Deep Purple are my other favorite group with The Beatles. I've seen them 3 times.. twice with Tommy Bolin back in 1976 and the other time in 2001 with Steve Morse on guitar. I agree with my fellow reviewers...5 stars isn't enough! This box is for the avid Purple fan and collectors. It's release is mainly aimed at the UK and European Markets which becomes obvious reading the extensive liner notes. While it may contain a few of the "classic hits", it's main emphasis is on rare and previously unreleased performances and recordings of those famous songs which is where it differs from the brilliant in it's own way "Shades 1968-98" 4 CD Box. While that set was more of a history lesson in "Deep Purple 101" but also included 'B' sides and less typical album tracks as well, "Listen, Learn, Read On" digs deeper while staying between the original "core years" of 1968-76 plus a trip back into time with Pre-Purple stuff on Disc 1. I'm still working my way through it but having listened to early recording by Ritchie, Jon, Ian G. Roger, Ian P. etc., it's really interesting to listen to them in "embryonic fashion". Ritchie's guitar solos on The Outlaws' "Keep A Knocking", a classic old Little Richard rocker, are a pointer to what followed. David Coverdale's vocal on The Government's version of Chicago's "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" reveals some "blue-eyed soul" leanings and he wouldn't have been out of place in Chicago or Blood, Sweat & Tears based on this performance alone. The Quad mix of "Stormbringer" brings elements I've not heard before. The live performances of the MK's II, III & IV lineups make one wish they could have stuck around longer than they did. I'm now seriously thinking of delving even deeper into the Mk's II-IV CD's released after the break up, "Live At Long Beach", "MkIII Last Concerts", "Days May Come..." etc. These are mentioned in the booklet and Simon Robinson and company's work in the accompanying 120 page book is exhaustive to say the least. How thorough can one get? We're bordering on something shy of Mark Lewisohn "Complete Beatles Chronicles" proportions here for research. This is what boxed sets should be all about. However for first time Purple listeners or casual fans this isn't the place to start..rather go to the CD Anthology, Deepest Purple or Rhino's own Purple compilation for starters and definitely the actual albums "In Rock" and Machine Head" (my favourite) in particular. The "Shades" box is probably the next step and if you're then ready to plunge in, then go for this masterpiece. For sheer value for money alone 6 CD's averaging 75 minutes of music each plus the book make it all the more worthwhile. This is probably the Purple equivalent of the "Beatles Anthology" sets unless there's more hidden that we don't know about. I can't add much more than my fellow reviewers. If you're a fan buy it! It's an amazing collection!

Why is this the best box set I own? It simply gives the fans what they WANT rather than what they mostly already have. For example, there's enough rare BBC recordings that you could record an alternate version of Deep Purple's classic 'In Rock'. The rare recordings are a real treat and some are better than their studio counterparts("No No No, Child In Time, for instance). Then there's the bountiful rare live tracks that really show what this band was all about: virtuosic rockin' while having serious fun(and arguments). The live versions of "Wring That Neck" and "Mistreated" are all the proof needed that Purple, unlike any other hard rockers, did not lose themselves while stretching out. This was a very disciplined band(at least up until '75)that had as much in common with Yes, ELP, King Crimson, as it does with powerful, but less precise bands like Zeppelin, Sabbath, Uriah Heep. That is, Purple were the forefathers of progressive metal. However, as this incredible box set shows, Purple were always too varied to be classified as metal. Late '60's Purple were art rock(pop and rock with classical flourishes, hell, even a concerto!). In the early 70's, the band stripped their music down to the essence of pile driving rock 'n' roll with the grit and feel of blues AND classically inspired solos with great precision. By the mid 70's, a sucsession of personell changes robbed the band of the balance and focus it worked so hard to achieve. Still, this final period saw Purple still striving hard to be creative, actually incorporating funk elements! This lineup at times resembled a fusion band with vocals, and this was probably a first for a rock group. So, this entire six cd box set gives an unprecedented overview with the band's material presented chronologically. Well, didn't the Shades box set do that back in '98? Yes, but not without such incredible alternate versions previously unavailable or hard to find(there are even pre-Purple recordings featuring every member to have been in the band from '68-'76!)such as noticeably better quad mixes and instrumentals. One such instrumental is actually "Highball Shooter" showcasing considerably more Black. Its such a blast to listen to the birth of 3 of the greatest hard rock masterpieces ever: "Speed King"(we hear it as "Ricochet", version 1 of 2 previously unreleased included), "Fools"(we hear Ian making up words on the spot), and "Highway Star"(lyrics including,"...they're gonna take you all around, ahh...like Steve McQueen, Micky Mouse and all that lo-ove"). Its real nice to see that Tommy Bolin get's his due here what with the impromptu jamming when he and Purple were feeling each other out, and with the inclusion of some of the best live recordings of Tommy and Purple blazin' a groovin' trail that they briefly swaggered down together without looking back. And see, that to me is what epitomizes Purple cool, keep on progressing, building from what came before. Evolving. Experiencing unforseen setbacks too, for you see, like Ian Gillan has said, Purple were dangerous in their unpredictability. Hell, nobody knew when the next flare-up would occur, so there was always the feel in the band's music that they were balanced on a precipice, walking that fine line between precision and anarchy/chaos. The accompanying booklet? Its like you almost lived it. Its that dedicatedly thorough. Makes my head spin, much like Deep Purple and this exquisite set(including 24 bit remastering on many tracks,I neglected to mention). My sincerest thanks to all those involved in bringing us 'Listen Learn Read On' and especially to Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin(RIP, brother) David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord(60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and into the 21st! trully sad to see you retire from Purple, ol' buddy from afar. here's wishing you the best in your endeavours. man, you gave us your all and then some!), "little" Ian "tasty" Paice-"y", and Nick Simper, for the music.

Too bad Mark II couldn't take a break and solidify their legacy instead of unleashing Glenn Hughes' vocal "stylings" on an unsuspecting public. Tommy Bolin had a nearly impossible job to fill his Blackmoreness' shoes, the heroin didn't help. Would love to have a tape of Ritchie, hat in hand, asking Roger Glover back on board for Rainbow. Comprehensive survey of all things Purple, excellent history book included with the 6 discs. If you think you might like this set, you will.

I was very pleased with how fast it arrived. And being that is out of print I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to purchase it at a reasonable price. I am listening to it insistently and cannot put it down. Thank you again for the wonderful Service and the opportunity to obtain this amazing set of music.

Deep Purple fans got to get this one. Every cut is unreleased and sounds great. First disc goes from the first lineup with Rod Evans and ends with the final disc with the Tommy Bolin days. Each cut is unreleased and many are live that sound great!!! The book inside is excellent with great photos and a history of the development of the band with several articles on the bands members. This is the greatest box I have ever seen on a rock group. Never mind the price--its worth it. Get this one now--the best box out all time. I have been a music collector for over 35 yrs and I know what I am talking about.