Label: earMUSIC/Edel 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
Improvisations are either boring as hell or simply magical, depending on whom you ask really. Hence the immortal words of Monty Phyton: Jam, Jam, Jam, Jam, Jam, Jam, Jam. It's Spam actually, but you get the idea. The latest in the long line of re-releases of the official Deep Purple (Overseas) live series by earMUSIC/Edel: Live in Stockholm 1970. Also recognized by long time fans of the band as, 'Scandinavian Nights', the unofficial vinyl version does not feature all the tracks in correct running order though.
It's raw, loud, energetic, basically jam-versions of songs such as 'Speed King', 'Child In Time', 'Wring That Neck'. The latter almost half-an-hour on my watch and the same goes for 'Mandrake Root', the early and very groovy Purple track as well as the Rod Evans co-write (Purple's original singer on the first three albums). The song goes through several different stages of hallucinogenic rock and it's no wonder considering the magical use of the darn plant (Mandrake Root).
Nontheless. I'm starting to feel mighty restless towards the 20 minute mark and the songs could and should easily have been cut down to no more than 12-14 minutes really. Sure. It's the nice soloing and improvs by Blackmore and Lord (R.I.P.), but it's just too darn long and hippie in my humble opinion. It's however nice to hear The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black' done by Purple. Bonus CD tracks are: Wring That Neck, Mandrake Roots (again) - live from Paris the same year and the Jon Lord interview. Merely 9 tracks on 2 CDs! The bonus DVD is the 25 minute long, digitally remastered version of the original VHS tape, 'Doing Their Thing - Live at Granada TV 1970'. If extended jams and hardly any plot is your kind of bag. Personally? I prefer the studio versions and the basic, strict formula.
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