Deep Purple – Fireball
Album Review by Rainer Kerber
I think about Deep Purple you must not lose too many words. Established in 1967 as “Roundabout”, the five have a year later renamed to Deep Purple. And under that name they are still on tour today. Last year the 20th studio album”Infinite” will be released. In addition, the British are on their Farewell tour. So I want to turn the wheel of time back by more than forty years. In September 1971, “Fireball”, the fifth longplay record of the Hardrock legends, was released. the disc was recorded in the period between September 1970 and June 1971 by the legendary MK II occupation. There were top positions worldwide in the charts, among others. first place in Germany and UK. And the single-release “Strange Kind Of Woman” made it to eighth place on the British charts.
With “Fireball” Deep Purple deliver in fact the blueprint for the later development of speed metal. Once you can hear the studio ventilation for a few seconds provide double bass and guitar for fast pace. Jon Lords organ solo, as well as the tambourine hit by Ian Gillan, leave a lasting impression here. “No No No” comes much quieter and more bluesier therefore and stamping powerfully from the boxes. Great the interplay between guitar and Hammond organ. Although the song is a bit forgotten, but it is a prime example for the typical Deep Purple sound. “Demon’s Eye” closes seamlessly, but sounds lighter and more lively. In the middle part the Hammond organ dominates again, distorted but melodic. “Anyone’s Daughter” actually sounds less like Deep Purple, but delivers an interesting musical colour. With the Folk touch, this is a suitable ending for the first side of the record.
Side 2 then starts with the psychedelically sounding “The Mule”. After tambourine sounds, the guitar chords just burst out of the boxes. The song is underlined by unrhythmic driving drumbeats by Ian Paice. In live performances follows here often a lengthy drum solo. “Fools” is one of my absolute all-time favourites from Deep Purple. From my point of view this song is punishably undervalued and is almost not played on the radio. After a quiet instrumental introduction, ruthless fat riffs follow, which really roll over the listener. And the guitar solo of Ritchie Blackmore sounds like an electrically amplified violin, accompanied by Shaker sounds. Goosebumps-pure atmosphere. “No One Came” is the bouncer of the album with catchy and groovy melodies. Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord are brilliant with solos on guitar and Hammond.
On “Fireball” Deep Purple convince with great experimentation. The songs are varied and cover a wide range of hard rock. On the plate is perhaps not a “hit” as in other albums but so some song gem. In my view, “Fireball” is quite a reference for the entire work of the band.
Lineup:
Ian Gillan – Vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
Jon Lord – Hammond
Roger Glover – Bass
Ian Paice – Drums
Label: Harvest Records / Warner Bros.
Out: September, 15th 1971
Duration: 40:30
Track list:
Side 1
- Fireball
- No No No
- Demon’s Eye
- Anyone’s Daughter
Side 2
- The Mule
- Fools
- No One Came
Rating : 9/10
MHF Magazine/Rainer Kerber
