cries with backing horns. What a treat! Rating: 10 (Spiros Papageorgiou)

Abandon (Studio recording, 1998)

Rating: 7.76

Reviews: 14

Comments: Very enjoyable and professionally done. Highlight for me was "69", as it had one of the best riffs I've heard in years. (Dean Webb)

Where "PURPENDICULAR" occasionally seemed a bit tense, "ABANDON" is fully relaxed and free flowing. This is, most assuredly, not to say that the material is soft. It is just very very obvious that the band is playing with, well, with total abandon! (David Wilson)

I believe that some arrangments could have ben done better (like the ending part of '69, isn't that boring for you, the same theme a 100 times??!!; and also the guitar work on Seventh heaven could have had much more creativity in it, I don't know how could they have missed these things, if it has been done deliberately, I still don't get the ideas...). But anyway, apart from this Abandon is once again an excellent heavy rock document, having the charm of three decades ago and taking the new instrumental creativity of the last decade. (Ilija Gospodinov)

"Abandon" is a very good follow -up, but does not match the excitement of the former (Purpendicular). Only "Seventh Heaven" , "Fingers to the bone" and possibly "Dont make me happy" would make it on to Perpindicular. (Neil Jones)

The songs on the new album have not much to offer even though musicianship still is great. (Birgitt Schwanke)

Big disappointment to me, after the two previous records. I was expecting so much more…This is not by any means a worthy follow-up to Purpendicular. But it’s much better than the really bad albums. (Per Lundblad)

Abandon is a masterpiece. I regret to report (respectfully) some of the other reviewers must have been either asleep or listening to another CD. What "I" heard is by far the best studio work from the boys in decades! (Steve Crosby)

After Purpendicular I was expecting something similar and was a bit dissapointed with this album. It has the same energy, but lacks some of the freshness of _|_. Morse is now more confident, but I think that he tries to play a little harder and it doesn't come so natural to him. Still there are some great songs, like 69, Watching the sky and Almost human. Looking forward for the next studio release, guys... Rating: 7 (Spiros Papageorgiou)

Total Abandon (Live recording, 1999)

Rating: 9.50

Reviews: 4

Comments: Great stuff from the boys in the band. We get to welcome back "Lazy" and see new renditions of "Bludsucker", "Almost Human", and a killer Steve Morse solo! If you can get the video, so much the better! (Dean Webb)

Total triumph! Loved Made in Japan and Live at the Olympia? Well, this is even BETTER!! A live recording thats so mature, and takes the aspects of crossing old material with respect with new ideas and turn it all into something new. (Per Lundblad)

I bought this one on Video from the online store and did absolutely the right thing. Since I haven't seen the new line-up live, I used to read all the reviews from the concerts that were praising DP and was anxious to pick up the tape and see for myself. Well it was all worth the wait. These guys are fantastic on stage and can really drive the crowd mad. Hearing LATO you can just guess the fine relationship between the guys and the atmosphere they create. But only when you get the chance to watch TA on video can you realise what an experience a DP concert is. Again, the setlist is perfect, leaving everybody satisfied. Rating: 10 (Spiros Papageorgiou)

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Live recording, 1999: 30th Anniversary Commemorative performance of the Concerto for Group and Orchestra)

Rating: 8.50

Reviews: 4

Comments: 9.5. Should have been 10, but there is 0.5 off due to the lack of Steve Morse's Solo. (Nico Holger)

I really enjoyed to hear the Concerto again, and I was amazed to find how well I remembered it, when I listened to it for the first time for so many years. (Per Lundblad)

The Concerto was a much easier task for DP now than it was 30 years ago, because nowadays they are an accomplished band that has nothing to prove to anyone. But again, it shows the musicianship and the noble character of the guys, especially Mr. Lord. Apart from that, the concert was a perfect oportunity to perform some DP songs with an orchestra and that is what most people will remember from it. The versions of these songs are all fantastic, in particular Sometimes I feel like screaming, Pictures of home and, of course, the ultimate version of Smoke on the water with all the guest stars of the night on stage (2 guitars, 2 basses, Gillan and Dio taking turns on vocals, horns, backing vocals and a full orchestra!). Also interesting is Paice's interpretation of Wring that neck with the horns. Rating: 8 (Spiros Papageorgiou)