Classic Rock Album of the Day- Deep Purple- Burn (1974) ****
Several reviews back I covered what was easily accepted by everybody as Deep Purples's very best album- Machine Head. #2 is a little tougher, but here is my choice- Burn from 1974. I know several out there, will disagree, but this is a fantastic album that has almost as interesting back story as the album itself. And some of my favorite Blackmore solo work as well.
This is easy one of the most controversial albums of mid '70's rock era. Everyone knew that Ritichie Blackmore had a monumental ego, but would this same guy get so anal retentive on band direction that he'd fire the vocalist and bassist that brought the ultimate of hard rock fame with Machine Head/Smoke on the Water just 2 albums prior. I personally have speculated that MH's followup... "Who do You Think We Are" was perceived as a massive though subjective failure, and that Blackmore was so embarrassed, that he went into in panic mode. Changes needed to be made, no matter how crazy they may have seemed. What many may have thought was an "off day" by a normal band was perceived by Blackmore as a massive failure.
Well yes, changes were made. and in 1974's Burn the all so familiar the pivotal sound of Ian Gillian was replaced with a more blues sounding David Coverdale. And Glen Hughes from Trapeze replaced Roger Glover. From my POV, on a technical standpoint, though Coverdale's voice was thinner, and generally not as good as Gillian's, it also better suited the sound that I think Blackmore wanted. Which was to convey to cover a more bluesier, funkier angle to the band's sound. The Glover-Hughes conversion? My theory is that Ritchie wanted more bandwidth on the vinyl. And with this and subsequent albums, the bass is much more subdued, almost in the background. Don't get me wrong, Hughes was plenty competent, and I am guessing he played along..... A stint in the band Deep Purple was about as big of a gig as it got in 1974.
So with Burn, again you get that more funky blues sound, that works very well. And, honestly, in full retrospect, Blackmore may have been a genius for doing this. Think about it...... Do you think he wanted to be 7 more albums that sounded like Machine Head? It also surprised me, that as consistently good as this particular album is, there isn't a single song that you will likely hear on the Classic Rock Stations. Maybe because this one was initially panned so badly, and no big hits emerged. This gem lives in almost anonymity. But, it wasn't the first or last time the mainstream critics got it wrong.
Fun (but bizarre) Fact: In 1970, Christopher Cross (Yes that Christopher Cross) was a touring guitarist with Deep Purple, and in fact subbed for Blackmore on one gig.
Side1-
----------
Burn- Title track comes out blasting..... The world has been introduced to Coverdale. Love how Blackmore goes into customer satisfaction mode right off the bat. All three pieces of the tandem of Blackmore, Lord, and Paice weave nicely into what may be the most familiar song stylistically with prior Purple albums- 2
Might Just Take Your Life- Now the world is introduced to more of the New Purple. Coverdale's raspy blues alternate between that and a funky direction. You now get the idea that this isn't going to be like the older stuff. 4
Lay Down, Stay Down- First the negative. I know songs can be interpreted many ways, and I really want to give the band the benefit of the doubt, but writing a song that appears to about subduing a woman for sex, is not the best topical stuff. This one is up there in Christine 16 territory, BUT.... As far as a tune, it is my favorite on the whole album. It's a barrel house rocking chaotic classic, with great Paice fills, and contains some of the best melodic Blackmore soloing on the album. 1
Sail Away- Very nice, toned down slow roller that actually allows Hughes a little time in the limelight. 5
Side 2-
-----------------
You Fool No One- Very innovative, almost latin back beat. Blackmore picks at intro, then goes into a solid rocking/blues alternation. There is a lot put into the song, that I don't think the casual listener will pick up. Some of the best syncopative rock that DP ever did, at least in my opinion. Ever thought you would hear the term Jazz undertones and Deep Purple in the same breath? 3
What's Going On Here- Barrel House blues-er that though competent, not the best on the LP. For some reason Coveradale's voice is annoying. 7
Mistreated- More blues, almost to the point of the Delta feel. They did do this one very well, and if you are more into the hard core blues thing, I think you might really like it. This one is so overstated that if you put Paul Rodgers on vocals, you might swear that Free did this one. 6
"'A' 200"- This is an instrumental in terms of enjoyable has two distinct parts (1) Their experimentation with synths was silly, but (2) Hard to dock any points on this one with one the better Blackmore solos present too. 8
Several reviews back I covered what was easily accepted by everybody as Deep Purples's very best album- Machine Head. #2 is a little tougher, but here is my choice- Burn from 1974. I know several out there, will disagree, but this is a fantastic album that has almost as interesting back story as the album itself. And some of my favorite Blackmore solo work as well.
