Customer Reviews

Burn

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This 1974 album was released shortly after the departure of both Ian Gillan and excellent bassist Roger Glover in 1973, thus ending the Mk. II lineup (at least until 1984). On the Burn album, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (who cranks out some unbelievable leads), drummer Ian Paice, and keyboardist John Lord were joined by new band members David Coverdale (lead vocals) and bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes. To say the least, I was a little suspicious of the new Mk. III lineup. With respect to the new members, Glenn Hughes (like Roger) also used a trebly Rickenbacker bass (which is a major plus in my book), although he was not as technically advanced as Roger. David Coverdale however, really belts out and is an extremely powerful singer.

OK, so the new members fit in well enough, so what about the music? With the explosive opening of the title track Burn I was convinced that the band was forging onwards without missing a beat. All of the components that made Deep Purple great were in place, but there was something else too. The arrangements on Burn seemed a bit more complex than usual, and what was this? Bach influenced chord progressions? Toccata-like Hammond organ solos? Mini-moog synthesizer solos on a Deep Purple song? This was something a little different (much to the delight of this raving prog fan), and it appeared that the influences of prog giants like ELP had worked their way into the writing style of at least a few guys in the band, which are very much in evidence on the title track Burn. In fact, Burn stands as my all-time favorite Deep Purple tune because it is so proggy. Other tracks on the album that are different (and personal favorites) include Sail Away, which features more great work on the mini-moog and a highly syncopated 4/4 that makes the piece sound busier than it is; the experimental, mini-moog heavy track "A 200" (which is named after a disinfectant and seems to be based on Mars from Gustav Holst's Planets); and the spacey jam on Mistreated. For those of you that don't like prog as much as I do, don't worry - 90% of the album is comprised of the solid, well-played bluesy hard rock that made the band so famous.

As an aside, a lot of folks (including critics) have commented that Deep Purple employed funk styles in their music during this lineup. To be perfectly honest, I hear very little funk in any of the pieces on this album. My guess is that the "funkiness" is an artifact of the abundant use of a syncopated 4/4, which lends the pieces a little more "swing" than usual. For those of you that are afraid of funk music, fear not - this is hard rock, pure and simple. I should note that I have not listened to either Stormbringer (1974) or Come Taste the Band (1975). These two albums may very well be funky, but I am still not entirely convinced that Deep Purple will ever be mentioned in the same context as groups like Parliament Funkadelic or Sly and the Family Stone.

With respect to the remastered album, Rhino did a brilliant job. There is a 23-page booklet loaded with informational tidbits and color photos of the band. In that I am not entirely familiar with Deep Purple, I found the liner notes to be very helpful, but long-time followers of the band may dismiss them as "old hat". In addition to the original album, there are five bonus tracks that were remixed in 2004 including the amazing instrumental Coronarias Redig (which was released as a b-side single), along with tracks from the original album. With respect to the remixed versions of the original tracks, they don't sound terribly different.

All in all, this is a great album of hard rock that offers just enough spice and variety to draw prog rock fans like myself in. For Deep Purple fans that are interested, Manfred Mann's Earth Band released an album in 1973 entitled Solar Fire that you may also like. Although the album is closer to prog than hard rock, there are enough stylistic commonalities that it should be of interest.

THE BAND: Ritchie Blackmore (guitars), David Coverdale (vocals), Jon Lord (keyboard/organ), Ian Paice (drums), Glen Hughes (bass). Coverdale and Hughes replace departed members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover respectively.

