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UK reviews 2002 (rescheduled)
 

Jon will miss it

I had just entered the City Hall at 8.30 expecting to quite easily take my front row seat at a concert eagerly awaited for more months than I can mention. But as I entered I heard the final sounds of 21st Century Schizoid Man [Huh? Rasmus] then breaking into Woman From Tokyo.

As anybody who has been to a DP concert before will realise, it was too late to take my seat as the first few rows had already taken their positions at the front of the stage. That'll serve me right for having that extra tune up pint.

Anyway, got a good position four rows back and one hour and 50 minutes later what can I say but "Wow, Awesome, Out Of This World". Even more importantly, with the exception of Steve and Don it was hard to believe these were guys in there mid-late 50s and the great man himself is 61.

The entire set was electric and the end came only to soon. The band were on excellent form and having a great time. I don't think Gillan actually forgot any of the words (must be with all the years of practice)

All the favourites were there; Lazy, Highway Star, Black Night, Hush, an absolutely stunning rendition of Space Truckin', Speed King, Smoke, Mary Long, etc.

The entire hall went silent as When A Blind Man Cries was introduced by what can only be described as 'the best since Hendrix' version of The Star Spangled Banner in memory of 9/11 - Morse The Magician was astounding.

If you have not seen this tour yet, I advise you to get a ticket, if you can for one or all the remaining gigs, I have seen DP a number of times before, but they were at their very best tonight, long may they reign.

Already looking forward to the next tour, and maybe another guest appearance by Jon, I am sure he is going to miss it too much.

In fact I don't think I can wait - I may go down to Brum and see them on Saturday, they were that good.

Mark Bethell

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