Deep Purple - Stormbringer (CD 1988)

The thing I love about 'Stormbringer' is there's still a sense of progress within the bands music. Even as they moved towards the later part of their career... In a similar vein to the 'Burn' album that introduced Coverdale and Hughes to the masses. Dual vocals on 7 of the 9 tracks with one song sung solo by Coverdale and one by Hughes. The title track still rocks with the best of Purple's rockers, and 'Lady Double Dealer' also has a great groove... My favourite track 34 years ago was the ballad 'Soldier Of Fortune' and hearing it again after so many years, it is still up there with the best Purple songs. Stunning vocals from Coverdale and a beautifully crafted solo from Richie Blackmore...
There's definately a move further into the funk genre on this album, and I guess Glenn Hughes influence must have been heavily in evidence.

Incidently this was the last Deep Purple album to feature Richie Blackmore. In lots of ways I'm so glad the band moved in this direction, mainly as it showed a far greater depth, than just constantly rehashing 'In Rock' and 'Machine Head', though if my memory serves me right, the Purple faithful in the 70's were non too pleased at the direction being taken by the time this album was issued..++++++

This Deep Purple album tried to take the band into a different direction, in my opinion didn't quite achieve it. What we have with Stormbringer is a fusion of soft rock and mid 70's funk, totally unrecognisable as Deep Purple apart from David Coverdales underused voice. There are a couple of tracks I really like on this album and a couple I don't. David Coverdale and Glen Hughes each solo on ballads that are nice, which I think sums up the album. No headbanging here but plenty of finger tapping, enjoy