Royal Albert Hall Sunday Sept 26th 1999
Well, what a night to remember! Pete and I have been Deep Purple fans for more than 30 years - we always did know that they are brilliant, and we've brought our two children (now all grown up at 21 and 19 years of age) up to appreciate good music - our son's guitar playing is very much influenced by his early years of listening to Deep Purple, and it's a treat for us to be able to listen to his live renditions of blues and rock music.
Over the past few years we've seen Deep Purple go through some changes, sometimes painful, but we LOVE the way the band has been able to progress since Steve Morse joined its ranks. He brings new vitality and an extra vibrance to the music, which the other members of the group quite obviously appreciate and enjoy. We met Steve before the show, while waiting at the RAH door, and were amazed and delighted to find that he is as amiable and enthusiastic off stage as he is on it. What a star! It was a real treat for us also to meet Ian Paice and Roger Glover, who were only too pleased to speak to their fans. Unfortunately we missed Ian Gillan and Jon Lord (cool dude!), but we love them just as much. Maybe we'll see you next time.
Well, the concert - absolutely superb! It was quite obvious that everyone in the Hall enjoyed the evening - the audience, obviously, but equally the orchestra players, the backing singers, guest stars, and especially Deep Purple themselves. I often caught sight of Steve Morse, for instance, grinning from ear to ear, gazing in awe at the orchestra, and probably wondering if this whole experience was real. Well, Steve, yes it was. Jon, too, how must he have felt to be part of his musical masterpiece being re-created so perfectly, and how special it must have been for Paul Mann to have been part of such a special event. I was so pleased to hear Ian Gillan's voice during the concerto - I don't know how many times I must have played the original version - thrilling - I'm pleased he was given an extra verse this time! Along with "Child in Time" those few verses belong with my all-time favourites. Roger Glover and Ian Paice worked their hearts out too, and delighted everybody. Long Live Deep Purple! We look forward to our next opportunity to see you!
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