Royal Albert Hall - September 25, 1999

WOW!! The guy sitting on my right said that to me as the band left the stage after one of the most incredible musical experiences I've ever had. Strangely enough, I'd just said the same thing to the guy on my left. Was it really that good?

Different, certainly. I think that, when I booked my ticket, I was not aware that the RAH gig would be anything other than a 'Deep Purple' gig. So, when I discovered in the last week or so that the gig was to be 'Concerto' and 'with friends' I was, if anything, more delighted.

It's probably true to say that you can see the band anytime you like, when they will trot out all the old favourites. And a great time will be had by all concerned. But how often will you get to see or hear Concerto? Ok, it is my least favourite Purple LP but it is part of what the band is about. Mk 1 was the bands infancy, Concerto was puberty and the resultant In Rock saw them come of age. Right or wrong?

So, to the night itself; Saturday September 25th, 1999. I'd seen the DP web-site announce The Steve Morse Band, Ronnie James Dio, and Eddie Hardin but the line-up as published in the programme almost beggared belief. The evening promised to be a 'monster', and so it was.

The orchestra arrived on time and, without introduction, began with 'Four Scottish Dances' by Malcolm Arnold. I don't know the tunes, but a fitting start to the evening made all the more poignant by the fact that Sir Malcolm was unable to be present due to ill health. Paul Mann, conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, then introduced Jon Lord who received a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage. Two pieces later, sung by Miller Anderson (Pictured Within) and then the lovely Sam Brown (Wait A While), there was a huge roar as the diminutive form of Ronnie James Dio arrived accompanied by his band to perform two songs from Butterfly Ball (Sitting In A Dream, & Love Is All). His band? Paice, Lord, Morse, Glover & Eddie Hardin. The result? Triumph.

Next on, Ian Gillan. Nice Gandhi threads Ian, but a gold jacket? OK, it was London Fashion Week just down the road but I did wonder where his fashion sense had disappeared to.... 'Via Miami' was given a huge rock treatment, with Morse being replaced by Gillans long time solo partner Steve Morris. The vocal backing group really sang their hearts out on this one. The next number was 'That's Why God is Singing The Blues', a great song from a great album.

The next act was The Steve Morse Band. I only know them by CD and, although I did not recognise either 'Night Meets Light' or 'Take It From The Top', I was left wishing that the band would get over here soon for a real tour, real soon. They were joined by long time 'family' member Graham Preskett on violin (GP was on David Coverdales early solo LPs, amongst his many credits).

And finally, Ian Paice and the 'Impromptu Jazz Orchestra'. A dodgy bunch this - Glover, Lord, Preskett, the Kick Horns (a great quintet of brass players who performed outstandingly throughout the night) - little Ian led them all through an amazing reading of 'Wring That Neck'. A great echo back to 1969....

And so, to the interval....

The orchestra reappeared with Deep Purple (Steve continued the evening as he had started - with a huge grin). 'Concerto' was a revelation; I had deliberately not re-listened to the LP. I think it's fair to say that I hated it years ago, and wanted to go into the evening with an open mind. Many of the themes were familiar to these ears, and both the orchestra and band seemed to play with an enthusiasm that was, if rumour is to be believed, sadly lacking three decades ago. As I said, Steve Morse had an almost permanent grin the whole evening.

After some 45 minutes or so the Concerto was over, yet the time seemed to have flown by. Apart from one or two disturbances (which clearly upset Jon Lord) the performance was faultless, and the reaction of the audience was to award the performers with a most heart-felt standing ovation. The event programme made mention of the fact that the evening was being recorded for a CD and video release in January 2000 - does the world really need another 'Concerto'? Yes!!! Rewritten, revamped and remodelled by composer Lord, Mann and Dutch composer Marco De Goeij (who painstakingly transcribed the entire piece from the original recordings - as the original score had gone missing), the result was a triumph. I will be early in the queue for a copy.

And so, finally, to the final part of the evening. For some perhaps, this was what they had come to see, and they were not disappointed (except in length). Deep Purple kicked ass. 'Ted The Mechanic', 'Sometimes....', 'Watching The Sky' and 'Pictures Of Home'. Five men doing what they do best, with five brass musicians, five backing singers and a full orchestra. Amazing.

Following the briefest of departures, the entire cast came on stage for the encore. Two drummers, (Paice & Romaine), two bass players (La Rue & Glover). Countless guitarists (well ok - Morse, Morris, Anderson), vocalists (Gillan, Dio and the backing five), dozens of violinists (Preskett and the LSO), brass (The Kick Horns & the LSO). I mean everybody. This was loud, and what else could they do? What else indeed. The anthem. And yes, the Royal Albert Hall was left....smoking.

And still we wanted more. For fully ten minutes afterwards, the hall refused to empty. In fact, a visibly embarrassed Gillan came out to announce that it was over, the 'concert has finished'.

Looking back after 24 hours, the night was truly awesome. Everything ran (or, at least appeared to) like clockwork. The performers arrived on time, and they were all having a great time. Of the memories I shall carry of the evening, one is of seeing Steve Morse with such a huge grin on his face the whole night through; the other is seeing conductor Paul Mann nodding appreciably during all the band bits. Indeed, much of the LSO seemed to be doing much the same; a general musicians appreciation society? Could be.

The only thing that worries me about this event is that, when the CD and video reach the streets, something will be cut. If that is the case, then it will be a terrible shame. Nothing should be lost.

Dennis Bird www.shogem.demon.co.uk

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