COMMENTS: I saw EMI's 30th anniversary edition of "Burn" as well as Rhino's remastered and extended version of the same title... and went with this one from Rhino. With EMI's version being 2x the price of Rhino's - the decision was fairly easy. Both contain the same track listing - 13 songs - the 8 original tunes, plus one new remix ("Coronarias Redig"), 4 of the classic songs from "Burn" remixed in 2004, and an extensive 24-page booklet packed with band info and rare pictures. The remixes, like they did with the 25th anniversay edition of "Machine Head", are the same songs from "Burn", but with slightly different guitar solos, maybe a slightly different intro or ending... but for the most part the same song. Let me say that it's a treasure to here these classic songs performed slightly different. This disc is a must-have for the Deep Purple fan! After 1973's "Who Do We Think We Are" was released, and then their live double-album classic "Made In Japan", Deep Purple was sitting on top of the hard rock world. Gillan and Blackmore were at odds over musical direction. Also, Blackmore's main issue was the fact that he wrote 80% of all the material, but the credit was split 5 ways. With all the tension, something had to give... and lead singer Gillan left. Original bassist Roger Glover departed with Gillan. Glen Hughes (ex-Trapeze) aptly replaced Glover - bringing an above average ability on bass guitar and better backing vocals. In steps "a young and pimply-faced" David Coverdale at the ripe age of 23. After listening to a muddled demo tape, Blackmore, Paice and Lord invited the unknown singer for a try out (after Paul Rodgers from Free and soon to be formed Bad Company refused)... and the rest is history. In my opinion "Burn" was the last great album the band put out. "Stormbringer" was good for us fans, but Blackmore thought otherwise and made a quick exit soon thereafter. "Come Taste The Band" was very good, but keep in mind, guitarist Tommy Bolin is no Ritchie Blackmore. Purple's reunion in 1984 with "Perfect Strangers" had some great tunes on it, but there were some equally bad ones mixed in. The title track "Burn" is loud and pumps you up from the start, "Might Just Take Your Life", "Lay Down, Stay Down", "You Fool No One" are 4 hard rocking tunes that showcase the brass balls of the band. And, the popular bluesy "Mistreated" is one of their best slow songs - ever. John Lord is/was incredible on the piano/keyboards, Blackmore is/was a God on guitar, and the absolute backbone of the band is/was master drummer Ian Paice. Hughes and Coverdale were great replacements and they were never better than here on "Burn". The sound is 24-bit digitally remastered and sounds like it was recorded last week. Essential in any rock & roll library.

Burn sucks me in from the opening riff and holds my attention all the way to the end. Very few guitarists excite me the way Ritchie Blackmore does. I mean, the guy is mesmerizing. Such phrasing. And speed. A dash of medieval here, a smidgeon of showboating there and -- viola! -- you've got a certified rock god on your hands.

On Burn, DP's eight CD, you get to enjoy a classic line-up that includes Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale, who has a set of pipes on him that just won't quit. To say he's a powerful singer is putting it mildly.

Rhino's remastering is astounding. Every instrument (especially the drums, keyboards and guitar) jump out of the speakers with crystal clarity. This CD sounds fresher and cleaner than any CD released today. In fact, listening to this Rhino remaster is like hearing Burn for the first time -- which is saying a lot because I remember actually hearing it for the first time when it was released in 1974. As a 14-year-old kid in love with rock music, it made quite an impression.

But it's making an even bigger impression on me now because I have 30 years of maturity and experience with other bands under my belt (which seems to be slightly larger than it was in the Seventies, but that's another story). Deep Purple is one of a handful of bands that still excite the hell out of me. No band today can hold a candle to Blackmore-era Deep Purple.

Which is the main reason why Burn is in my collection and ought to be in yours. This is some of the most electrifying music ever recorded, folks. Thanks to Rhino, it sounds better than it ever did.

In addition to the title track, I really enjoy "Might Just Take Your Life" and, of course, the awesome "Mistreated," one of Blackmore's coolest riffs. Combined with Coverdale's powerful voice, this could be one of rock music's most blistering tracks.

Everything about the Rhino-remastered Burn is first-rate. This is one of my all-time favorite bands and one of my all-time favorite of their albums. I can't recommend Burn highly enough.

