Southend again next year?

This was, sadly, my first time seeing the mighty 'Purple live. I've got the albums, I've listened to the to death but never have I seen them live. What can I say. It was stunning, it was amazing. No, it was f*****g amazing (sorry for use of that).

I enjoyed myself, my friends did, my boss from work (a huge fan) said it was better than the last time he'd seen them at Wembley (with Steve Morse). I thought that they were really tight and showed the years of playing they've got behind themselves. What's more they seemed to be enjoying themselves so long may that continue, so I can get to see them again.

All the staples were there including some of the newer ones. One thing struck me - Roger Glover seems to be playing his bass riffs a little funkier nowadays. Only complaint I have about the set is that Space Truckin' wasn't included, but with 30 years of material behind them something had to give.

One other, minor complaint - the banjo player interacted too much with the band and he smiled! Before any one says anything - I was joking.

All of this great night was spoiled when I spoke to somebody else at work who felt that the guitarist was weak. I was too dumb struck to ask why she'd think that and when I'd told my mates who'd also gone, the politest response I got was "What planet is she on?" Still just goes to show you can't make all of the people happy all of the time. I enjoyed myself as did the majority of people there it appeared.

Good gig guys, how about coming back again next year?

Mark Lewis

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