Deep Purple in Concert is a live album by the English hard rock band Deep Purple, recorded by the BBC for their "In Concert" live series in 1970 and 1972. First released in 1980 in the UK, with the current US edition being made available in 2001.
Album content
Sides 1 and 2 of the LP (later the first CD) feature the live recording from the BBC Studios in London on 19 February 1970; the band stepped in at the last minute for Joe Cocker, who cancelled his scheduled appearance. DJ John Peel introduced the tracks as they were performed. Sides 3 and 4 of the LP (later the second CD) are the gig from 9 March 1972, this time with DJ Mike Harding as compere. The latter recording features the only known live recording of "Never Before" (it was out as a single at the time) and a rare Mk II line-up (Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Roger Glover and Ian Paice) offering of "Maybe I'm a Leo". These two songs were played instead of the usual "Child in Time" to promote the new forthcoming album Machine Head, released at the end of that month (March, 1972).
"Smoke on the Water" (the first ever live performance) and "Maybe I'm a Leo" were not included on the original double LP vinyl release in 1980, although "Smoke on the Water" was made available as a single release. The vinyl was housed in a gatefold-sleeve with photo-liners.
Reissues
The track lengths on many of the 2001 reissues are incorrect.
In 2004, the contents of the second disc were remastered and released on SACD as Live on the BBC, on Audio Fidelity, with two bonus tracks (studio versions of "Hush" and "River Deep Mountain High").
In 2012, the contents of the second disc were remixed and released as In Concert '72, with the original set list in its correct order for the first time. It was not quite the full recording, as some between-song chat was cut, presumably for timing purposes. No music was lost.
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