When DP released In Rock there was such a rush of energy, a pure adrenaline flow, in the recordings it was no surprise to learn that the band had changed two members and were eager to explore new ideas. Over the next three studio albums that sound and energy would culminate in Machine Head and trickle over to Who Do We Think We Are. But by then tensions between members and a general feeling of creative stagnation were giving everyone the impression that a change was needed. Two band members out and two new members in, once again DP have changed their approach, their sound, their style, and sound like everyone just got a shot of jumpy juice. The album rocks with rejuevination. The old members (Blackmore, Lord and Paice) contribute with heightened enthusiasm and the new members (Coverdale and Hughes) are phenomenal, giving DP a more funky, bluesy feel. Sail Away is an awesome cross between hard rock and funk. Burn practically burns the speakers. Lay Down Stay Down and Might Just Take Your Life are among the best tracks with Coverdale and Hughes. Blackmore gets credit for soul on Mistreated and Coverdale introduces his breathy bedroom inhales and sighs before and after belting out the words. Paice is charged to the max with creativity on Burn and You Fool No One. Blackmore sounds enthused throughout the album. The combination of Coverdale's and Hughes's vocals is amazing. Lord still contributes with classic-inspired solos. This is one brilliant album!

Was I listening to too much Led Zeppelin when this came out? And why did I have to discover this now? This album is a MUST OWN! I did'nt know David Coverdale (Yep, THAT one, from Whitesnake) fronted Deep Purple, and not only that, but another equally great singer, Glenn Hughes, SHARING vocals.Where was I? How come stuff like this is not done today? Are the good days truly behind us? Stand out tracks which make this a MUST BUY alone are 'Burn, Lay down stay down, What's going on here, and 'Sail Away'. Sail Away is unlike anything I've ever heard. A truly great song, and a beat so........wicked and menacing in your face.I am already looking at buying Stormbringer, DP's follow up to this album.'Stormbringer', 'Soldier Of Fortune'(Which is I think IS a better song than Stairway to heaven) and 'Holy Man'.........Need I say more?

1973: Deep Purple was in shambles. "Machine Head," "Made In Japan" and "Who Do We Think We Are!" had transformed them into superstars and Ritchie Blackmore was now recognized as a guitar god, but egos and strife were splitting the band. In what would usually demolish other bands, Blackmore replaced two key members of the group. David Coverdale, an unknown, and Glenn Hughes of the cult band Trapeze were in, Roger Glover and Ian Gillian were out.

But the band rose to the challenge. Bolstered by the prospect of using two lead singers, the band created an album that is second only to "Machine Head" is terms of consistency. Roaring forth with the title track, with Jon Lord's majestic organ and keyboards plus a killer riff from Blackmore, there was no way to deny that Deep Purple was once again a fireball. The other major contribution seemed to be the spark that Hughes and Coverdale brought to the band's writing. With the exception of "Sail Away" and the instrumental "A-200," everyone of "Burn's" original 8 songs is a DP classic. After the "Stormbringer" album, Blackmore split and the albums afterwards just never measured up.

So just absorb this classic example of what made early 70's rock so fabulous to listen to. There's the rocking blues of "Mistreated." The great split vocals on "Might Just Take Your Life." Blackmore's excellant solo on "Lay Down Stay Down." Then on "You Fool No One," proof that Ian Paice's drumming was as strong a backbone for Purple as any band could wish for.

The bonus b-side "Coronarias Redig" is pretty much superfluous, and I can't really say what the value of the "2004 remixes" are supposed to be. The liner book is informative and interseting, too. 1974: "Burn" was the one last amazing album when Deep Purple had all the parts working together.

The title track is a perfect example of Blackmore's genius to use other's ideas in wholly original ways: George Gershwin would be proud. A great deal of credit is due to Coverdale, who with minimal professional experience, successfully replaced one of the world's greatest vocalists. After repeated listenings it finally dawned how good he was. Hughes isn't too shabby either on bass or vocals. These two voices complement each other perfectly and gave DP Mk.3 a distinctive identity. Pity it ended up with the superbly performed but very confused "Stormbringer" and lamentable "Come Taste the Band". Lord channels Bach in the title track, and Paice is his usual brilliant swing rock drumming self.

Required listening.

