Deep Purple in Denver

This is the second time I get to see Deep Purple this year, last time was in Phoenix at the celebrity theater back in February 98. That time I drove 400 miles and back to catch the show, this time to Denver I traveled over 700 miles just for Deep Purple.
Well, it was fun, I was kind of worried about the show being cancelled becouse of Ian Gillan's voice due to a cold he had a few days ago. It was a risk to take. Again I got a purple dodge from the car rental. After picking up the tickets from the front desk (thank you Colin Hart and Andrea) we headed to Fiddler's Green Amphitheater and arrived while ELP where playing.
I really enjoyed the Space Truckin'ish like instrumental they played towards the end of the show, the crowd really enjoyed ELP. After about 20 minutes lights went out and its Deep Purple opening with TED THE MECHANIC. I knew it was going to be a great concert, Ian's voice sounded great and loud. The audio mix was excellent, I really think this was "the mother or all concerts" I've seen since 1994 in Monterrey Mex, and Phoenix, AZ back in February of 98. This show kicked ass. STRANGE KIND OF WOMAN was next, Steve really did a great job on this one, It did not end with the Gillan screams like in Made in Japan version, I really liked the way they ended it. Next song was introduced somewhere in the lines of "... recorded in 69 for In Rock, and from our new album..." It was BLOODSUCKER, sounded superb. The classic PICTURES OF HOME followed with short Glover solo. The next song I really love from the new album which they played excellent was ALMOST HUMAN.
WOMAN FROM TOKYO really got the crowd excited. Ian introduced it like "... she was not really from Tokyo, and she wasn't really a woman." the crowd loved the joke. The next song was perfect for the open sky venue, WATCHING THE SKY. This is when the audience sat probably because it's not very known. It was a very aggresive song, I think the crowd liked it. Next new song ANY FOOL KNOW THAT got a good response. The intro to SMOKE ON THE WATER got people back on their feet and dancing. LAZY was cool, I really loved that gangster hat Gillan wore during the song.
PERFECT STRANGERS started and the everybody loved it, this was when Gillan began having problems with his voice. They really fooled the crowd when SPEED KING was introduced as a ballad, everybody sat, Speed King started fast, everybody up. Ian's was kinda struggling with his voice but despite that I think Ian pulled it through. Excellent Ian Paice drum solo, nice, fast, and with rhythm. Great interplay between Jon Lord and Steve Morse. The encore was HIGHWAY STAR wich people had been calling for all night.
I loved this concert from beggining to end. I just wish Jon Lord would not take a back seat but set up his Hammond up front towards the edge of the stage like he used to up untill 1994.
After the show we went back to the hotel and at the bar was Ian Gillan and his wife.
We talked for about 45 minutes, he autographed his book (Child in Time, the history of the singer from Deep Purple) and some pictures I took of him in Phoenix last February. I will never forget that night, meeting Ian Gillan is one exciting event in my life. Thank you for a wonderful concert can't wait to see you all again. I live in El Paso, TX and I think I'll be traveling again to see you on the road.

Cheers,
ozziecarr@webtv.net

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