DEEP PURPLE - ROYAL ALBERT HALL,LONDON 25/9/99
How do you start reviewing this one? From the previous night in the restaurant with Svante, Stevie, Canadians, Americans and all the rest, it was obvious this weekend was building into something really special.
The evening started with the Orchestra playing a selection of Malcolm Arnold's "Scottish Dances", which made me feel very much at home and made the occassion all that more personal.
Jon Lord was introduced to a standing ovation, and the band along with the orchestra went into "Pictured Within". Miller Anderson was just awesome, the whole song was so moving and peaceful. This was followed by Sam Brown who was also stunning. It makes me wish I'd seen the Jon Lord solo dates earlier in the year. If this was just a sample then they must have been really great to be at.
Other highlights of the friends section had to be Ronnie Dio really giving his all for his two songs and The Steve Morse Band letting it rip with the first real rock number of the evening. Nice use of the violin during that song as well. Ian Gillan came on looking like Colonel Gadaffi in an Elvis costume. "Via Miami" was delivered really well, though I was not really taken with the other song on this night.
To end with we had "Wring That Neck", big band version. Words cannot describe how good this was, suffice to say it was the highlight of the evening so far.
A short intermission and it was time for the Concerto. I'm not sure what some members of the audience were expecting but the shouting was really annoying and Jon was visibly upset. However the whole Concerto was really well performed and the concert settled down very quickly.
Morse did the guitar parts really well and did not try to copy the Blackmore bits. Instead doing his own stuff with suitable restraint.
Gillan's spot was delivered well, though I think his entrance may have distracted things a bit. The second night he came on at the start of the second movement and not just before his bit, I think this helped.
Ian Paice however was the real star of the Concerto, pretty much like the original version 30 years ago I think. His solo spot was a fine display of control and at the end he received a standing ovation.
The final section of the evening was a selection of Purple tunes with the orchestra and band. "Ted" got things started of well, but the highlight was "Sometimes", a really great version. The whole cast came on for the finale of "Smoke" which while chaotic was also fun. Does Dio even know the song never mind the words? Following a full five minutes of cheers Ian Gillan returned to tell us there would be no more and thanked us all for coming.
The whole day was something special, from the Goat Tavern in the afternoon, to the two drunk girls (Pissed and Drunk Spice) on the tube on the way home. On a personal note it was nice to meet everyone, the names would go on for hours, but a special mention to Benny for nearly running us over outside Door 4 as we all rushed to get inside, and to the sad fool from Finland who was missing out on the second night to go home and watch the Grand Prix. We told you it wasn't worth it! And finally the achievement of the night was Big Charlie getting in despite having all the hassles with his ticket already being inside.
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