Customer Reviews

Fireball: 25th Anniversary

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Deep Purple's classic album Fireball has been reissued, it has been remastered & has bonus tracks. Fireball was a groundbreaking album originally released in 1971 that peaked at #32 on the charts. At this point it was the second highest chart position for a Deep Purple album; their debut, Shades of Deep Purple, had peaked at #24 but that was a very different group. That was the group that had a hit with "Hush" which had hit #4 on the singles chart. There had been several member changes by this time.

The remastering on this album is excellent & this particular version is an import on the EMI International label. The original album had seven cuts: "Fireball", "No No No", "Demon's Eye", "Anyone's Daughter", "The Mule", "Fools" & No One Came". "Fireball" & "Demon's Eye" are the two outstanding tracks here. All of the remaining tracks are very good with the exception of "Anyone's Daughter". It's definitely filler & weak. It was Deep Purple's tongue-in-cheek effort at country music.

There are nine bonus tracks included in the 25th Anniversary Edition of Fireball. They include "Strange Kind of Woman", an A-side single that didn't chart, it has been remixed. "I'm Alone" is a B-side from a single. Two album out-takes have been included: "Freedom" & "Slow Train". All of these are average tracks with "Slow Train" being somewhat weak. Two remixes of the original songs are included: "Demon's Eye" & No One Came". An instrumental version of "Fireball" has been included that's interesting to hear. Two unreleased tracks are included that's basically Deep Purple fooling around in the studio that was captured on tape. They are "The Noise Abatement Society Tapes" & "Backwards Piano". The first of these is the group fooling around with some classics (such as "The William Tell Overture") & not always playing in tune or on time. It's a hoot the first few time you hear it then it gets old. The second one is exactly what the title says, it's not really necessary either.

The cd comes with a comprehensive booklet that has a lot of information from the period covering when this album was recorded. Photographs from the period are also included. The reissue of Fireball with remastering & bonus tracks is a good edition to one's musical library. Though not all the bonus material is necessary, it does allow us to get an insight into some of the other things that go on in the studio. It's not all business. Being a musician myself that has spent time in a recording studio I can tell you this, more goes on than what you think.

I would just like to add this: Deep Purple in this version (Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Roger Glover & Ian Paice) was an extremely talented group. Ian Gillan has to be one of the 5 greatest vocalists of rock. Blackmore the same for guitarists. The other three musicians would probably fit in somewhere among the 10 or 12 best at their respective instruments. A VERY talented group!

After the triumph of In Rock, Purple offers up the second release with Gillan and Glover in the ranks, known as Fireball. At the time, critics and some in Purple's own camp thought it to be an inferior follow up and that the band had lost momentum from the heaviness of In Rock. In hindsight, I find Fireball to be just as essential in the evolution of Purple's recorded history, and I feel it fits rather nicely between In Rock and the proceeding Machine Head. The opening title track actually starts things off rather scorching(pun intended) and fast and features the basic formula of the band's newfound elements within the ensemble, notably the power of Blackmore and Lord in their respective solo spots and the chugging powerhouse drumming of Ian Paice. No No No follows in and although it almost sounds like a holdover from In Rock, there is a great feel to this funky blues number; not to mention some tasteful playing from Blackmore and Lord, respectively. Strange Kind of Woman was culled as the big single for inclusion on the US version of Fireball and is a classic number within the Deep Purple catalogue giving Blackmore a chance to show off some incredible soloing and would provide Gillan and Blackmore a perfect foil to stretch this number out in the live shows with a "call and response" arrangement between the two.

Demon's Eye is another Purple classic that continues the almost funky vibe that permeates throughout the duration of this album and could've been a good single had it been properly promoted as such. Anyone's Daughter offers up a quirky humorous tale of a young man influencing father's daughters into temptive carnal innuendoes; musically its the most "outside of the box" number on Fireball and is refreshingly different from most Purple numbers. The Mule would later provide a spot for Ian Paice to show off his percussion skills in the live shows and is a driving number that has lyics from Gillan in the beginning, but only an introductory verse; it remains one of Purple's most unconventional numbers.

Closing out the original release are Fools which is a bit of a spacey-jam type of number that seems a bit ponderous at times, but when it gets going, it has some power and depth, and No One Came which is actually one of my favorites within this lineup of the band. This track is one of those great lost numbers that rivals Space Truckin and Smoke on the Water as far as quality and performance goes, and it really does provide an overall statement into the closing of the original Fireball album. The remaster with Roger Glover involved, is insightful and offers up 3 tracks in the forms of Freedom, Slow Train and I'm Alone. While interesting tracks they are, these numbers provide a bit more of outside the norm of Purple's collective repetoire and remain outtakes essentially. Following In Rock's remaster, Fireball features some updated remixes of Demon's Eye and No One Came which have a heavier, up front sound for the rhythm section and also have a more sonic quality(thanks ProTools!) which does provide Glover's intents to use updated digital technology to breathe new life into these older masters.

