Deep Purple – Live At
Montreux 1996 (DVD-Video + CD)
Picture: C+
Sound: B Extras: C Concert: B-
There were so many great British bands from the original
wave of 1960s invasions that never returned for a later career that it is no
wonder Rock suffered irreparable damage in the 1980s. Not having had a major hit album since 1974, Deep Purple stunned
the industry with a pair of comeback albums with Perfect Strangers ten
years later, followed by The House Of Blue Light in 1987. They had not lost their touch or skill, all
of which carried over into two appearances at Montreux in 1996 and 2000.
Eagle Eye/Eagle Vision and Eagle Records have issued a new
DVD and CD of the 1996 concert, both offering something different in the way of
bonus tracks. The standard DVD-Video
offers 11 songs from the 1996 concert, including classics like Smoke On The
Water and they have it more than many of their peers still playing
now. Ian Gillan may have a rougher
voice, but it was always rough and is still distinctive. The DVD has one track more from the 1996 set
(Cascades: I’m Not Your Lover Now) than the CD, but both retain the same
set order.
The 1.33 X 1 image is shot on analog PAL video that shows
its age somewhat, but is not bad otherwise.
The sound options are PCM 2.0 16bit Stereo on both discs (CD at 44.1kHz
versus 48kHz on the DVD) that are full enough, while the DVD adds 5.1 Dolby
Digital and 5.1 DTS that is the best option among both discs. It is not the like the multi-channel sound
on the U.S. DVD-Audio or import SACD of Machine Head, but is full enough
to outdo these options.
The extras on both discs are from their 2000 return to
Montreux, with Fools and Sometimes I feel Like Screaming on the
CD, and Sixty-Nine, Perfect Strangers, When A Blind Man Cries,
Lazy and Highway Star on the DVD. The bonus video is letterboxed 1.78 X 1 with a slightly
washed-out look throughout. Why it was
not anamorphic is odd, but the band could still play and that is what
counts. Diehard fans will likely want
both releases, which are sold separately.
- Nicholas Sheffo
