The Steve Morse Years in Deep Purple: A Retrospective
Here I am taking a delve deep into the Steve Morse era of Deep Purple, a period that has given us some really memorable moments not only within the Deep Purple story but in Rock music overall.
The Deep Purple Legacy
As many of you know, I’m a die-hard Deep Purple fan. Ritchie Blackmore, with his unpredictable live performances, has always been a favorite of mine. His unpredictable nature on stage, whether he’s in a good mood or hiding behind amps, has always been a topic of discussion among fans. I’ve been fortunate to witness him at his best, but there have been instances, like the “Come Hell or High Water” gig, where his mood affected the performance.
The Arrival of Steve Morse
When Deep Purple announced they were bringing in Steve Morse, I was initially unfamiliar with his work. My research led me to his time with Kansas and Dixie Dregs. My first real introduction to Morse’s style was through “Dick Pimple,” a track distributed at the 1995 Deep Purple convention. It was a revelation.
Ranking the Steve Morse Albums
If I were to rank the Steve Morse era albums:
- Perpendicular – A masterpiece that redefined Deep Purple. Tracks like “Cascades” and “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming” are timeless.
- Now What?! – A rebirth for the band in 2013, Deppe Purple go PROG.
- Whoosh! – Their most recent offering, with tracks like “Throw My Bones” and “Dancing in My Sleep.”
- Abandon – Quite possible their heaviest album ever.
- Bananas – Despite its quirky cover, it houses tracks like “Sun Goes Down” and “Silver Tongue.”
- Rapture of the Deep – Highlighted by its title track.
- Infinite – With “Time for Bedlam” standing out.
- Turning To Crime – I have cooled my opinion towards this as time as gone by.
Top Steve Morse Tracks
From these albums, my top 20 tracks include classics like “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming,” “Seventh Heaven,” and “Above and Beyond.” These tracks showcase the brilliance of Steve Morse and how he breathed new life into Deep Purple.
- Sometime I Feel Like Screaming
- Seventh Heaven
- Rapture of The Deep
- Above and Beyond
- The Aviator
- Uncommon Man
- Cascades (I’m Not Your Lover)
- Time For Bedlam
- Castle Full of Rascals
- 69
- Apres Vous
- The Power of The Moon
- Silver Tongue
- Remission Impossible
- Dancing In My Sleep
- Bananas
- Rosa’s Cantina
- Vincent Price
- Wrong Man
- Sun Goes Down
Live Performances
In terms of live performances, Steve Morse’s renditions of “Pictures of Home” and “Fools” stand out. He took these classics and made them his own, showcasing his unique style and flair.
In Conclusion
The Steve Morse era of Deep Purple is as valuable as any other period in the band’s history. His contribution has been immense, and his tracks are a testament to his talent and the band’s adaptability.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