Overall, Fireball is an essential companion piece to In Rock, and is rightfully the bridge between that album and the proceeding Machine Head, which is considered Purple's most classic album. I like the transitional feel of Fireball and it is an underrated album to my ears, because it allowed the band room to experiment and expand a bit musically, despite the lack of fan support. 4 stars.

Deep Purple's fifth studio album (and second under the now famous MKII line up) Fireball is an absolute stunner of an album, unfortunately underrated being sandwiched as it is between the classic In Rock and Machine Head albums.
For high quality, energetic and interesting rock music, Fireball is a shining example.

The album opening title track `Fireball,' is a fast and frantic number with brilliant guitar and keyboard soloing from Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord, and a great drum performance from Ian Paice, overall one of the best songs in the band's repertoire.

The album is more varied than its predecessor, investigating various territories, from proggier numbers like `Fools,' to the almost country `No One's Daughter,' and the almost psychedelic drum showpiece `The Mule.' Perhaps this variety is the reason the album wasn't as well received as the focused and direct In Rock album, but it definitely adds to the overall experience in hindsight as the band couldn't simply retread old ground anyway.

Stand Out tracks include the aforementioned title track and `Fools,' as well as the rocking `No One Came,' which ends the original album really well.

If you like Deep Purple you will definitely want to try out Fireball, a fine album indeed and more than worthy of a place in your collection.

The 25th anniversary edition expands on the original with a detailed set of linear notes about the making of the album, some remixes and alternative takes as well as the inclusion of single `Strange Kind Of Woman,' and the very enjoyable album outtakes `I'm Alone,' `Freedom,' and `Slow Train,' all of which expand on the album's rock side.

Fireball 25th anniversary edirion is a fine album from deep Purple which contains all their hits likeFire ball and Strange kind of woman along with B sides.this is the best edirion of the album and is highly recommended..

Truly a breakthrough recoring for the Mark 2 Deep Purple. And it is even better with the bonus tracks. Solid opening with the one two punch of Fireball and No No No. Great solos and vocals on these two puppies. Demons Eye is pretty good but a litle plain. I like the Purp's attempt at country with Anyone's Daughter. Cool lyrics and different vocal style. The Mule kicks but not one of the better tracks with not enough vocals. Fools rules and No One Came is ultra cool with amusing lyrics.

Happy Strange Kind of Woman made this one as it's a catchy tune with more oomph to it than the somewhat plain Demon's Eye. The rest of the tracks are ok and sometimes fun. I do not hear the difference between the 2006 No One Came and the original. Like the take on the William Tell Overture. The backwards piano is unnecessary.

This item was difficult to find. I bought it used, in good shape. The album, itself, is a gem. The remastering is of high quality (as you would expect). The additional material added by Roger Glover is a joy to listen to. I expect you will have to purchase this item from a person other than a retailer, and the price may be steep. All I can say to that is, if you are a true blue fan of Deep Purple, this is a must-have item. You won't be disappointed with it. It is a very enjoyable and high quality recording.

If you like Deep Purple but don't own Fireball, you are in for a real treat. This album is a hard rock masterpiece and Ian Gillan would totally agree with me. It's a shame that Fireball has been kind of forgotten about, it clearly holds up against In Rock. If you're just starting to collect their albums, maybe you already have Machine Head, this one won't disappoint you. It is one of the great rock albums of the seventies.

The highlights: Fireball, Strange Kind of Woman, Anyone's Daughter, Fools, No One Came, Demon's Eye, I'm Alone and Freedom.

PS: Check out their 2005 album, Rapture of the Deep. It holds up well. I would say it is right up there with their classic material.

This album was one of my favorites when it first came out especially the intro of fireball and the song Fools this is when Deep Purple in my opinion were at their best before Blackmore quit the band, I allways admired their tight sound one of the best bands that ever existed and the extras songs Man! what a treat!

YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT. SORRY,IT IS NOT THUMPA THUMPA THUMPA. I UNDERSTAND WHY THE CREATIVITY GOES OVER (SOME PEOPLE),IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES LISTENING AND HAVING THE ABILITY TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON.

1. Fireball - Killer Organ/Guitar duel in the middle
2. No No No- Yes Yes Yes
3. Demon's Eye- The non-original album track that sounds good here
4. Anyone's Daughter- Country Western tale
5. The Mule- Paicey
6. Fools- too long
7. No One Came- The best song here, where's my Robin Hood Outfit?
8. Strange Kind Of Woman- Love song about a prostitute