Tag: Deep Purple

Newt’s top 10 rock albums of 1974

By Steve Newton I reckon it’s time for me to head back five decades and reminisce about what was truly rockin’ in the Year of Our Lord, 1974. I’ve listed my top ten studio albums alphabetically by title, and included three choice tracks from each disc to help you remember how wicked they really were. … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 rock albums of 1974

That time I asked Deep Purple’s Roger Glover if he still gets a buzz when the bass kicks in on “Smoke on the Water”

By Steve Newton I've interviewed Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover three times--in 1984, 1985, and 2004--because, hey, Deep Purple rules. Or they did when I was a teenager, anyway, especially on that Machine Head album. You know, the one with "Highway Star" and "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On the Water" and all that good stuff. … Continue reading That time I asked Deep Purple’s Roger Glover if he still gets a buzz when the bass kicks in on “Smoke on the Water”

Martin Birch’s finest moments with Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult

By Steve Newton If you're fan of hard rock and metal you've no doubt already heard that Martin Birch, the preeminent producer of loud rock, passed away recently at the age of 71. I've interviewed my fair share of hard-rock producers, including the formerly Vancouver-based triumvirate of Bruce Fairbairn, Bob Rock, and Mike Fraser, but … Continue reading Martin Birch’s finest moments with Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult

That time Steve Morse told me that he transforms into a different kind of person at night

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Steve Morse in May of 1991, just after he'd released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel, and just three years before he'd join his current band, Deep Purple. At one point in the conversation I brought up Steve's claim that he didn't "live, breathe, and … Continue reading That time Steve Morse told me that he transforms into a different kind of person at night

The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s

By Steve Newton Remember how you'd set the needle down on the opening track of a new rock album and the first tune would just blow you the funk away? Me too. "(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party" (Bloodshot, J. Geils Band, 1973) "All the Way From Memphis" (Mott, Mott the Hoople, 1973) "Already Gone" … Continue reading The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s

Album review: Deep Purple, Nobody’s Perfect (1988)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton If you were a teenager in the '70s, you probably remember Deep Purple's Made in Japan, the double live album that was--at least in Chilliwack anyway--the top soundtrack to house parties and cruising. Kids in the late '80s now have a live, two-disc … Continue reading Album review: Deep Purple, Nobody’s Perfect (1988)

Album review: Deep Purple, The House of Blue Light (1987)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 27, 1987 By Steve Newton Deep Purple's new album was recorded at the same studio, with the same engineer, as their 1984 reunion LP Perfect Strangers. Like Perfect Strangers, the production credits on The House of Blue Light go to "Roger Glover and Deep Purple". The vast majority … Continue reading Album review: Deep Purple, The House of Blue Light (1987)

Album review: Hughes/Thrall Band, Hughes/Thrall (1982)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 19, 1982 By Steve Newton The formation of the Hughes/Thrall band is somewhat of a marriage made in heaven for heavy-rock fanatics. Glenn Hughes, it will be remembered, was an essential driving force to the latter-day Deep Purple. His bass and vocal abilities highlighted the red-hot Burn and Stormbringer albums, … Continue reading Album review: Hughes/Thrall Band, Hughes/Thrall (1982)

Shades 1968-1998 box set delivers all the best colours of Deep Purple

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1999 By Steve Newton   I’ve been a Deep Purple fan for as long as I’ve loved rock. Fireball was among the first LPs I ever purchased and played on my parents’ crappy rec-room stereo from the ’50s. Even today, when “Highway Star” comes on the car … Continue reading Shades 1968-1998 box set delivers all the best colours of Deep Purple

Album review: Deep Purple, Come Hell or High Water (1995)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 24, 1995 By Steve Newton They’ve had plenty of time to rehearse, but Deep Purple still can’t improve on Made in Japan, the live double album that captured the hearts and minds of hard-rock hooligans back in ’73. Still, you won’t hear me complain when the band rips … Continue reading Album review: Deep Purple, Come Hell or High Water (1995)