A CLASSIC ALBUM FROM THE 60'S ERA. A PRE METAL RELEASE FROM DEEP PURPLE. I FIRST BOUGHT THIS IN 1970. IT WAS OUT OF PRINT BACK THEN. I PLAYED IT TO DEATH. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I FOUND IT AGAIN ON A CD. I CAN PLAY IT TO DEATH ALL OVER AGAIN. EXCELLENT VOCALS,AND THE ORGAN MUSIC IS TO DIE FOR. PUT YOUR HEADPHONES ON,TURN IT UP, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS. THEN GO TRIPPING BACK DOWN TO PLACES YOU BEEN TO, TO QUOTE ANOTHER ARTIST. ENJOY! YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

Deep Purple answered to noone when creating their unique and unforgettable early symphony of organ, guitar, and vocals. The passion and youthful experimentation is readily apparent on every song. Evans, Simper, Blackmore, Lord, Paice and their medieval style of rock and roll is a gift I will appreciate always. LISTEN,LEARN, READ ON!

PURPLES 2ND ALBUM IS GREAT WITH THE CLASSICAL AND JAZZ INFLUENCE IT DISPLAYS TALENT AND IT HAS THE SONGS KENTUCKEY WOMAN LISEN LEARN READ ON AND ANTHEM ITS FABOULOUS

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

"The Book of Taliesyn" brought Deep Purple closer to the appearance of the famed and great "Mark II" line-up. Ian Gillan and Roger Glover would raise the bar even higher. Before they become part of the fold, there is the tremendous second album and the self-titled third.

"Listen, Learn, Read On" leads off the second Purple release. Possibly, by design the record starts with the shortest tune and ends with their epic cover of a Motown classic. "Listen, Learn, Read On" Features a terrific and varied vocal by Rod Evans along with a perfect guitar solo by Blackmore. Ritchie already is finding his way and it isn't only the ability to excel with his leads and fills but the perfect tone to coincide with the song.

"Hard Road" also known as "Wring That Neck" is the perfect instrumental. Blackmore is tasty with a timeless riff supported by Ian Paice's drumming and Jon Lord's in your face but not over the top keyboards.

"Kentucky Woman" is a wonderful cover to the Neil Diamond hit. Purple does a well-rounded interpretation and deserves credit for not only pulling off a well-respected interpretation but also being open-minded in their selection of non-group recordings.

"Exposition"/"We Can Work It Out" gives us two for the price of one. Starting with their own composition of high energy- merging into a slower cover of the Beatles legendary song. This is the second Beatles selection ("Help" was recorded on the first LP) they pulled off well.

"The Shield" one of the best efforts from the Purple "Mark I" line-up is also contains a superlative singing job by Rod Evans. The lyrics are intense and the clarity and conviction only further engrave them in your mind.

"Anthem" with a mid-evil keyboard sound and a Blackmore guitar that enhances the dark mood is the most overlooked composition on the record but not any lesser.

"River Deep Mountain High" has been interpreted by performers from all musical avenues. The tune partially written by record producer Phil Spector has been enjoyed not only by Motown fans (Four Tops, Supremes, and Ike & Tina Turner) but also by those having purchased records by the Animals, Harry Nilsson, and Bob Seger. Deep Purple's ten minute journey is the most adventurous of all the renditions. It could have been easily too long if they were anything less. With the Blackmore/Lord combination, it takes on a life of its own. Never is there a passage you call superfluous. A climatic ending to a great production.

Make sure to please get the remastered version with the five bonus tracks lead by "Playground." Between Blackmore's aggression, Lord's perfect keyboard, and some terrific nuances by Ian Paice it is a must listen!


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

This is a very good CD, especially "Anthem", because it's a love song, that today con be at the top!