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Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland June 24, 2003

by John McEvoy

Just over a week ago, we all came out to 'Dublin' on the 'River Liffey' shoreline ... well, myself and my wife did along with several thousand others! This was my second time seeing DP in Dublin (and my wife's first time EVER - remember that stat shipmates!). Please forgive me if I've gotten the set list wrong in any way, but it's hard to enjoy the gig and keep track of such things at the same time, I trust you understand one and all.

For those among you out there unfamiliar with the 'political' geography of the Emerald Isle, we talk about this place in terms of 'North' and 'South' and as practically two 'separate' countries (no comment!). Right, now that that's as clear as mud(!), we drove down from the 'North' stopping off en route (and by pure chance) at the absolutely stunning and coincidentally named 'Ardgillan' (honest!) Castle ('Ard' means high/top etc. in Irish and you all know the 'Gillan' part!) for 'refreshments'. We eventually arrived at the Point Theatre about an hour before the show started. Alas, by then the 'car park full' notices had gone up all around the venue and by the time we managed to get parked (about a bloody mile away!), we missed part of Lynyrd Skynyrd's set, but caught their two most important and best known numbers I guess, 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Freebird'. The latter went down particularly well and was worth hearing 'live'.

However, I don't think I could sit through a full Skynyrd set as their other music is nothing to get excited about and Johnny van Zant(?) has this persistent and annoying habit of practically shagging/worshipping a 'Stars and Bars' draped mike stand, perhaps he was making a point in a country where flags (unfortunately) have much religious and political significance - BORING! Contrast this with Ian Gillan who went about the business of performing so professionally and without any such flag-shagging 'patriotic' histrionics, but I digress.

As the good ol' boys took their final bows to an over-generous round of applause, my wife remarked that she hadn't heard anything onstage we couldn't have heard in some of the local bars and I was inclined to agree. Better than last year's support, the Planets, but not nearly as cute! However, purely because of the (totally unwarranted) frenzied crowd reaction, I must admit I had slight reservations about them being a 'hard act to follow'. Only time would tell ...

And so the auditorium began emptying at the break and the throng made its way towards the many and various bars/WCs dotted round the foyer - it was maaaddd, like Dante's Inferno (cover of the third DP album)! I would dearly love to see some of these halls employ an MC to let you know when the band's about to take the stage as I/we got caught out yet again (as were so many others!) by the quick-ish change of stage sets and were only alerted by the (as always) 'superb' Mr Paice's familiar intro to 'Highway Star'.

Hard act to follow ... how could I ever have doubted them?! They tore into THE definitive road song ('Highway Star') much to the delight and appreciation of the fans (who were going 'Bananas' right from the off!). Gillan's voice was tremendous, not a note out of place (how DOES he do it night after night?!) and the band were just sooooooooo tight. At this point I must also mention that the crowd, as opposed to last year's gig at the same venue, was a younger and much more energetic bunch - maybe too much so as several 'casualties' had to be given medical assistance and one young girl (at least I 'think' it was a girl!) was 'escorted' from the premises later on for an ill-fated attempt at storming the stage! Last year the ground floor was all seated, this time around it was standing room only and they were packed in like the proverbial sardines! But it all lent for a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat atmosphere. By the way, IG was letting it all hang out yet again - he was naked from the ankles down!

Next one up was a bit of a surprise, 'Knocking At Your Back Door', which had a lovely DA intro interpolating (remember that word from 'Made In Europe'?!) the sublime keyboard ending from 'Weiss Heim' before they all stormed into the song in earnest. This was my first time hearing the SM version of 'KAYBD' 'live' and my immediate reaction was that, apart from it being pretty tasty, it was slower than RB's one, but that was to its credit as it was probably closer to the original studio recording in terms of tempo.

'Pictures Of Home' followed and I remember Roger Glover received a rapturous reception for 'that' solo. Usual sublime intro and solo from SM. Jeez, can this guy play geeeeeeeetar or wot!

