Extended Versions, Vol. 2

Performer: Deep Purple
Producer: Martin Pullan
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel: Ian Gillan (vocals); Steve Morse (guitar); Paul Williamson (saxophone); Jon Lord (keyboards); Ian Paice (drums); Natalie Miller (background vocals). Recording information: 2001. As with most of the entries on the ongoing Extended Versions series, Deep Purple's second appearance in the series is similar to all the others -- mostly live tracks, with a studio track or two included as well. And as evidenced by the front cover photo, it's the modern-day version of the band supplying the live recordings (with Steve Morse on guitar, in place of Ritchie Blackmore). In other words, you get workmanlike renditions of such Purple classics as "Smoke on the Water" (which includes some guitar phrases from Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker"), "Woman from Tokyo," and "Black Night," as well as a 1988 re-recoding of "Hush," with Ian Gillan on vocals (Gillan did not sing on Purple's 1968 studio hit). So as long as you're not expecting to get the definitive live or studio versions of the tracks included here, then Extended Versions, Vol. 2 won't disappoint. ~ Greg Prato

One of the longest running and most prolific of hard rock/proto-heavy-metal bands, Deep Purple appeared in the wake of the psychedelic era, sporting a harder sound than anything that had come before. The classic 1970s lineup (featuring virtuoso guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, wailing tenor Ian Gillan, and classically influenced keyboardist Jon Lord) established the template for countless metal bands that followed in their wake. They went through numerous lineup changes over the years, with singers David Coverdale and Joe Lynn Turner and guitarists Tommy Bolin and Steve Morse all passing through the ranks. Since the 1980s, sporadic reunions have found key members returning to the fold.

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