Listen Learn Read On [Best of, Original recording remastered, Box set]

I recently listened to this box set again over the course of two weekends. Delving into the gorgeous box, 6 CDs, 120 pages of text, pictures, and credits, I felt fully immersed in a Purple world. Of all the Deep Purple box sets, and there are a lot of them, this one truly is a must. Covering the years of Deep Purple's first era (1968-1976) plus surprises, there has never been a more comprehensive set of rarities and album cuts by this band.

Starting off with solo tracks by each member of the first four versions of Deep Purple, I never had any of these tracks before except for the one by Episode Six. I was really impressed with The Outlaws' (featuring Blackmore) version of "Keep A Knocking". It was also great to finally have "Medusa" by Trapeze.

After a handful of tracks by Deep Purple Mk I, the set really begins. Ian Gillan and Roger Glover helped create an entire new beast. Before too long we're immersed in demos, rare live versions, remasters, outtakes and the odd album cut. My only complaint was that "Speed King" is not included in its album version, as I think it is superior to the two versions included. Suitable to this version of Purple, disc three kicks off with the 30 minute version of "Mandrake Root" from the 1970 Stockholm concert. Through Fireball, Machine Head, and Who Do We Think We Are, you can hear the band grow, experiment, and eventually stagnant. However, by the end of disc 4, David COverdale and Glenn Hughes are on board. The band was revitalized with the Burn album, however not changed in their jamming tendencies. Disc five contains the 30 minute version of "Space Truckin'" from the Gaumont, and an unreleased 12 minute version of "Mistreated", as well as an 18 minute version of "You Fool No One".

The final disc contains some then-unreleased quad mixes from Stormbringer (now available in a surround sound DVD) and the final recordings of the band. Tommy Bolin replaces Blackmore, and there is material here from his first rehearsals (from the Days May Come CD). By the time the Last Concert In Japan material hits the speakers, you are overwhelmed and exhausted by the majesty of Deep Purple. Simon Robinson wisely ended the set with a remastered verion of "You Keep On Moving".

Robinson's liner notes are, of course, detailed and exemplary. It will take you as long to finish them as it will to listen to this monstrous set.

5 stars. The buck stops here, this is the one.

It is not uncommon for many rock groups with a long career to release boxsets after being around for quite a while, but boxsets have often been disappointing and a waste of hard-earned cash. Why? Most boxsets tend to be highly priced, with CDs containing all the songs that an ardent fan would already have in his/her collection. However, this is DEFINITELY NOT the case for this Deep Purple boxset. Listen Learn Read On is a little piece of treasure in its own right. Unlike most boxsets that tend to compile a 'greatest hits' package, this 6-CD collection goes through every aspect of Deep Purple's career in the 1970s, from its pre-existing days (looking into the previous works of individual band members prior to joining the band), and through its evolement from MK1 to MK4. This collection not only contains rare, previously unreleased tracks but also hard-to-find live performances. Accompanying the 6 CDs is a book that serves as an excellent companion to this boxset. From lead vocalist Rod Evans to Ian Gillan to David Coverdale, from guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to Tommy Bolin, from bassist Nick Simper to Roger Glover to Glenn Hughes, and of course not forgetting our favourite organist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice, this accompanying book leaves nothing out and can arguably be described as one of the best Deep Purple autobiography ever written. Listen, learn, read on... as this boxset's title aptly described, is exactly what one should do. Buy this boxset! Trust me... you will never regret!

if you are a die hard Deep Purple fan like some reviewers below and of course like me too! you will love this pearl collection songs of deep purple. The 6 discs are 24 bit remastered songs, some of the quadraphonix songs like Never before, High ball shooter, soldier of fortune, stormbringer, Fools, Highway star are never issued on any cd format before.
Once again, the pearl collection songs are dedicated to "die hard and long time deep purple fans". If you aren't! perhaps you know the only one song of DP such as Smoke on the water! then please keep away your fingers from this, because you won't surely like them all. On the other hand, the most die hard DP fans would like the whole set for sure.