This is easy one of the most controversial albums of mid '70's rock era. Everyone knew that Ritichie Blackmore had a monumental ego, but would this same guy get so anal retentive on band direction that he'd fire the vocalist and bassist that brought the ultimate of hard rock fame with Machine Head/Smoke on the Water just 2 albums prior. I personally have speculated that MH's followup... "Who do You Think We Are" was perceived as a massive though subjective failure, and that Blackmore was so embarrassed, that he went into in panic mode. Changes needed to be made, no matter how crazy they may have seemed. What many may have thought was an "off day" by a normal band was perceived by Blackmore as a massive failure.
Well yes, changes were made. and in 1974's Burn the all so familiar the pivotal sound of Ian Gillian was replaced with a more blues sounding David Coverdale. And Glen Hughes from Trapeze replaced Roger Glover. From my POV, on a technical standpoint, though Coverdale's voice was thinner, and generally not as good as Gillian's, it also better suited the sound that I think Blackmore wanted. Which was to convey to cover a more bluesier, funkier angle to the band's sound. The Glover-Hughes conversion? My theory is that Ritchie wanted more bandwidth on the vinyl. And with this and subsequent albums, the bass is much more subdued, almost in the background. Don't get me wrong, Hughes was plenty competent, and I am guessing he played along..... A stint in the band Deep Purple was about as big of a gig as it got in 1974.
So with Burn, again you get that more funky blues sound, that works very well. And, honestly, in full retrospect, Blackmore may have been a genius for doing this. Think about it...... Do you think he wanted to be 7 more albums that sounded like Machine Head? It also surprised me, that as consistently good as this particular album is, there isn't a single song that you will likely hear on the Classic Rock Stations. Maybe because this one was initially panned so badly, and no big hits emerged. This gem lives in almost anonymity. But, it wasn't the first or last time the mainstream critics got it wrong.
Fun (but bizarre) Fact: In 1970, Christopher Cross (Yes that Christopher Cross) was a touring guitarist with Deep Purple, and in fact subbed for Blackmore on one gig.
Side1-
----------
Burn- Title track comes out blasting..... The world has been introduced to Coverdale. Love how Blackmore goes into customer satisfaction mode right off the bat. All three pieces of the tandem of Blackmore, Lord, and Paice weave nicely into what may be the most familiar song stylistically with prior Purple albums- 2
Might Just Take Your Life- Now the world is introduced to more of the New Purple. Coverdale's raspy blues alternate between that and a funky direction. You now get the idea that this isn't going to be like the older stuff. 4
Lay Down, Stay Down- First the negative. I know songs can be interpreted many ways, and I really want to give the band the benefit of the doubt, but writing a song that appears to about subduing a woman for sex, is not the best topical stuff. This one is up there in Christine 16 territory, BUT.... As far as a tune, it is my favorite on the whole album. It's a barrel house rocking chaotic classic, with great Paice fills, and contains some of the best melodic Blackmore soloing on the album. 1
Sail Away- Very nice, toned down slow roller that actually allows Hughes a little time in the limelight. 5
Side 2-
-----------------
You Fool No One- Very innovative, almost latin back beat. Blackmore picks at intro, then goes into a solid rocking/blues alternation. There is a lot put into the song, that I don't think the casual listener will pick up. Some of the best syncopative rock that DP ever did, at least in my opinion. Ever thought you would hear the term Jazz undertones and Deep Purple in the same breath? 3
What's Going On Here- Barrel House blues-er that though competent, not the best on the LP. For some reason Coveradale's voice is annoying. 7
Mistreated- More blues, almost to the point of the Delta feel. They did do this one very well, and if you are more into the hard core blues thing, I think you might really like it. This one is so overstated that if you put Paul Rodgers on vocals, you might swear that Free did this one. 6
"'A' 200"- This is an instrumental in terms of enjoyable has two distinct parts (1) Their experimentation with synths was silly, but (2) Hard to dock any points on this one with one the better Blackmore solos present too. 8
