Deep Purple - The Final Concerts (Deep Purple Mark 3) (CD 1996)

Although not a 'Purple' fanatic, I do have a lot of time for the band.. I've recently rediscovered all the things I actually loved about them first time round.. In some ways I even prefered the MK111 version to the Gillan one (I know, silly). So if you wanted to hear what the final death throws of the 3rd incarnation sounded like, then this is for you.. In actual fact it's wonderful sound quality mastered from the original tapes, and the songs themselves all seem to vear way off from the studio versions, sometimes with great results. I prefer hearing Coverdale/Hughes attacking their own period songs such as 'Stormbringer' - 'Mistreated' or 'Burn', as opposed to trying (and inevitably failing) to sing Gillan classics such as 'Smoke On The Water' and 'Space Trucking'. Though to be totally fair, even these are entertaining as they go into strange areas that the original band would never have taken them.. If you are a collector of Deep Purple music then this is highly recommended. It's got a great full colour booklet and as with all the Purple remasters etc, the sleeve notes are very informative and help to fill in many of the blanks surrounding the forever changing lineup and the internal bust up's that destroyed one of rock music's true originals. +++++