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Not perfect, but evocative
We’ve already mentioned on these pages that there’s a new book out that might be of interest to our readership. It is called Deep Purple From 1984: every album, every song, written by Phil Kafcaloudes, and published by SonicBond.
The book is pretty much what it says on the cover — it is every post-reunion album from Perfect Strangers to =1 reviewed track-by-track, with a brief introduction on the state the band found themselves at the time, the recording process, and the artwork. Selected live releases are included along with the complete studio discography. Each track is reviewed for the music, the performance, and the lyrics. Contemporary quotes from the people involved are sprinkled throughout. Being a collection of reviews, it is necessarily heavy on opinion, while the reference value of the book is, ahem, questionable, as documented in the previous review. One can argue if the author’s interpretation of the lyrics — that often differs significantly from the intended meaning — is as valid. But that’s how the vast majority of listeners would approach it — develop their own understanding of the lyrics. Only a few hardcore fans would go scour the web in the hope to get insight from the horse’s mouth.
That being said, I have found the book an engaging read — Phil certainly knows his way with the words and how to make his point evocative. Yes, it may raise an eyebrow here and there. It may also make you go “hmm, that’s not quite how I remember it”, and put on an album you haven’t listened to in years. Whether this collection of eloquently written opinions is worth £17, it is for you to decide.
What: Deep Purple from 1984: Every Album, Every Song
Author: Phil Kafcaloudes
Published by: Sonicbond Publishing
Format: softcover, A5 (148mm × 210mm)
Pages: 176
Colour pictures: 41
ISBN: 9781789523546
Publication date, UK: February 28, 2025
Publication date, USA and ROW: April 25, 2025
Suggested retail price: £16.99 / $22.95
Thanks to SonicBond for providing a copy for the review and to Phil Kafcaloudes for arranging it.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
I always find other people’s view on DP interesting- whether I agree with them is secondary. Back in the 70s and 80s I was glad about any review of albums from the DP family – whether good or bad -, thinking that any mention is better than no mention.
Bad reviews can be informative and pivotal too – I bought my first Rush and Judas Priest albums based solely on both being panned in the NME. The derision aimed at them heightened my curiosity, I like to form my own opinion on things.
April 22nd, 2025 at 04:26Well I do take some responsibility! I did say at the end of my review that it was well written but what I was trying to highlight were the deficiencies (as I saw it) for the hard core fan – and after nearly 30 years of following the Highway Star I’d say the hardcoreness (sorry Uwe I feel my creation of that word will disappoint you!) on here is quite high. Peace & Love to all
April 22nd, 2025 at 13:18But David, I’m no stranger to hardcore! 😘
Nichts Menschliches ist mir fremd. Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto …
April 22nd, 2025 at 14:41