Deep Purple at their best: new guitarist, fresh vigor
Compared to his comrades, Deep Purple’s new guitarist is about thirty years younger. In the dpa interview with Simon McBride, singer Ian Gillan discusses the changes that result from this.
Album of the Week – New guitarist, new energy: Deep Purple at their best
Ians Gillan is quite happy. The 78-year-old singer is excited about his band’s new record, Deep Purple, after more than 50 years in the music business and more than a dozen albums together. The singer told the German Press Agency in London, “It’s not always like this.” “But in this case absolutely, yes, I’m very excited.”
The new guitarist’s studio debut
As a matter of fact, the veterans’ most recent record, “=1” (pronounced “equals one”), is fire. It’s the first studio album featuring guitarist Simon McBride, who joined Deep Purple permanently in 2022 after Steve Morse left the band for personal reasons. At forty-five, McBride is the youngest member of the band. The lone constant in the band’s more than half-century career is drummer Ian Paice, who is 76, bassist Roger Glover, 78, and singer Don Airey, 76.
Gillan teases his new bandmate, who wasn’t even alive when iconic albums like “Deep Purple In Rock” or “Machine Head” were published, saying, “He’s just a kid, isn’t he?” Long ago, McBride experienced her fiery baptism by Deep Purple at innumerable concerts. Additionally, his influence can be heard on the most recent record.
Renewed vigor for the group
“He’s got enough energy for the whole group,” Gillan chuckles. “He inspires me with his boundless enthusiasm. And I think that’s what the music conveys. I liken it to a sports team, like a football team, where the addition of a new player causes the entire team to play differently. A star player is not required.”
Just as the song “Show Me” opens, the rookie and keyboardist Airey get into an exhilarating duel. At least on his debut Deep Purple studio album, McBride seems to be more focused on basic hard rock than his adaptable predecessor Morse, who helped to develop Deep Purple’s style for nearly three decades and added elements of jazz and blues.
Great tunes, versatile hard rock style
Overall, “=1” sounds more intense and powerful than the hard rock pioneers’ previous, rather plodding releases. It also has a ton of excellent music. With a fierce guitar solo and crazy, progressive keyboard antics by Airey, “A Bit On The Side” soars. With a trademark Purple atmosphere and a thick Hammond organ, “Portable Door” is a riff-rocker. With an amazing symphonic conclusion, “If I Were You” leaves you in awe.
Everything sounds consistent even though it is versatile. That’s most likely what the title represents as well. “For me, this album is really organic”, comments Gillan. “It feels natural and has an unfiltered energy.” This was greatly influenced by longtime collaborator of Deep Purple, producer virtuoso Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss, Alice Cooper). “I’ve always been a fan of Bob’s sound since we started working together” , says Gillan. “He’s just fantastic.”
78-year-old singer Gillan in peak form
Ian Gillan, who is still in remarkable vocal form at nearly eighty, is partly to blame for the new material’s unmistakable Deep Purple sound. The singer admits modestly, “I think my voice sounds better on the new record than ever before.” He is able to pay for it. Gillan astonishes even with her loud screaming in “Old-Fangled Thing” and the fast-paced, driving “Now You’re Talking”. “It recently surfaced. It wasn’t something I planned.”
According to the leader, who has been performing with Deep Purple from 1969 to 1973, from 1984 to 1989, and continually since 1992, he has expressed his disapproval with his voice during his career. “The whole thing with growing older was quite disappointing back then” , he recalls. “I can no longer perform ‘Child in Time’ live.
Up until I was approximately 38 years old, ‘Child In Time’ went smoothly,” he remembers. Then my voice completely changed, becoming strained all of a sudden. And the sweetness had been replaced with a strained tone.” Gillan claims that he has discovered a better sound in his middle vocal range. “It really works great.”
Fresh zeal rather than retirement
A few years ago, Deep Purple seemed like they were getting ready to retire. “The Long Goodbye” was the name of their 2019 tour. But there’s no more talking about saying goodbye. On the contrary, it continues without stop. The band is currently touring Europe. It travels directly from Europe to America and back again. There are a number of concerts in Germany in October.
Ian Gillan remarks, “The band has a lot of enthusiasm.” “Don’t we want to hold on to everything? We’re not just going through the motions, in my opinion. It still has vitality and swing, and it has its reasons.” “=1” is the evidence they required to conclude that Deep Purple is still far from retiring. The hard rock heavyweight’s 23rd studio album is their strongest release in a long time.
- The 78-year-old singer of Deep Purple, Ian Gillan, shows his satisfaction by telling the German Press Agency in London how excited he is about the band’s latest record.
- The first studio album by guitarist Simon McBride, who joined Deep Purple in 2022 after Steve Morse retired for personal reasons, may be found on the band’s latest album, “=1”.
- Deep Purple, who have been in the music business for more than 50 years and have released over a dozen albums, are now regarded as rock and hardrock veterans; Don Airey, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice are 76, 78, and 76, respectively.
- As the newest member of the band, Simon McBride brings fresh energy and creativity to Deep Purple’s new song, which combines classic hard rock elements with adaptability.
- The new album has a unified sound and an organic vibe, thanks in large part to the production skills of legendary Deep Purple collaborator Bob Ezrin. Ian Gillan’s outstanding vocal performance is still a distinctive aspect of the Deep Purple sound.
Despite being considered as rock and hardrock pioneers for more than 50 years, “=1” is being hailed by critics as Deep Purple’s best album in years, demonstrating their continued passion and dedication to the music industry.