I reckon the next track, 'Woman From Tokyo', had also been slowed down just like 'Knocking At Your Back Door'. But no complaints, powerful as ever.

Then, what I'd realllllllllllly been looking forward to, a track off the soon-to-be-released 'Bananas' - 'Haunted'. From memory, it's got a 'When A Blind Man Cries' type intro and is sooooooooooooooo catchy! I've only heard it once and it's an instantly memorable, can't-get-it-out-of-your-head kinda track. Here's hoping it gets the airplay it deserves. Needless to say, my better half was suitably impressed, but then she's seriously impressed by IG anyway, and who could blame her?! Excellent 'power ballad' - can't wait to hear the 'proper' studio version!

'Speed King' was a no-frills version which I personally preferred to the 'Faroe Island Skiffle'/'Lucille' one. This again went down well with the crowd.

Then the absolutely splendid 'Well Dressed Guitar', what can I say - outstanding and played with note-for-note precision and with such ease. By the way, I haven't seen it mentioned on the track listing for 'Hard-ish, long-ish, phallus-like yellow things' ('Bananas'!), has it been subsumed into another song or is it going to be the B-side of 'Haunted'(?), let's hope so as it deserves to be released in its own right.

Anyone remember 'Up The Wall' from last year's pre-Gillan illness Tour? Well, 'I Got Your Number' seems to be that track with a different monicker. However, it is much better structured than the previous incarnation and, as the ever-articulate Mr Gillan told us much to everyone's amusement, 'it'll be out when it's ripe'! It'll be interesting to see the songwriting credits as I'd guess young Stevie has had more than a hand in this track.

'Lazy' was next up with Gillan giving it his all on the 'lunch wrapper'.

Then another 'surprise' oldie, 'Perfect Strangers' preceded by Don's 'Star Wars' medley. Jeez, you could feel the balcony floor vibrate with the bass notes - magic! My only gripe is that he doesn't play enough of it. How about also resurrecting the keyboard solo from the middle section of the 'live' version of 'Lost In Hollywood' by Rainbow - 'Close Encounters'? Shut your eyes and it could almost be Mr Lord on the opening notes, then WHAM, straight into it! Again, I thought this was a beat or two slower, and again, that is not a criticism. At the time of his appointment, I thought it was a canny move getting Don Airey on board because of his experience and previous relationship(s) with DP's 'extended family'. I've seen nothing since to change my mind on that and I'm in agreement with your other correspondents who expressed similar opinions.

Back to the gig - the next one didn't need any introduction. Steve began his 'Riff-Raff' (AC/DC, Hendrix, Lynyrd Skynyrd(!) et al) before launching into the daddy of all riffs, 'Smoke'. Needless to say, the crowd went mental. I noticed several of the stewards really getting into it as well ... nice one!

So, how do you follow that? What about 'Space Truckin'? Powerful, short-ish version of another 'Machine Head' classic, Gillan again on top form. Then it was goodnight. Surely not, this crowd deserved more ... an encore (or two!) Maestros PLEASE! They duly obliged with 'Hush' and 'Black Night' before leaving a happy audience around about midnight. I'm sorry they didn't play the 'chicken song' ('I'm Alone') as I was really looking forward to hearing that one 'live' for the first time.

I've read most of the other reviews of this tour and I must be missing something because I couldn't see what all the fuss was about with Skynyrd! My wife and I were both of the opinion that while Dixie's finest may well have interacted with the crowd a wee bit better, Purple won hands down in the musicianship stakes - give me the latter ANYDAY! My missus was just bowled over by Purple and (like me) has been spreading the word to anyone and everyone ever since!

I reckon concerts are fast becoming almost like football matches, the arena clears pretty sharpish as people try to 'beat the traffic'. Personally, I never leave either one early as I much prefer to soak up the remaining atmosphere before usually being chased from the venue! Only this time, I wasn't going to be ejected ...

