DEEP PURPLE: 'Graz 1975' Live CD Trailer Available

September 5, 2014

On April 3, 1975 the Mk III line-up of DEEP PURPLE — guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, frontman David Coverdale, bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, keyboard player Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice — performed at the Liebenauer ice rink, located on the outskirts of mountain-cradled Graz, Austria's second largest city after Vienna.

Enthused by DEEP PURPLE's arrival in town, the local press dubbed the concert "das Rockereignis des Jahres [the rock event of the year]." And it was — in more ways than one.

Previously unreleased in its entirety, "Graz 1975" — will be released in North America on September 23 on earMUSIC / Eagle Rock Entertainment.

A trailer for "Graz 1975" can be seen below.

After Graz, DEEP PURPLE would play just two more shows — in Saarbrücken, Germany and Paris, France — before Blackmore left to form his new band, RAINBOW. The remaining band members would regroup quickly with American guitarist Tommy Bolin in tow.

In order to preserve Blackmore's final run of Mk III concerts for posterity, DEEP PURPLE's managers had brought THE ROLLING STONES mobile recording studio over to mainland Europe. And what a show it was! "Graz 1975" is absolutely electrifying and exhilarating. Indeed, it has long been regarded as the holy grail of concert recordings among Mk III connoisseurs. A performance that has never been available in its entirety until now.

Kicking off with a blazing performance of "Burn", "Graz 1975" is a wild eight-track ride, firing on all pistons. Blackmore plays with controlled brutality. The vocal interplay between Coverdale and Hughes has never sounded so good. And, of course, stalwarts Lord and Paice give it a good kicking — and then some.

The track listing, naturally, is weighted heavily in favor of Mk III recordings, with just two songs from DEEP PURPLE's previous incarnation with Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass: the iconic "Smoke On The Water" and the almost-as-iconic "Space Truckin'". Still, it's true to say that, from beginning to end, "Graz 1975" showcases DEEP PURPLE Mk III at the absolute top — and also, ironically, at the end — of their game.

After almost 40 years the concert is still captivating. It is the perfect example that, for DEEP PURPLE, there is no need for extravagant video projections or expensive fire shows to play a unique and fascinating gig. All they need is their music. It is the love and passion for their music that makes every single show a unique experience.

"Graz 1975" track listing:

01. Burn
02. Stormbringer
03. The Gypsy
04. Lady Double Dealer
05. Mistreated
06. Smoke On The Water
07. You Fool No One
08. Space Truckin'

deeppurplegraz1975

Find more on Deep purple
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • reddit
  • email

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).