The Two Sheds Mix Tape 23: Deep Purple in the 90's

I think it’s safe to say that the 1990’s was a somewhat turbulent time for legendary rockers Deep Purple. Former Rainbow front man Joe Lynn Turner replaced Ian Gillan, who had been fired in 1989, with Gillan returning at the insistence of the record company and everyone else in the band apart from Ritchie Blackmore in time for the band’s 25th anniversary in 1993. Blackmore only let Gillan back in in exchange for $250,000.

Blackmore himself quit during the tour to promote their 1993 album. He was temporarily replaced by Joe Satriani, who couldn’t join permanently because of his solo obligations. This led the band to recruiting Dixie Dregs and Kansas axe man Steve Morse, who’s remained with the band to this day.

But despite all of this the band managed to produce four albums. Some say that “Slaves & Masters”, their album with Turner, isn’t a true Purple album, while their next effort, “The Battle Rages On”, is one of the most aptly named albums ever, given the ever-growing animosity between Blackmore and the rest of the band. The decade’s final two efforts, “Purpendicular” and “Abandon” are more relaxed affairs and showcase a distinct variety of styles, thanks in part to Blackmore’s departure and Morse’s influence.

So here’s fifteen songs from that era, a mixture of guitar and vocal styles. Is it all “true” Purple stuff? Does it really matter?

1) Any Fule Kno That
2) Soon Forgotten
3) Fire in the Basement
4) Solitaire
5) Almost Human
6) Somebody Stole My Guitar
7) Slow Down Sister
8) The Purpendicular Waltz
9) Love Conquers All
10) Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
11) Don’t Make Me Happy
12) Kind of Dreams
13) Ted the Mechanic
14) Bludsucker
15) The Battle Rages On

You can listen the Mix Tape by visiting https://www.mixcloud.com/julian-radbourne/the-two-sheds-mix-tape-23-deep-purple-in-the-90s/

Don't forget you can listen to the previous Mix Tapes in the series by visiting

https://www.mixcloud.com/julian-radbourne/playlists/the-two-sheds-mix-tapes/