Deep Purple is doing its fans proud by re-issuing their entire back catalogue augmented with a royal amount of bonus tracks. To be honest the actual playing time of the band’s 1973 album Who Do We Think We Are is a bit short for the CD format, but then again it remains one hell of an album. Fully remastered, the seven original songs are very clean and it’s as if you’re sitting in during the actual sessions. Especially Ian Paice’s drums sound very close, as if you’re in the control booth. Opening with “Woman From Tokyo” can’t go wrong as this was a classic from the moment you heard it. With headphones on “Super Trooper” is one hell of an experience what with the phasing on the drums taking you to another planet. I have always loved the use of that cowbell during the opening for “Rat Bat Blue” but it’s only now that I hear the handclaps very clearly. And what a great combination Jon’s Hammond organ and Ritchie’s guitar form during the bluesy “Place In Line." But it’s the bonus tracks we're mostly interested in as we have already been enjoying the original vinyl album for 28 years (help I’m getting old!). First up is a ’99 remix of “Woman From Tokyo." Apparently Ian’s recordings are as crisp as if they were recorded yesterday. The ending is particulary funny with Jon Lord throwing in a jolly outro. From the same sessions an alternative bridge is recorded as well. The band’s stay in Italy in order to record to complete the album in fact only resulted in the track “Woman From Tokyo” plus the song “Painted Horse” which previously was only available on the now deleted “Powerhouse” compilation from 1977. In fact it was only Ian Gillan and producer Martin Birch who liked that song in the first place so it was never used until now. To be honest it’s not a very good song with its harmonica woven throughout. There’s a short writing session for what would later become “Rat Bat Blue” yet here it’s genuine rock’n roll all the way with Ritchie experimenting. From the original sixteen tracks Roger Glover remixed “Rat Bat Blue” in New York, this time incorporating some superfast clavinet playing by Jon next to superb Hammond like only Jon can. The song ends with spontaneous applause and funny bits. As during the recording sessions near Frankfurt, Roger Glover had taken the wrong turn and he had to drive a further thirty kilometers before he could take the right turn again. Meanwhile in the studio Ritchie had taken Roger’s Rickenbacker bass and with Ian on drums and Jon on organ the final recording on this remastered edition is “First Day Jam," a wonderful fluent jam with out of this world organ playing by Jon and, as always, outstanding drumming from his brother-in-law Ian Paice. It’s probably the only known recording with Blackmore playing the bass. A rare find indeed and what a great way to finish a remarkable re-issue. If your vinyl copy is to be replaced don’t think twice and go for this issue NOW! Reviewed by : John 'Bobo' Bollenberg |
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