Deep Purple hook-up with an orchestra but this is not classical rock, more Deep Purple with added strings and horns added into their classic songs.

The band have a history of working with orchestras dating way back to their early years and even in their solo works - Roger Glover's 'Butterfly Ball.' So something like this idea of touring their rock classics with an orchestra seems a natural progression.

It works exceedingly well, be it adding some funky vibe to 'Woman From Tokyo' and the orchestral backing really adds to 'Lazy'.

The band members still get to strut their stuff, Steve Morse solos away on 'The Well Dressed Guitar' and when THAT riff starts on 'Smoke On The Water', the home crowd go understandably wild.

'Hush' and 'Black Night' both get extended workouts and throughout the album it sounds as though Ian Gillan is having a ball.

Fans of the band will love this CD I am sure as the band have taken their classics and given them a new lease of life, adding the orchestra in when needed.

****½

Review by Jason Ritchie

DVD review