Hey, guys! Remember back when we were teens in the seventies and we'd play air guitar to Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water? You didn't? Uh, yeah, me, either.

Moving right along.

As a teenage boy in the seventies - while all my friends were playing air guitar to Smoke on the Water - I was delving into the finer nuances of Deep Purple's Made In Japan album that the iconic tune came off of. Whether it was that song, Highway Star or Woman From Tokyo, that album commanded my attention every time it was played.

Well, those boys from Deep Purple are set to release for the first time (at least in the U.S.) another live album that is sure to be a classic. Entitled Total Abandon: Australia '99, this CD was originally only available in DVD format in the 2008 box set, Around the World Live. The band line-up at the time was Ian Gillan on vocals, Steve Morse on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, the great Ian Paice on drums and Jon Lord on keyboards.

It goes without saying that, included in the Boomerocity favorites are the tunes that I - I mean, my friends - played air guitar to. I don't want to spoil the surprise for you but I will say that you're going to absolutely LOVE the very cool and creative guitar lead in to Smoke on the Water. It's one for the record books.

Another Boomerocity favorite is album opener, Ted the Mechanic. The word that comes to mind to describe this version of the tune is "fun". It's the perfect song to start a concert with and is just about guaranteed to have the crowds on their happy feet in right at a nanosecond.

Worthy of infinite slaps of the repeat button is the jam-happy version of Pictures of Home. Morse just flat outdoes himself on the guitar work on this tune. Exhilarating and majestic in its delivery, it bombards the audio senses in the most pleasant of ways.

Classic and prog rock fans alike will want this CD both for the memories it conjures up as well as the incredible musicianship demonstrated by these guys. You're really gonna love this album!

Boomerocity.com

This is actually a re-issue on an old double disc album from 1999. I had it years ago, lost it and now repurchased as a 1 disc, tight and compact concert. I love Deep Purple, I love the Steve Morse era. The band does justice to the old songs, as well as bringing life back into the band with the new material, which goes well inbetween Black Night and Strange Kind of Woman. Fans of the band should pick this up if they do not have, as well as the 1996 Live at the Olympia 2 cd set which features many Purpendicular tracks not played live since.

Excellant album,but is missing alot. the 2 disc set is complete. The steve Morse guitar solo is worth the price of the double disc set. this seems like a budget version of a great concert.

(Amazon Verified Purchase)I usually do not like life albums.I bought this one more or less to add to my collection. I have 28 cds,2 Lps and one cassette.Surprisingly the quality of the recording is good for a live recording.This cd has a wide range of their music over the years.From Black Night,one of their first songs to Sometimes I Feel like Screaming 1995,the Steve Morse years.I could write a book about this group. In my opinion this is the best rock-n-roll band ever.If you want a good lesson in rock-n roll, look up Pete Frame"s Family Tree in The Deep Purple Family Album 1993. No other band in rock-n-roll can even come close to this line-up.The offspring from this group is just amazing.There is another family tree in The Very Best of Rainbow cd,but it is not as detailed as Frames is.

By Jim Clark, publisher, Lee County Courier, Tupelo, MS

Most live albums aren't worth owning -- that's not the case with Deep Purple's Total Abandon Austraiia `99. The boys rock through 12 cuts including the timeless hits "Strange Kind of Woman,"'"Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star."

Current line-up includes Roger Glover, bass; Jon Lord, keyboards; Steve Morse, lead guitar; Ian Paice, drums and Ian Gillan, vocals. Of course, Deep Purple can bost of some incredible old members -- Joe Satriani, Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale and the late, great Tommy Bolin.

It's hard to believe the hard rockers have been around since 1968.

Total Abandon sounds as fresh and potent as when the songs were first records. The guitar solos are amazing.

Steve, who has been playing guitar since the early 90s, says the boys are always asked - how can you keep doing it?

"I keep myself going because it's still fun and exciting to get up and play, really! ," Steve said.

The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They were once listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band." Deep Purple were ranked number 22 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme. Yet, they haven't made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

How is that even possible?