Hartford Show (Meadows)

Friday August 7th Hartford CT.
    This review is dedicated to my brother, Scott. This the first tour my brother has missed in 26 years, due to his passing this past Feb. 14th. Scott has had the priviledge of meeting the Band on many occasions, and I have been fortunate to be with him on the 91 Tour (Thanks Jon).
    Most of the early hours I spent outside the venue trying to upgrade my seats, but was unsuccessful, therefore I missed Dream-Theater.
    Managed to catch E.L.P., but the anticipation for the boys was way to much and I got edgey halfway thru Tarkus.
Than the moment of truth.
The lights went dim, heavy applause, excitement was in the air.
Once again the Band opened with HUSH. They did a great job on this song; seems to get better every time I hear it live. Jon had a great solo. The crowd was very enthuisiastic, and the band picked up on it.
    I have been seeing DEEP PURPLE live since 1974, and with Gillan since 1985, and this by far is the tightest I have ever seen the Band. It is such a thrill to see them having such a good time together on stage, not like all these other bands with those fake smile (Van Halen).
    The Band played 14 songs in all, (defintely too short). But I can't say enough about the great sound and tightess of the Band.
    Steve had a great solo as usual, Jon's solo was way too short, as it led into the classic LAZY. Paicey's solo during SPEED KING was blistering, but once again a little too short.
    Ian Gillan's voice was as good as it gets. I have read all the reports from the European gigs, and have to agree with them, this was the best i've heard him in years.
    The one thing that a life long fan can pick up on, is the heavyness between Roger and Paice. It the best rythem these two have ever done. I commend them both.
    The following is the set list from this show. I have to go through each album in my mind to make a list of what they played, sorry it's not in order, except Hush and the encores. (Still pretty close).

1. HUSH
2. BLODSUCKER
3. STRANGE KIND OF WOMEN
4. PICTURES OF HOME
5. ALMOST HUMAN
6. TED THE MECHANIC
7. WOMAN FROM TOKYO (Steve's Solo)
8. SMOKE ON THE WATER
9. (Jon's Solo) LAZY
10. WATCHING THE SKY
11. PERFECT STRANGERS
12. SPEED KING (Paice Solo)
13. ANY FULE KNO THAT
14. HIGHWAY STAR

Sincerely, a PURPLE FAN FOREVER,
Jim (Jake) Otwell

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