Remember I said that this was my wife's first time EVER seeing Purple? Well, prior to the gig, I picked up two backstage passes which were very generously organised for us by A.N. Other to whom I am indebted (no names, no pack drill!). This was my first time EVER being backstage, be it Purple, Rainbow, Gillan or Whitesnake and, my wife, who's never been to a DP concert before, gets to meet them her very first time! Aaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhh!

We didn't really know what to expect as it was a whole new experience, but thank goodness those good ol' boys from Dixie were nowhere to be seen! The atmosphere was cordial, almost edgy with anticipation. There was no real merrymaking as such, just an orderly gathering of family, friends, fans, the media (Gillan, and I think Glover, were interviewed by a TV crew, but I don't know which) and, of course, a few hangers on.

Before the group started mingling, we unwittingly struck up a conversation with Ian Paice's friend and next door neighbour, (Hi Aisling!). It was almost surreal to see the same five guys who were belting it out on stage twenty minutes or so earlier, just calmly and unassumingly enter the back bar one by one, like they'd just walked in off the street for a drink! Don Airey was first, followed by Ian Paice, then Steve Morse, Ian Gillan and last but not least, Roger Glover. That scene from 'Wayne's World' with Alice Cooper sprung to mind (We are not worthy etc.)! Everyone was very pleasant, signed autographs, had their photos taken etc. Steve Morse even let me check out his little finger just to see that it was quite normal and not a three inch extension he wears to twiddle all those controls! The band, no doubt knackered from their previous exertions and wary of travelling and playing Glasgow the next night, took their leave after about half an hour or so, around 1:00 a.m.

Just before calling it a night, we were introduced to the late Phil Lynott's Mother who was a VIP guest (we'd noticed her at the show earlier a few rows in front of us). What a lovely and genuine person she is. I had a short chat with her about Blackers' and Phil's one-time proposed venture, 'Baby Face'. She seemed to know all about it telling me that Ritchie, Ian (Paice) and her son had been great friends at one time.

Shortly afterwards, we bid our goodbyes to Mr Paice's neighbours and began the long trek homewards. On our way back to the car we noticed quite a few coaches from Belfast and elsewhere, so, if you're reading this chaps, PLEASE take note that there are a lot of fans north of Dublin too!

'Black Night' and we're a 'lonnnnnnnnnnng way from home', but it was worth it - well done Deep Purple and thank you for producing the goods yet again!

Regrets? I have a few, but then again ... just a couple of minor gripes.

1. The last decent stage set/backdrop DP had was on the 'Abandon' Tour, can we please have something of similar quality for 'Bananas'?

2. Also, can someone please tell me which is the 'official' Deep Purple logotype? There are several versions doing the rounds with little or no consistency. You don't see Coca-Cola mucking about with their logotype, so why should Purple? Let's just have the one, eh? Time for those Marketing Johnnies to start earning their keep!

3. The set list - there were no older Morse-era tracks at all, and I'd also like to see some different oldies, so, just to jog your memories, here are a few suggestions you may like to consider for your next U.K and Ireland(!) Tour ...

Flight Of The Rat, Rat Bat Blue, Hard Lovin Man, No, No, No, Watching The Sky, Place In Line, Our Lady, Painted Horse!, Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming, Cry Free, Demons Eye, Ramshackle Man, The Battle Rages On, Anya, Into The Fire, Child In Time, Watching The Sky, Ted The Mechanic, Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming, Loosen My Strings, Strangeways, Cascades, Fools, The Aviator, '69, PLUS, plenty of stuff from the noo album!

Even though I did ask each of the band this on the night, I'm asking again - I propose you play Belfast (the Odyssey Arena) on the 'Bananas' Tour and my mate Mark (class of 2002!) seconds that! C'mon guys, we buy all your records up here too you know - PLEASE!

And finally, the very best of luck with 'Bananas' and 'Haunted' - here's hoping they sell by the shedload!

We wish you well ...

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