Live at the Mars' Fields, Wroclaw, May 1st, 2009
Set List:
Highwat Star
Things I Never Said
Wrong Man
Strange Kind Of Woman
Rapture Of The Deep
Fireball
Contact Lost - Steve Morse Solo
Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
Well Dressed Guitar
Wring That Neck
The Battle Rages On
Don Airey Solo - Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin'
Smoke On The Water
Southern Rock Wobble - Hush - Paice Solo
Glover Solo - Black Night
Well, I must admit that as far as I do not support Mk VIII in their approach to the live shows, I certainly enjoyed going to their gig in my hometown. I went with no expectations to be surprised or thrilled at all, which is in a way typical when you go to the tribute band concert. And this is certainly The Best Tribute Band in the world that you ever can go to see. So it was quite much fun. Good to listen, lovely to sing and jump around to the beloved songs. Capable of making the die hard Purple conservative enjoying himself for a moment.
I decided to group my observations in the plus (+) and minus (-) - easier to put it down this way.
[+]
- Rapture Of The Deep - this always reminds me of a"Stargazer" a bit and live it really sways. Great live staple off the last album.
- Wring That Neck had a little extended bit of Airey - Morse duel in the middle, probably to help Gillan to catch more breath as his voice was struggling. I guess they learned the trick during Sunflower Jam, can't be sure 'cause I only have read the reviews. Nothing stunning craftwise, but it was a nice bit reminding of a good times 10-11 years before, when they used to mess around the songs a minute or two
- The Battle Rages On - slowed down in pace to the typicall takes, it became a monsterous crawler. Amazing, ripping into the ground, truly hypnotic. The biggest highlight of the show. Stunning.
- Don Airey's solo spot - wonderful, even if totally predictible. Lovely portion of the spacey moog, a lot of Chopin bits on the coloured piano, some boogie, national anthem and no Star Wars (yeah!!!). Just perfect, appreciated by the crowd and yours truly.
- Smoke... - the ending with Airey having a solo - nice reminder of the best Purple live album.
- Black Night - this is always exciting when the 10 000 + throats sing it around. A showcase track for Glover and Morse, a lot of good playing and bits of improv - Steve even threw in a chorus from Queen's We Will Rock You - it took a few bars for the crowd to recognize it. Plus a great audience - Steve duel for the very end
- spontaneous reaction of the crowd; typically those who drop in to Purple concerts ocassionally were stuned with what they saw and heard
[-]
- Ian Gillan's voice, mid song banter and stage antics - below any standards as for him. He did his best to hide the bad throat day, but it was obvious that he will suffer on this four nights in a row string. Perhaps the days of saving the voice are over. All in all, this is just another 'The Best Of Tour'. The banter forumula is 'play one -> repeat' CD programme, some of the stage moves show that his libido might be very unfulfilled. Not a very inspiring shape of the legend really
- Don Airey's solos in-songs: no improvising, just copying Lord's parts from records. In the context of Purple prased live formula this is the hardest crime. Sound of the Hammond was, especially at the start, very thin, but luckilly got improved as the set went on.
- the selection of material from the Morse's era was apalling. If "Things I Never Said", "Contact Lost" and "Wrong Man" are the most representative tunes for the 15 years period of Steve's tenure - then passing on the condolences to the band is really worth a tought.
- "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming" still suffers from the slaughtered ending. Even a single version from 1996 single had a better arrangement. Shame.
- Wring That Neck had a little extended bit of Airey - Morse duel in the middle, probably to help Gillan to catch more breath as his voice was struggling. I guess they learned the trick during Sunflower Jam, can't be sure 'cause I only have read the reviews. Nothing stunning craftwise, but it was a nice bit reminding of a good times 10-11 years before, when they used to mess around the songs a minute or two
- The Battle Rages On - slowed down in pace to the typicall takes, it became a monsterous crawler. Amazing, ripping into the ground, truly hypnotic. The biggest highlight of the show. Stunning.
- Don Airey's solo spot - wonderful, even if totally predictible. Lovely portion of the spacey moog, a lot of Chopin bits on the coloured piano, some boogie, national anthem and no Star Wars (yeah!!!). Just perfect, appreciated by the crowd and yours truly.
- Smoke... - the ending with Airey having a solo - nice reminder of the best Purple live album.
- Black Night - this is always exciting when the 10 000 + throats sing it around. A showcase track for Glover and Morse, a lot of good playing and bits of improv - Steve even threw in a chorus from Queen's We Will Rock You - it took a few bars for the crowd to recognize it. Plus a great audience - Steve duel for the very end
- spontaneous reaction of the crowd; typically those who drop in to Purple concerts ocassionally were stuned with what they saw and heard
[-]
- Ian Gillan's voice, mid song banter and stage antics - below any standards as for him. He did his best to hide the bad throat day, but it was obvious that he will suffer on this four nights in a row string. Perhaps the days of saving the voice are over. All in all, this is just another 'The Best Of Tour'. The banter forumula is 'play one -> repeat' CD programme, some of the stage moves show that his libido might be very unfulfilled. Not a very inspiring shape of the legend really
- Don Airey's solos in-songs: no improvising, just copying Lord's parts from records. In the context of Purple prased live formula this is the hardest crime. Sound of the Hammond was, especially at the start, very thin, but luckilly got improved as the set went on.
- the selection of material from the Morse's era was apalling. If "Things I Never Said", "Contact Lost" and "Wrong Man" are the most representative tunes for the 15 years period of Steve's tenure - then passing on the condolences to the band is really worth a tought.
- "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming" still suffers from the slaughtered ending. Even a single version from 1996 single had a better arrangement. Shame.
***
Overall impression? A decent show, if only you can go for it leaving any expectations for being thrilled, excited or surprised in your home. Or if they just stumple upon your city - when they're near - you could go, see them and have some fun. Would I recommend anybody going to see them to score the musical and spiritually exhilarating expirience? By any means no. These days are over now. Could be fun for the casul audience, but nothing really to brag about in front of the long-time followers.
(C) (P) Martin Karski, May 2nd, 2009
