Deep Purple |
Finding a major rock concert to attend
on a long holiday weekend is usually a futile task, but this year Deep Purple, Yes, and Hannah Wicklund landed at Northwell
at Jones Beach Theater over Labor Day weekend. The event, led by two classic
rock bands from the late 1960s, did not attract a full house (the upper tier
was completely empty), but the music was better than most rockers might have
anticipated.
Deep Purple, formed as a psychedelic rock band in 1968 in London, England. A pioneer in the then-new genre of hard rock in the 1970s, Deep Purple is best known for its 1973 hit, “Smoke on the Water.” Although personnel changed frequently over the years, the band was celebrated consistently for its high caliber vocalists and musicians. Presently, the band consists of one original member (drummer Ian Paice, 76 years old), two veteran members (bassist Roger Glover, 78, and vocalist Ian Gillan, 79), and two 21st century additions (keyboardist Don Airey, 76, and guitarist Simon McBride, 45).
Deep Purple |
Deep Purple |
Deep Purple’s = 1 More Time Tour
is billed as “Celebrating 50 Years of Smoke on the Water.” The house lights
extinguished, the stage lights turned on, Gustav Holst’s “Mars, the
Bringer of Wars” blasted through the sound system as an overture, and outer
space visuals projected onto the three large overhead screens. The musicians sauntered
onstage and launched into 1972’s octane-infused “Highway Star.”
Although the band drew much of the set from
its 20th century catalog, the stellar musicianship on each song gave
the songs new life. Rather than recreate the original recordings note for note,
each song was extended to introduce new solos and ensemble arrangements. Gillan
sang in a strong voice, and also shared bits of Deep Purple history between
songs. McBride, who replaced Steve Morse in 2022 after Morse left
after 28 years to care for his ill wife, proved to be a breath-taking metal
shredder on his guitar. Airey, who joined Deep Purple when original keyboardist
Jon Lord retired in 2002, was a master at the piano, organ and synthesizer; his
mid-performance solo brilliantly combined all three sounds. Glover and Paice finely
held down the rhythm section.
Deep Purple |
Deep Purple |
The set included five
songs from Deep Purple’s 23rd and most recent studio album, =1.
The collection, released just six weeks earlier on July 19, is the first to
feature the current cast. Perhaps because these five songs originated from the present
team, they sounded as rich and forceful as the four vintage songs from 1972’s Machine Head and the three classic songs from 1970’s
Deep Purple in Rock.
Ironically, “Smoke on the Water” was one
of the least impressive songs of the set. Some 50 years later, Deep Purple is
so much more than that very familiar riff. Now in its seventh decade, Deep
Purple is far from over the hill.
Deep Purple |
Yes |
As contemporaries of Deep Purple, Yes
also formed in 1968 in London, England. Among the pioneers of the then-new
progressive rock genre, Yes remained a successful arena act through
much of the 1970s until its initial split in 1981. Reformed in 1983, a more
mainstream-sounding Yes enjoyed its biggest commercial hit with “Owner of a
Lonely Heart.”
Frequently shifting lineups have left
Yes with no original members since the death of bassist Chris Squire in 2015. Yes presently
includes two veterans (guitarist Steve Howe, age 77, who joined in 1970,
and Geoff Downes, 72, who joined in 1980) and three newer members (vocalist Jon
Davison, 53, bassist Billy Sherwood, 59, and drummer Jay
Schellen, 64, all of whom joined in the 21st century). Yes released Mirror
to the Sky, its 23rd and most recent studio album, in 2023. It was the
band's first studio album with Schellen as a full-time member following the
death of long-time Yes drummer Alan White in 2022.
Yes |
Yes |
Co-headlining the stage with a 70-minute
set, Yes’ The Classic Tales of Yes tour featured only eight songs due to
the length of each complex composition. The set did not include any songs from
the most recent album. The set also did not include the band’s biggest hit, “Owner
of a Lonely Heart.” Instead, all the songs were drawn from five Yes albums
released between 1971 and 1980.
In a very unusual move, photographers
entering the concert’s photo pit were warned that they must not distract Steve
Howe. Indeed, Howe and the rest of the musicians appeared to be intensely focused
on the music they were creating. Technically, the music that the musicians
played was wow, especially the interplay between Howe and Downes.
Entertainment-wise, however, the lack of animation among the musicians left the
fun on the screens above them, which often featured the acclaimed artwork of
Roger Dean, the artist who designed Yes’ album covers.
Yes |
Hannah Wicklund |
Hannah Wicklund, an independent blues-rock
singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, held the opening slot with a
30-minute set. Deep Purple was one of the first major bands she ever saw live,
at the age of 10. Now in her mid-20s, she formed her first band at age eight. Normally
backed by a bassist and drummer, she took this gig as a solo performer, belting
her soulful songs and accompanying herself only with her electric guitar. She
performed a commendable set, although the 6:30 p.m. slot meant she played to
more empty seats than music fans. She received a positive ovation.
Hannah Wicklund |
Deep Purple |
Deep Purple Setlist
- Highway Star
- A Bit on the Side
- Hard Lovin' Man
- Into the Fire
- (guitar solo)
- Uncommon Man
- Lazy Sod
- (keyboard solo)
- Lazy
- Show Me
- Portable Door
- Anya
- Bleeding Obvious
- Space Truckin'
- Smoke on the Water
Encore
- Green Onions (Booker T. & the MG’s cover)
- Hush (Joe South cover)
- Black Night
Deep Purple |
Yes |
Yes Setlist
- Machine Messiah
- I've Seen All Good People
- Yours Is No Disgrace
- Clap
- Going for the One
- Siberian Khatru
Encore
- Roundabout
- Starship Trooper
Yes |
Yes |
***
The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's
live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All
photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted
otherwise.
For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's September calendar.
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