Deep Purple
By Mike O’Cull
Full-tilt rock legends Deep Purple show the world how they spent their Covid lockdown time with a new all-covers album called Turning To Crime. The record comes out November 26th, 2021 on earMUSIC and marks the first time DP has put out music that was written outside of the band. Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Kiss, Pink Floyd) produced the songs the group reinvented in their own image. It’s really quite a diverse list that includes selections from Love, early Fleetwood Mac, Little Feat, Cream, The Yardbirds, and Johnny Horton, among others. Purple recorded the songs remotely due to Covid restrictions but the set’s vibe is overwhelmingly live and roof-raising. The group made the best of the bad situation we all woke up in with the pandemic and proved they can still deliver the goods on any song they feel like playing.
Turning To Crime is Deep Purple’s 22nd studio effort and continues a body of work few bands will ever equal. Their impact on rock music has been so immense that it’s tough to imagine where we’d be without them. Purple helped create the very ideas of hard rock and metal in the 1970s and, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and are often considered part of the “unholy trinity” of British rock. Iconic tracks like “Smoke On The Water,” “Highway Star,” “Space Truckin’,” and “Woman From Tokyo” became major parts of the classic rock era and helped Purple sell more than 100 million albums. They were also listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest band in the world. Clearly, a mark has been made. The present Deep Purple lineup of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Steve Morse still packs a ton of muscle and is nowhere near finished creating epic music.
Every track on Turning To Crime seems to come from lifetimes spent loving rock and roll. Love’s 1966 psychedelic hit “7 And 7 Is” is dramatic and goes hard into a swirling vortex of notes and images that are still compelling. Steve Morse turns in a cool, atmospheric guitar solo, Don Airey shreds some synth, and Ian Gillan’s vocals soar across the top. Peter Green-period Fleetwood Mac’s mysterious and cryptic “Oh Well” is mighty, indeed, and shows how strong the band is as an ensemble. The ever-shifting arrangement hits like one big uppercut before winding down in soundtrack mode. Purple is beyond impressive here and will kickstart your soul in a hurry.
Mitch Ryder’s high-powered “Jenny Take A Ride” becomes even more so in DP’s hands and represents pure rock and roll bliss. Purple puts a tough spin on it but it’s still nothing but a party. Louis Jordan’s old-school blues jumper “Let The Good Times Roll” is wonderfully out of character for this bunch and shows the depth and musicality they carry in their collective hip pocket. It gets a little heavier than you’ve probably heard it done before but it’s all good and nothing but fun. Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken” is another song you’d never expect a band like Purple to play but they do a great job with it and it sure keeps the party vibes flowing. Ian Paice drops his best funk pocket and pushes the band right where they need to go. Paice shines all over these tracks and does prime work shifting into styles like this that Purple typically doesn’t do.
One of the most unexpected covers on the new record is a British folk/rock retelling of Johnny Horton’s 1959 country hit “The Battle Of New Orleans.” Purple changes the entire character of the song, making it a lot more musical, and yet gives it a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s quite entertaining. Morse’s guitar figure in the head section is particularly sweet and all involved with the track seem like they’re having as much of a good time as possible given the remote circumstances. It’s doubtful that Deep Purple will turn into a full-time cover band but Turning To Crime is one heck of an enjoyable album from one of rock’s all-time great outfits. Crank it up like you know you should.
Watch “Oh Well”
Turning To Crime pre-order link
Deep Purple website
Amazing album and Steve Morse makes you forget about Richie
Apart from anything else this is a great sounding record. Bob Erin knows how to record these fantastic players. Hammond organ, guitar and piano just burst through the speakers. The song selection is true to the bands rock n roll roots and contemporaries such as Cream (whom they supported in the US) but adds some new arrangements/colour. Ian G splashes gallons of swagger over the vocals. The only thing that’s “criminal” about it … I can’t turn it up as loud as I would like – neighbours! A band revisiting the music which formed them and obviously lovin’ every moment. (I did spot 2 bars of Smoke OTW and many bars of Led Zepp/Willie Dixon? at the close)
The vinyl double album is 45rpm. Thats a first. Thought I was losing my marbles when I listened to it for the first time.
Purple have played songs from these genres before and always done them well but I’d never thought they’d play some of these songs.
God they’re brilliant musos as well as great blokes.
Oh well! What can you say.
Paicey is brilliant on drums and Don Airey’s piano gives it that old time rock and roll feel.
Love it.
Simply put, this is a great album, from a bunch of guys who enjoying performing together whether in person or remotly. They have walked the walk and talked the talk and have the credentials to back it up!
I purchased the vinyl and it sounds great on my vintage turn table, the same one I first listened to Machene Head on back in the day!
The songs are fun and lively covers that are 100% Deep Pruple.
Sit back and enjoy!