OFF: Deep Purple in concert

[Nick English]

Saw Deep Purple -- with Scorpions and Dio -- in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.  Awesome show, with the exception of Scorpions. . . but that's just my taste.

Actually, compared with DP, Dio wasn't that hot either, but he put on a capable show.  Did NOT play "Rainbow in the Dark", interestingly enough.  Did play both "Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock and Roll" from his Rainbow days, plus "Heaven and Hell" from Sabbath.  Three new cuts from the new album:  "Killing the Dragon", "Scream" and "Rock and Roll" -- which he said was a reaction to September 11th and the ensuing attempts to censor music.

Scorpions were probably good if you like them.  I personally don't.  I had two or three of their albums in the early '80s, but got over them quickly.  A lot of "guitarist jumps up on drum riser and places guitar between legs" schtick.  Lots of lighters in the air during "Wind of Change", etc.

Deep Purple really kicked ass.  Ian Gillan was pretty energetic and, as always, funny.  When introducing "KNocking at Your Back Door", he informed us he couldn't tell us what the song was about, because it's very naughty. . . but he added that it's something that "sometimes makes your eyes water."

They played nothing from Abandon and only "Ted the Mechanic" from Purpendicular.  Everything else was pre-Steve Morse, except for a new song they're working on for their next album.  It's an instrumental called "The Well-Dressed Guitar", and it was REALLY good, from what I heard.

John Lord broke into the "Star Wars" theme during his solo, which was kinda bizarre, but a lot of people were jazzed.

Encores were "Hush" and "Highway Star".

Great show overall.

--Nick