By mid-summer 1973, Deep Purple's status as a major heavy rock band was beginning to pick up speed commercially with the general public and the band became a worldwide phenomenon. Once the band completed its last shows in July returning to Japan, Ian Gillan had served out his notice and the search was on for a new lead singer. The band had already taken notice of one Glenn Hughes(formerly of Trapeze), and although Glenn could sing, it was his bass playing Blackmore, Lord and Paice were most impressed by. Months before, Blackmore had threatened to leave the band as the situation between he and Ian Gillan had become intolerable and a decision had been made by the management(what with all of their newfound success) to keep things moving. Roger Glover had come to find out that his days would be numbered too and through a band meeting it was decided to replace him as well.

It didn't take too long for the band to recruit Glenn Hughes into the ranks, and Blackmore had long considered Paul Rodgers as the number one choice for the vocal spot, but Rodgers had already made a decision to work with Mick Ralphs(ex-Mott the Hoople) along with his cohort Simon Kirke to form Bad Company. Purple then opened up the floodgates for any and all singers known or otherwise and plowed through endless miles of audtion tapes until they found a cassette sent by a man whom was currently employed as a tailorshop salesman. David Coverdale's background was quite obscure and had sung in a few local club boogie bands of a middling unreknown: The Fabuloso Brothers and the Government. But once they heard his tone and range, they decided to bring him down for a jam at Clearwell Castle and by the end of the night,Mark III Deep Purple was finally in place.

Burn was recorded in Montreux where the band had had such success a year before recording the classic Machine Head opus, but since then, the sound of Purple was changing again and now the band had two singers which altered the dynamic quite compellingly. The title track is vindicated by this as Hughes and Coverdale do a tag-team effort trading off vocals and harmonize quite well during the chorus of the number. This is an element that runs throughout the duration of the recording with the only sole track featuring Coverdale prominently in the moody blues number Mistreated. Blackmore's playing is invigorating on this album and his solo's on the title number, Lay Down, Stay Down, You fool No One and Mistreated are paramount and compelling. Ian Paice's percussion skills are adapating and progressing quite rapidly as there is a precision and power displayed on tracks like You Fool No One and Lay Down, Stay Down which further show the changes in the lineup and the energy of the band's musical dynamic is re-ignited within a fresh and driving quality. Jon Lord provides the anchor here and his playing stands out on tracks like Might Just Take Your Life, Sail Away and What's Going On Here utilizing the pattened Hammond Organ, tack piano and even synthesizer to further add texture and color to the strong material presented here.

Burn remains as a one off barnstormer of a record that returned the band to the heights of Machine Head. Many had thought that Purple would never be able to equal the success of the Mach II lineup, and Burn is the proof that any doubts were proved futile. As for the future, well, unfortunately Purple's next 2 studio efforts would see them gradually losing focus and heading off down a direction that had more of an R&B flavor within the rock element. With Burn, Purple proved there was much left in the creative engine and turned in a marvelous album that reinvented and rejuvinated the band. 4 and a half stars

As a fan of Deep Purple Mk 1 and Mk 2, I had overlooked this album and just kept to the safety of Machine Head, In Rock and Fireball etc.
Then I heard the title track - what an awesome song! And great lyrics: I didn't believe she was devil's sperm / She said curse you all, you'll never learn / When I leave there's no return / The people laughed 'till she said Burn!
"Mistreated" is the other terrific song on this album, in fact all the rest of the songs are good too, with the exception of the instrumental "A-200" which would have been better left off so that the album closed on a high note with "Mistreated".

deep purple,s burn was the first to feature the mark 3 line-up with new vocalist david coverdale whom would later go on to form whitesnake.and glenn hughs on bass replacing roger glover. burn is a very good album in my opinion for a band that was and is constantly changing members like most clean people change their underwear.sorry bad analogy!!one reason for the constant line-up changes was guitar maestro ritchie blackmore.ritchie could be very difficult at times or so rumour has it.the album cover for burn is one of the coolest in rock!! for me the stand out cuts are;burn,lay down stay down,what,s going on here and mistreated.if you are a purple fan get this!!!