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While this cut was mainly from the lengthy drum solo, there was certainly enough room on the disc for the full version.
The now out of print import CD has the complete version and sounds equally as good as the remaster.
This "remaster" smacks of revisionist history. For shame!
(Important note) Make sure to get the current release (import only, as of early 2003) which has been completely re-mixed to sound 100% better than the old CD and/or LP, it also includes a nice big booklet full of pictures and if that's not enough for you, a great bonus disc of the band performing a three song set before the Concerto.
Track 1: Hush - Perhaps a better version than the one we always hear on the radio, with Ian Gillan's incredible vocal delivery. Sounding almost like early Elvis at times.
Track 2: Wring that Neck - A smoking instrumental with room to play for guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist Jon Lord. I must also mention the solid rhythm section of Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums, they just drive this piece along. Nice.
Track 3: Child In Time - The band were just about to record this "soon to be classic" for the upcoming album "In Rock". It might be one of the finest live version they ever did.
It's so new to them that they play it incredibly tight, and Gillan keeps his famous screams slightly off the mic, so not to scare the classical side of the crowd, but it makes for a great reverb sound. Those three tracks give you about half an hour of warm up. The audience sounds like they enjoyed the opening set. Fabulous!
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra was and is an excellent idea from JON LORD, he is a true hero. Thanks Jon.
Recorded 35 years ago, two-thirds of that magical evening is now avaible (still missing: the opener Sixth Symphony of conductor and composer Malcolm Arnold). After the opening symphony, Deep Purple then came on for a short 3 song set (which was not featured on the vinyl album, but is included on the CD reissue). That set is incredible: Hush, the instrumental Wreck That Neck, and the then-still unreleased, unrecorded and unknown Child in Time (explaining why there was no reaction from the crowd when Ian Gillan announces the song).
Last but not least comes the Jon Lord-composed "Concerto for Group and Orchestra". The 1st Movement is still my favorite, because it takes it time setting the table and then magically making the way for an instrumental hard rocking jam by the band, with a blazing solo by Ritchie Blackmore. The 2nd Movement is my least fave of the three, as it is too timid (and reminding me at one point of the Moody Blues, argh!!). The 3rd Movement however is explosive, and includes an amazing drum solo by Ian Paice, only to then go to an incredible explosive final of band and orchstra. Wow!
A year after this album Deep Purple started its string of now-classic albums "In Rock", "Fireball" and "Machine Head". However, the "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" album is just as adventurous in its own right. I "borrowed" the album from my sister, and sure am glad to have it on CD now. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!