DVD review: DEEP PURPLE – Live At The NEC

Eagle Rock [Release date 26.08.16]

In September 2002 Deep Purple took to the stage at the Birmingham NEC to bid a fond farewell to legendary keyboard player Jon Lord, who had earlier that year retired for health reasons. Having previously only been available as part of the “Around The World Live” box set, this is the first time that the show has been available as a single disc.

The concert lasts nearly two hours and places live classics like “Hush”, “Black Night”, “Highway Star” and “Smoke On The Water” alongside deeper cuts such as “Mary Long”, “Lazy” and “Ted The Mechanic”.

However, the night is stolen by a stunning rendition of, coincidentally my favourite Deep Purple song, “Perfect Strangers”- because it is at this point that Jon Lord takes over from current ivory tinkler Don Airey and lifts the set a notch. He then stays in situ for the remainder of the show sharing keyboard duties throughout some of the bands biggest hits.

Lord himself said on the night that it was emotional playing songs that he knew he’d never perform again and you can almost feel the emotion whilst he is on stage.

The band are on form and, although at times you feel Gillan’s voice isn’t what it once was he then blows it out the water – with a great rock n roll medley in ‘Speed King’. Guitarist Steve Morse is as solid and dependable as ever and during his solo plays a medley of some of the best known riffs in the history of popular music before launching into a rousing “Smoke On The Water”.

“Live At The NEC” is a good gig and a great reminder of the genius of the one and only Jon Lord. Deep Purple don’t seem to show any sign of slowing down even now, and Ian Gillan put it best when he said “We are not on the rock n roll highway anymore, but taking the scenic route”. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)