Classic rock legends, DEEP PURPLE, have embraced the DVD format like no other musical acts before them. As of 2003, they’ve released no less than 7 separate DVD titles (COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, PERIHELION, TOTAL ABANDON: AUSTRAILIA ’99, BOMBAY CALLING: LIVE IN BOMBAY, CLASSIC ALBUMS: MACHINEHEAD, and IN CONCERT WITH THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) with most of them being recent concerts that capture the excitement of a live DEEP PURPLE set. Much like fellow British rock icons PINK FLOYD, the band (still composed of core members Ian Gillian-vocals, Roger Glover-bass, Jon Lord-keyboards, Ian Paice-drums and ex-KANSAS guitarist Steve Morse), have always had a unique and often mysterious visual presentation on stage and on their album covers. Because of this visual aspect of the band, they’ve always been sure to record even their earliest performances for the hard rock archives. Insides the DEEP PURPLE video vaults lay hundreds of hours or rare concert and promo footage sure to send DP fans into fits of ecstasy. With this in mind, the band have put together over 2 hours of digitally remastered rare footage on a digital video disc and christened it DEEP PURPLE: NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION.

The show begins in 1984 with the DEEP PURPLE Mark II reformation for the PERFECT STRANGERS album. The DVD kicks off with a smokin’ rendition of Black Night from a Sydney, Australia performance, with the temperamental Ritchie Blackmore looking fairly content. Next we get the music video for Knockin at Your Back Door. Back to another live clip circa 1985, Nobody’s Home, followed by another 1985 live performance clip from a Paris show, Gypsy’s Kiss. Then we are treated to the rare uncut MTV-style videos for Bad Attitude, Call of the Wild, and Hush. In the late 1980’s, Ian Gillan left the band again and was replaced for one album by former RAINBOW front man Joe Lynn Turner. Representing this era of the band are two video promos, King of Dreams, and the ballad Love Conquers All. Up until this point, NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION features Ritchie Blackmore on guitars and judging by the dissatisfaction on the man’s face with each and every song, you can sense his disillusionment. He officially left the band in 1993, and after Joe Satriani sat in during the current tour, the band ultimately selected Steve Morse as the permanent replacement. The rest of this DVD features the newly rejuvenated line-up with Morse, who demonstrates he certainly can match the talents of Blackmore (and without the massive ego). This formation of DEEP PURPLE cranks out their classics such as Woman From Tokyo, Speed King, Fireball, Smoke on the Water, Ted the Mechanic, Lazy, When A Blind Man Cries, Bloodsucker, and Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming. Also included are some recent compositions like Perpendicular Waltz, No One Came, and Fools.

These remastered video and live segments, even the ones dating back to the 1980s, are very clear and offer depth and clarity. There is only one live clip that exhibits video noise and distortion; not a bad ratio considering there is about 30 different sources on display here. Except for the promo videos, the visual source elements are all from video tape, and are presented in the 1.33.1 ratio. The black levels are perfectly calibrated, providing luster for the dark on-stage footage and anchoring the colorful stage lights. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 sound rendering the songs with near-CD fidelity. There is some slight background noise and distortion and its only fitting considering the sound is captured from live concert halls. Interestingly, you can detect the different levels of reverb applied on Ian Gillan’s unique vocals. His voice cuts through the instrumentation on many songs, yet is buried in others. The soundtrack is plagued by inconsistent mixing levels, but that’s more attributed to the imperfect nature of a live show. The NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION features an abundance of extras, including three bonus tracks such as the Under the Gun promo video, a live version of Hush (from their Australian tour), and a montage of Fire in the Basement and Fire, Ice, and Dynamite. The latter selection includes behind-the scenes studio and tour footage that reveals the band’s fondness for Soccer. From the Special Features menu, you can access the Photo Gallery (consisting of multiple shots of each member jamming on stage) and Bios for the following personnel:

• Ian Gillan
• Ritchie Blackmore
• Roger Glover
• Ian Paice
• John Lord
• Joe Lynn Turner
• Steve Morse
• Joe Satriani

NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION delivers on its promises with the material presented in such a fashion as to differentiate itself from a single live performance. I find it more interesting than a standalone live show (something they already have plenty of on DVD). This is not really a documentary, and there is no narration. Yet, all the songs are presented in chronological order and if you are familiar with the history of these hard rock juggernauts, this is a perfect companion piece to chronicle the DEEP PURPLE Mark II reunion. However, I find it a bit odd that the band would put out a DVD like this and only cover the second half of their storied career. Shouldn’t there be a NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION covering the inception of the band and their rise to greatness? Perhaps they are saving this for the future, but it would make sense to release that first and then call this DVD NEW LIVE AND RARE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION PART 2.

DEEP PURPLE: NEW, LIVE, & RARE: VIDEO COLLECTION is available from DVDEmpire.com