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Düsseldorf premiere of From Here to Infinity
I have just got home from watching “Deep Purple: From Here To inFinite” which premiered in Düsseldorf, Germany tonight. German radio/television WDR waited in front of the auditorium’s entrance for Ian Paice and Roger Glover to arrive and sign memorabilia for the fans. The auditorium itself was filled quite well although there were a couple of seats left. The movie was started with a still picture showing all band members in their polar outfits requesting the audience to not record the movie nor the three songs that were played afterwards.
In probably 90 minutes, the film highlighted some scenes of how the album was created. Starting with the last gig of the last world tour in London in 2015, traveling to Nashville were the songs were constructed in a rehearsal studio before going to the record studio which was located on the other side of the Nashville. Finally, the vocals were recorded in Toronto with only Ian Gillan and Roger Glover present. In between this overall story arc, the film explained how Steve and later on Don joined Deep Purple, that they were the best choice and what influence they had. Even Joe Satriani who replaced Blackmore when he quit the band in Japan was featured. In all the film was quite interesting and it shed a light to some of the new music allowing at least me to get a better feel of it. But above all there is one really sad thing that I would like to point out: I learned that Steve suffers from osteoarthritis in his hand which makes it painful for him to play guitar the way he played for years and which forces him to find a new technique. And that he wished to be “the last guitar player of Deep Purple”.
The worst moment of the whole evening was the time, when the three songs (All I Got Is You, The Surprising, Birds of Prey) were to be played. Not because of the music, which was really great, but because of the people that noticed that Ian and Roger had sneaked into the auditorium and went there to get some signatures. After the first song, the host had to interrupt the presentation and asked the people to get back to their seats. Having said that, let me come back to the songs: All I Got Is You which has already been released as video and single features a phrase from Ian Paice: “You have got me. But all I got is you”. The Surprising was at once my absolute favorite, maybe because Ian Gillan’s voice is left “pure”.
After applause from the crowd, a brief question and answer session took place. Most questions were to be expected and did not cause any new information for people who visit The Highwaystar regularly: “Is this really your last tour?”, “What is your favorite song of the album?”, “Who are your influences / Which drummer do you admire the most?”, “Time for bedlam is really dark, do you fell this way?”, “How can band today get famous?”…
Finally, the audience queued up to get some signatures and after leaving the auditorium there were free posters showing the cover of the new album.
Now, I can hardly wait to experience the whole album.
Review by Timo Teichert
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
I was there too, it was a great night. So cool Roger and Ian were there, they are so relaxed. The documentary really shows how down to earth these guys are, but above all their musicianship really shines. New to me was seeing Bob Ezrin work with the band in the studio, I was amazed how much he is in control, he’s really the boss in the studio, and he constantly pushes the band to find the ‘magic DP energy’.
The new album… I heard enough to know it’s going to be good.
My feeling is that this probably *is* the last tour and last album… but let’s hope they will last for a few more years, and maybe, maybe they’ve got one more studio record in them if Steve’s artritis won’t get much worse and if they all stay healthy…
March 17th, 2017 at 22:51And here is the video from the event:
http://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/video/sendungen/lokalzeit-duesseldorf/video-judith-wolters-von-der-premiere-des-deep-purple-films-100.html
March 18th, 2017 at 00:25TV report, starts at around 19:49.
March 18th, 2017 at 03:39http://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/video/sendungen/lokalzeit-duesseldorf/video-judith-wolters-von-der-premiere-des-deep-purple-films-100.html
Hey Timo,
great review – I’m absolutely with you, having seen the movie in Duisburg, unfortunately only with a handful fans(about 30-40 guys). ‘The Surprising’ blows me away, ‘Birds Of Prey’ becomes not my favorite song – ‘Time For Bedlam’ and ‘All I Got Is You’ are already classics.
Keep on rocking’
Best regards
Bodo Guyet
March 18th, 2017 at 06:55I hate getting old. I older I get the more I found that that people I love starts suffering from one medical problems or another.
March 18th, 2017 at 07:42I very sorry to hear about Steve suffering from arthritis. It has no cure and it spreads everywhere in the joints and knees.
Mind you it will be a great idea to get Jo Satriani to join them on the tour. Not as a replacement but to share the stage with Steve. After all Jo did it before and I am sure the fans would love to see a guitar legend playing with purple on the long goodbye tour.
I don’t agree Adel.
March 18th, 2017 at 10:47I wouldn’t bring my former girlfriend on a summervacation with the missus.
It would never work.
@4 Adel:
I saw the band in Hamburg with Joe Satriani and he was really fantastic!
It would be great to welcome Joe again as a “special guest”!!!
Have a nice Day!
March 18th, 2017 at 11:56That Steve has advanced osteoarthritis in his right hand is not news to me, but the fact that all the years of his intense dedication to his art and his amazing trademark technique are now taking their toll, that he is in pain and strugling, that really is heartbreaking… I have nothing but the highest respect for how he does everything to try and keep going, but I do wonder how much longer he can go on. He has been hugely important in keeping Deep Purple alive and definitely left his mark, I am definitely thankful for that.
March 18th, 2017 at 12:12@4, bless your heart Adel, now you understand where much of my pains are…. It fucking hurts. Crysanal & Tramadol help, but are not the answer. Steve would certainly have access to better drugs & therapies than I can afford…. but his joints are stuffed too!. Stem cells are the way to go for true rejuvenation, but that’s still in it’s infancy. The cure will arrive to late to save us, it’s usually the way of things. Hmmmm… Be happy!.
March 18th, 2017 at 12:29Chuck Berry has gone on ahead…. he will be sadly missed. Go Johnny go, go, go….
March 19th, 2017 at 02:32I saw the viewing of the documentary in Cardiff which had a Q & A with the film makers afterwards. No. 3, you think 30 – 40 fans is a poor showing – it was much worse here. I think an opportunity was missed to make more of this occasion. Are there not any DP fans in Cardiff/South Wales/Bristol? If so, only an actual handful turned up. Did I miss any social media advertising of it? I only knew it was happening thanks to the ‘Highway Star’ and DPAS – thanks for that btw.
March 19th, 2017 at 08:31Nevertheless, there were more film/media type students there (this was the Creative Industries faculty of the University of South Wales) and some interesting questions were asked. Great documentary though.
So sad to hear about Steev’s illnes. So great player and nice person. I saw DP 4 times in Israel. Waiting for new record and that it would non a last one..
March 19th, 2017 at 11:36@11 Scott Baker, the event wasn’t advertised enough. But advertising costs money…. T.V.& newspapers etc.
March 20th, 2017 at 00:25