[ d e e p P u r . p l e ) The Highway Star

Deep Purple Tinley Park Illinois

After braving a severe rain storm I finally made it to the World Music Center just south of Chicago.

Dream Theater got things started with a solid 45 minute set. Loved the natch of Pink Floyd's "Pigs (three different ones)" and Metallicas "Enter Sandman" during "Peruvian Skies". To bad the sound was muddy. Can't wait for the triple live album in october!

Speaking of triple live albums ELP released one in 1974. What a powerful set!!! The band were all smiles. They definately were having fun. Keith Emerson came out in a french beret and with an accordion during "C'est la vie", and blew a kiss to Greg Lake. Keith must of been screwing up, because Greg kept laughing and shaking his head. Too many other highlights. Purple had their work cut out for them!!

Opening with the suprising "Ted the mechanic" I was suprised considering the tour set had been opening with "Hush". {not played at all!!}. A sloppy version of "SKOW" followed before heading into a heavy version of Bloodsucker". "Pictures of Home" followed which too was a strong and heavy version.
Things dipped slightly with Abandon's "Almost Human" {where was Seventh Heaven??], the rest of the set was-- "Woman From Tokyo", "Watching the Sky" [a Purple classic!!], "SOTW", "Lazy", "Perfect strangers" [the show's best song] the lullaby "Speed King", "Any Fule Kno That", and finishing with an ultra heavy "Highway Star". About an hour and fifty minute set.

My complaints -- poor set list, not enough recognition of the crowd especially by Gillan. It looked like his cold was still bothering him, although he hit all the high notes and overall was in pretty good form. They started slow , but evetually warmed up.
I really wanted to love this show. I have seen purple over twenty times since 1972 [Fleetwood Mac opened when i saw them in December 1972, Des Moines, Iowa]. The House of Blues shows had more energy. Maybe they are a little tired, but ELP definatly won this match!!

I absolutly love Deep Purple!! I will always be your biggest fan!! Please come back again soon!! PS. Thank you Ian Paice for the drum stick!! P*ss **f the security guards who would not let the handicapped guy in front of the stage. You guys are not worthy of eating the sh*t from my a**!! Thank you Ian Paice for seeing that that handicapped guy got your drumstick!! Very classy Ian!!

RSE714@aol.com


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