This has to be one of the finest acomplishments the band has ever produced. On a streak to release one double disc live album each year in the last half of the 90's, this is the third one to feature Steve Morse on guitar, and it's their best one to feature him if not one of their best in the band's 30+ years history. With the orchestra in tow and a wide range of special guests, the band perform a unique concert, showcasing not only the band's music, but music from each of the members solo outings as well. Opening up with the John Lord penned Pictured Within, featuring a guest vocalist, it's a soft piano track backed by the orchestra. A big surprise is when the most noticable special vocalist, Ronnie James Dio comes on and sings not one but two songs. Sitting In A Dream and Love Is All, both sounding awesome. John Lord showcases about the first 4 songs because Ian Gillan and the rest of Purple don't really surface until about the 5th track, with the Ian Gillan penned Via Miami, a spunky little number that will get your toes tappin'. Steve Morris not Steve Morse comes on to play guitar on That's Why God Is Singing The Blues but Steve Morse returns with the Steve Morse band to do The Dixie Dregs Take It Off The Top, a smokin' version indeed. Well with all the non Deep Purple tracks out of the way, and all the various special guests done, Deep Purple and the LSO can get busy doing the band's material. Starting with the early instrumental jam of Wring That Neck, the band is on fire only to ignite during the fantastic Pictures Of Home. The 2nd Cd opens up with the bands Concerto For Group And Orchestra in 3 movements. While it clocks in at almost 45 minutes, it's killer, alot better than when they attempted this 30 years ago. Everybody is in fine form. After that some Steve Morse era Purple tracks are performed. Ted The Mechanic, Watching The Sky and Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming, again all played excellently. The finale is a no-brainer, Smoke On The Water, but it's interesting how the orchestra backs the band up and how Ian Gillan hands the mic over to Roger Glover for lead vocals. It must be heard to be believed. Well I've rambled on for too long, if you like Deep Purple or classical music, you will not be dissapointed by this.

the reviewers below dont know what would they say,......this cd is a remake of concerto for group orchestra what the band did in 1969. the place took in the royal albert hall london 1999. I saw the performance in germany 2000 with the george enescu orchestra.
The result is amazing,...buy the cd!

In celebration of their thirty year anniversary of their first orchestral alliance, Deep Purple gives their fans another reason to cheer with a two disc set recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra. I wasn't to sure what to expect when I gave this a spin. I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it actually was. Your first thought may be-"Oh no, another rock dinosaur making a feeble attempt at a comeback." I've got news, Deep Purple never left, and they haven't found it necessary to ever make a comeback. They are, and remain, one the greatest rock bands on the face of the earth. Their immense, and now historic, catalog holds up quite well today as well.

What's a big surprise is the Steve Morse Band's performance, this is a Deep Purple record right? Well, Morse is a member of the group, in fact, an integral part of the Deep Purple picture. Some of the best guitar work that Morse ever did was with the Dixie Dregs. He proceeds to crank out a rousing version of "Take It Off The Top", one of the most recognizable instrumental numbers the group ever did. That just sweetens the pie.

The orchestra is exceptional in making the necessary transitions to coexist with a rock band. The marriage between rock and classical is now a common occurrence thanks to the groundbreaking efforts and strides the group made thirty years ago. After all, isn't rock and roll Beethoven, just played faster?

The only track that doesn't work is Ronnie James Dio singing "Love Is All", it's just not his cup of tea. Ian Gillian would have been much more appropriate for that number, Dio is more of a rock singer than anything else, with limited range and diversity. That's the only downfall of the entire set in my opinion. The rest is a total triumph. Most people don't realize what this group initiated by playing with an orchestra thirty years ago. Think of all the progressive rock groups that were to follow, and consequent rock operas. It all works so beautifully. Some of the guitar work is incredibly inspiring. Wait until you hear "Smoke On The Water" with horns, I got chills!

This is a classic for the ages that shouldn't be missed by any music fan, young and old alike. Your appreciation for the parallels existent in all music, will be awakened and realized once you hear this fantastic and electrifying performance.

Keith Hannaleck June 08, 2000 MuzikMan's Sound Script

DEEP PURPLE, one of the the heaviest and the oldest rock band since 30 years their long live career. This cd is a new version of the 29th Anniversary of the Royal Albert hall in London 1969. In 1969 DP had played with the orcestra for the very first time. Today in 1999 they appeared again in the same hall by celebrating their 30th Anniversary. John Lord is still the big hero. This cd is very cool and super absolutely number one! Smoke on the water's been played for the first time with the horns and the whole orchestra....the result is WONDERFULL! SPECTACULAR! IAN GILLAN sang amazingly,....Pictures of home is a good number, the Arrangement Orchestra is perfect for the songs Pictures of home, some times I feel like screaming, and of course SOEM ON THE WATER,...which featured IAN GILLAN & RONNIE JAMES DIO on duet Vocals. Let'S forget Led Zeppelin, forget Bob Seger, Eagles, Fleedwodd Mac, all the commercial bands.... THIS BAND IS A SYMBOL OF ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME FOR OVER 30 YEARS their career,...see ya on the next tour guys! We love ya your immortal FAns

yes this is Deep Purple with the Mark 7 line up; Steve Morse on the banjo. This cd is a remake of the old CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1969. The new remake of the Concerto is much more powerful and innovative. I said innovative because Deep Purple had put on the bonus tracks of their new studio albums PURPENDICULAR & ABANDON in 1996 and 1998. The result is absolutely amazing and fascinating, there are alots of solo projects from 5 PURPLE members, which include on this pretty album. John Lord's own composition like Pictured within which opened the set on the first track, sounds very amazing. Ian Gillan's own composition like that's why god singing the blues sounds very innovative and gently, Roger Glover's own composition like Butterfly ball sounds absolutely brightly. And don't forget that Ronnie james dio had sung duet with Gillan on the final incredible Smoke on the water. Many Deep Purple fans are very happy with this cd. LONG LIVE DP.