I bought this as an expected upgrade for a vinyl copy that I've had for years. I wasted my money for the most part. While the set is tight and the content of this album include some of the most amazing playing by the MK II line up of Deep Purple, the mastering for digital is horrible. Every instrument is a separate entity removed the other 4 band members. Instruments sound flat.

As I've stated, I own the vinyl version of this album released in the early 80's. On that recording, the band sound like a single unit. Each instrument is overlayed perfectly. All players working to weave together the ultimate sonic tapestry. Blackmore and Lord interplay masterfully. Each let the other solo, within the excess that made Deep Purple the ultimate jam session band. What's great, though, is the mix. Each solo instrument comes out of nowhere. Each rhythm instrument holds a steady place and binding the solos together. The vinyl version deserves 5 stars just for the version of Lazy. On vinyl, the recording of Lazy maybe the best live version of anything ever recorded. Anything! It is incredible. For those true collectors of excellent recordings, you should look for the 2 LP recording. While finding a vinyl recording of this release may be almost impossible late in the 90's, this is worth the search.

While this recording offers some bonus tracks not included in the vinyl release, it ultimately fails. This recording deserves better. I'd love to see it remastered. Remastered to sound like the LP. That, with the bonus track would allow me to give it the 5 stars, this recording deserves.

Some people may disagree with me, but this is my favourite Deep Purple Cd, I like it better than even Made in Japan primarily due to the earlier disc recorded BEFORE the first Mk2 album. The recorded and mastered sound isn't the best, but both Cd's never fail to make the hairs on my arms stand on end.

This was originally released as a double LP in 1980. There were no liner notes and the two LP's were crammed into one sleeve. The first LP is from a 1970 concert and the second is from 1972. It was long for LP standards, with each side lasting 25 to 28 minutes. For the CD, two songs have been added to the second disc, Highway Star and Mabye I'm A Leo. The sound quality is OK but not great. The first disc has hissing noises during quiet spots and the second CD doesn't have great dynamic range, especially when compared to Made In Japan. Deep Purple has had better live albums, unfortunately, one of them is not currently available.

The first disc comes from the tour to support the album In Rock. At this time, Deep Purple was really a jamming band, with almost no boundaries. On this disc, Wring That Neck and Mandrake Root are stretched to 18 minutes each. The performances are good, but not the best on record. At only 18 minutes, it sounds like Wring That Neck was cut off half way through. The version of Child In Time is fairly bland and short at only 10 minutes.

A much better album from 1970 is called "Live and Rare". Do not confuse that with the "New Live and Rare". On "Live and Rare", Wring That Neck is 35 minutes long. There are some slow spots, but there are areas of genius. Mandrake Root is just under 30 minutes and is completely intense throughout. The version of Speed King blazes for 10 minutes, and is the best I have ever heard. Child In Time is 17 minutes long and really rocks from beginnig to end.

The second disc comes from same tour as Made In Japan, only it is earlier in the tour. I think the band got better during this tour as time went on. I think Made In Japan is far superior in the performance and the sound quality. The only thing In Concert has going for it is 2 extra songs that don't appear elsewhere live.

Live and Rare is currently out of print. If you can't find Live and Rare and don't already have Made in Japan, this is a good CD to get. But get the domestic version, which is half the price.

Note that Deep Purple admits to "borrowing" the beginning of Child In Time from It's A Beautiful Day's Bombay Calling. Wring That Neck is a rip off of It's A Beautiful Day's Don and Dewey

I saw Deep Purple at 14 in 1985, on the Perfect Stangers tour. This was, argueably, their last great album. The show was great and my little ears, covered by neo-hippie fur--seemed fun for a geeky handicapped kid at the time-were ringing. Great Show.

But hearing this, I can't help think I missed the real deal, both as to the 60s, and Deep Purple. By the time I saw them, synthasizers were taking over for organs, and even the hardest rock was getting glossy. Deep Purple were competing with Loverboy and Motley Crue, not King Crimson and Led Zeppelin. Making hard rock songs into long, jazzy improvosations was as passe as six inch wide leather watch bands or thinking the sociopathic Hells Angels were your hippie pals

Luckily, we have this set. This caputres the mighty Deep in both 1970 and 1972. That two year gap is informative. The 1970 gigs feature tracks like "Speed King' and "Mandrake Root." Heavy as they are--and it is hard to comprehend now how heavy this sounded in 1970--these tracks open up, and allow Lord and Blackmore to spin long, jazzy solos.

The foundation is blues, and anphetamine blues at that, but what these players put on top definately has a jazz fluidity. Glover provides his usual anchor, brilliant in its spareness, and listen to Pace--he nails you to the wall, but swings like a jazz player. Listen to the rim taps on 'Speed King." All from a little bookish guy with glasses. Hats off.

The 1972 gigs are more song oritented, all the goodies from Fireball and Machine Head. These don't quite have the open feel of the '70 shows, but the writting is more complex and the playing brillant.

The album is very explosive and spontanious.

Ian Gillan's singing makes the album

worth listening.

The only spot where the ensemble of the band

is really at their potential

is the song Mandrake Root.

In short, Deep Purple is at their best

when playing instrumentals.