The band logos of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple were meticulously hand-painted onto my school rucksack. I was 13 years old and living in Wimborne, England. I would charge my friends a pound for a band logo or two pounds for Motorheads salivating snaggletooth logo; completing art-class assignments was also on my list of paid services.
We were living in rural Dorset, where in 1978 nothing mattered more than rock music, heavy rock music. My Corfe Hills School friends and I idolised the likes of Robert Plant & Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne & Toni Iommi, Ian Gillan & Ritchie Blackmore. To us, they were rock gods, and we worshiped them day and night. Together we had a great collection of albums, MACHINE HEAD by Deep Purple was one of our favourites. I can't remember who owned the original copy on vinyl, but we all had a copy on cassette complete with carefully written song titles.
By 1972 Deep Purple (Mk 2) were firing on all cylinders. The band had evolved over a period of six years from a progressive rock band to a fully fledged commercial juggernaut. MACHINE HEAD was to be recorded at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland. But as the song "Smoke On The Water" tells us, 'some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground' during a Frank Zappa show. A new location was found, and the album was recorded at the empty Grand Hotel on the Lake Geneva shoreline, using the Rolling Stones' mobile recording unit.
The album kicks off with "Highway Star" which after all these years still sends shivers up my spine. The pure virtuosity and power of the playing is awe inspiring. MACHINE HEAD is not all a wild ride, the album is very diverse, incorporating classical music, blues, funk and even a touch of jazz on "Lazy", which is another of my favourite tracks.
I love the interplay of classical motifs and heavy rock riffs between guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and Hammond organ player John Lord. I love the vocal range, tone, and screams of vocalist Ian Gillan, as well as the military precision of drummer Ian Pace and bassist Roger Glover. Couple this with solid songwriting by the band and the renowned production skills of Martin Birch, and you have a match MADE IN JAPAN (sorry I just couldn't resist.)
MACHINE HEAD is 'old school' British Heavy Metal at its very best. Buckle-up for the ride of a lifetime!
SINGLES:
"Never Before"
"Smoke On The Water"
"Highway Star"