Deep Purple Opens the Vault

Live in California 74

Deep Purple's Classic California Jam Set Available Officially for First Time on CD/Digital Download 

By Brian Aberback

At long last Deep Purple’s classic 1974 headlining performance at the California Jam festival is available officially on CD and as a digital download. Released last month on Eagle Rock Entertainment to commemorate the show’s 40th anniversary, “Live in California 74”  captures the MARK III lineup up in its full glory, blowing away a crowd of 200,000 at the Ontario Motor Speedway.

The band was supporting its then-current album, “Burn,” the first Purple release to feature new singer David Coverdale and bassist-singer Glenn Hughes, who joined band leader/guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice.

Blackmore starts the proceedings with the driving, high energy opening riff to “Burn,” with Lord quickly joining in on keys. The song is an opening statement of intent, on both record and in concert: Purple had lost none of its hard rock edge and power with the change in personnel.

In fact, Coverdale and Hughes gave the band a new spark and shine on “Live in California 74.” Coverdale, who would go on to form Whitesnake and is known for his soulful voice, shines on the bluesy “Mistreated,” while he and the high-pitched Hughes trade lead vocals on “Might Just Take Your Life” and “Lay Down, Stay Down.”

Then, of course, there’s Blackmore’s superb guitar playing, from the tasty blues licks on “Mistreated” to the chugging riffs of heavy-metal prototype “Space Truckin’” to the all-time classic chord progression of “Smoke on the Water.” He gives a fiery performance, figuratively and literally – Blackmore’s amps notoriously caught on fire during the set.

Coverdale and Hughes turn in excellent performances on the two tracks above, showing they weren’t intimidated by the classic material that predated their joining Purple. 

 No Deep Purple live experience would be complete without extended jam sessions. Everyone gets a chance in the spotlight, with Paice giving his drums a workout, Lord exhibiting technical yet emotive wizardry on the keys and Blackmore playing to dizzying heights on the 18-minute marathon version of “You Fool No One/The Mule” and the absolutely grueling, 26-minute finale  “Space Truckin.’” 

 Overall: A welcome addition to the collection of classic rock connoisseurs and a fine Purple primer and essential history lesson for young listeners.