Live In Stockholm 1970 [Original recording remastered, Best of, Live]

In response to the previous reviewer's complaint that this is just a rehashed release of "Scandinavian Nights" put out purely to make money, I thought I should write that this new release "Live in Stockholm 1970" is in fact the same show, but it is in much better sound quality than the older "Scandinavian Nights" release. The old release was sourced from a t.v. or radio broadcast, while this new release was taken directly from newly rediscovered 4-track master tapes. The previous release also had the songs in the wrong order, and that has been corrected on "Live in Stockholm 1970". If you already own an older version of this concert, you need to decide if you like it enough to pay for an upgrade in sound quality and a return to the authentic song order. However, if you don't already own it, be sure to get "Live in Stockholm 1970", and NOT "Scandinavian Nights". The performances are extremely energetic and outstanding overall. This is a much more frenetic and experimental live document of Deep Purple than the famous "Made In Japan" from only 2 years later.

Live in Stockholm 1970 is a fantastic CD made a couple of years before Made in Japan. Purple were on all cylinders, improvising and playing like no one's business. Personally, I'd rather hear Mandrake Root or Wring that Neck instead of the Mule or Space Trucking. Black Night is amazing with Ritchie stretching out - could be the best version ever! This version of Mandrake Root is without a doubt the best version ever!! Absolutely amazing! I'm not going to say that Speed King is better than Highway Star or Into the Fire makes one forget about Smoke on the Water or that this version of Child in Time is better than Made in Japan's, but I just think that once you have heard MIJ a dozen times, this album makes a great alternative. In my opinion, it is the second best live Purple album just barely behind MIJ, but only by a little.

First, let's make it clear that yes, this has been released before under the name "Scandinavian Nights." Yes, it's the same material. But this remastered release has much better sound quality and puts the tracks in their proper concert order. It also has extensive liner notes, pictures, ticket stubs, posters, etc.

Now, the music itself. This recording is from the Deep Purple In Rock era. The concert is about two and a half hours total, which is ridiculous for seven songs. Four of the songs are based more on Ian Gillan's vocals (Speed King, Into the Fire, Child in Time, Black Night) and the other three (Paint It Black, Wring that Neck, Mandrake Root) are a lot of good instrumental jamming. Wring that Neck and Mandrake Root are half an hour EACH, and Child in Time is almost twenty minutes.

The best word to describe this concert is INTENSE. Right from the first chord in the Speed King intro, you know you're in for a wild ride, and Deep Purple don't disappoint. Child in Time, Speed King, and Black Night are all longer, louder, and more energetic than the Made in Japan versions, and it's neat to see a live take of Into the Fire. Gillan does a lot more screaming than on MiJ, but he pulls it off very well. Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord tear it up the whole time.

There are several differences between this and Made in Japan. First, and most obviously, this is pre-Machine Head and consequently doesn't have the hits from that album. If you want Smoke on the Water and the like, go get Made in Japan. Second, the tracks are a lot longer than any other live Purple recording. Only two songs (Into the Fire and Black Night, which is the encore) are under ten minutes. Third, this was before the tensions in the band appeared, and so everyone is looser, more energetic, and consequently we have a much more intense show.

If you're new to Purple, get MiJ first. If you're a fan, you owe it to yourself to get this. It surpasses Made in Japan in some ways. Listen to it and you'll hear what I mean.