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Much older tours...
1968-1995

CARDIFF, WALES
19th FEBRUARY 1996.
St. Davids Hall.

Band takes stage 8.45 finish 10.55 2hrs 10 minutes.

The lights dimmed and the stage took a shade of purple. In the haze the band walk on to a heros welcome. Gillan leads, Lights change - full into Fireball !! This looks promising. First time I've heard this, and a few others in the set, live. Gillan wears a flowered waistcoat, centre stage. In great form both vocally and humor wise. Stage left stands new man Steve Morse, in printed black short sleeve T-shirt. Behind him the master of ivories, In dark suit and sunglasses, he later disgards the jacket for a purple T-shirt (the colour that is). Roger wears grey T-shirt and black and white headscarf. Ian Paice in usual T-shirt. The first thing you notice is that all the band seem to be enjoying it, and its not 'just another gig' feeling. There seems to be a permenant grin on the face of Steve Morse.

Back to the music, Fireball is performed faithfully to the album, and its the first chance for Steve to show his wares and hit the spotlight. Gillan introduces Vavoom:Ted the mechanic, firstly by saying 'Its been a long time', referring to the fact that DP haven't played Wales for years (if ever?), and then announces that the song was about meeting a guy in a bar. This becomes the 'In Joke' of the night as most of the songs he introduces, he tells the crowd that they were either about drinking/a bar/or written in a bar. Ted is played with energy, even faster than the album. Next up we have old favourites in the shape of Woman from Tokyo, and a long version of Black night. This was the first chance to see the interplay between Morse and Lord, the 'I'll do anything you do' bits. Im sure that this was improvised nearing the end, as they seemed to go on past the lead-in, and the rest of the band just stood on clapping like the rest of us. Magic. Steve Morse , has really gelled, with Jon Lord in particular. This wasn't to be the first time that Steve gets to do the double act with Jon. It worked great ! Cascades (Im not your lover) is faithful to the original, and any doubts about Gillans voice disapears, as he still has the range, and can hit most the high notes (at this stage of the tour). Cascades leads into Steves solo.

It starts with a form of synth guitar playing, moves into a Brian May like chorus effect, and then into power chords, with the crowd loving it and clapping along. Steve is given his fair share of the spotlight throughout the set, but for his solo he has his head down, and seems almost embaressed by the adultation. The band seem to be proud of their new man, and applaud him such at the end.

Next up my favorite of the new album 'Sometimes I feel like screaming' (aka missing you). This starts as the album, with aucostic guitars on stands so that Steve and Roger could go straight into the hard parts. The song is well recieved, and must be a favorite of a few others as well. Steve adds a few twidly bits into the riffs.

Maybe Im a Leo, and Rosa's Cantina. Change the style. Rosa's sounds interesting live. Gillan bongo bashing, dancing and harmonica playing.

Something new to me, backing vocals sung by the lead guitarist shock ! Roger and Steve team up for backing on a few numbers. Roger by the way is happy. Singing and swaying to most songs. Thank god the mix is ok, his bass blends in perfectly.

A castle full of rascals is aired. At the end Gillan and Lord seem to have a dispute, as a few fingers are waved at each other, at the end of which Gillan steps onto the riser and they shake hands. I may be wrong, but it seemed that Lord's part had been missed.

The familiar opening riff to Smoke on the water, gets the crowd whipped up, those seated stand. It was a suprise to see the song early in the running order, what would be the last song ? The crowd is as receptive as ever. No chance of a sing along Though, as it leads into Jons Solo.

This is similar in style to previous solos. The rock n roll section has Ian Gillan dancing behind stage, and Jon pulls a masterstroke by including a note perfect segment of the Welsh National Anthem (translated:land of my fathers) for all to sing along.This brought the house down, and was accepted by a extended ovation, to which Jon shrugged , as if to say 'It's nothing'. I would be interested to hear what other bits where put in at other gigs.

When a Blindman cries was played very emotively, and was recieved well. Someone stole my guitar was a suprise inclusion for me, but it worked well. A rousing version of Speed king brings the crowd to their feet, with a long interplay section in the middle. The set proper closes. And we wonder what could top it. Clapping and chanting doesn't let the band draw breath before being dragged back.

Perfect strangers, complete with similar light arrangements from their 1984/5 1987 shows . Ie. Lazers over the audience. Gets everyone clapping and singing. The band are on the homeward run now, and its smiles all round , and a bit of fun all round. Introducing the next number, Gillan says ' Mucho gracias, that was Perfect Strangers from Perfect strangers. This is from Purp, Purp, Purpendicular, Its called Purp, Purp, The purpendicular waltz. ' Following the waltz, we have a storming version of Cisco Kid., rolling into the final number Highway star. What a way to end.

It was smiles all round , Flying picks, harmonicas, drum sticks (Ian aimed one at someone on the balcony, surfice to say it didn't get there). Even Steve Morse jokingly goes to throw his guitar. Goodbye was hard to say , as the band spend a good few minutes shaking every outstretched hand.

In summary, what a gig ! There were people, maybe not so familiar with SM who where probably saying 'Steve Who ? ' , but came out saying 'Richie Who ?' He prooved himself alright. As for the set. There are always songs you would have liked to hear (Child in time and Loosen my strings for me) But something had to give, and it was well balanced.

Hurry back DP. Xmas 96 maybe ?

From Drew, Cardiff, Wales, UK. (a.langley@ukonline.co.uk)

HTML by Svante Pettersson 24 Feb. 1995

[ The Highway Star ]