What we see here is a surprisingly good live version of “You Keep On Moving,” a Deep Purple song from their 1975 album “Come Taste The Band.” It’s a song that was written two years prior to the album release and it was supposed to be recorded for the 1973 album “Burn,” but due to Ritchie Blackmore’s negative attitude towards funk and soul music, it was dropped as an idea then. Well, luckily for the song, Blackmore left the band in 1975 and Deep Purple’s Mark 4 recorded this beautiful, epic tune. When Ritchie left Deep Purple, there was uncertainty over whether the band would continue, as they did when Ian Gillan and Roger Glover left in 1973. It was David Coverdale who asked Jon Lord to keep the band together, and Coverdale was also a major factor in recruiting Tommy Bolin to take the guitar slot. They recorded “Come Taste The Band” and disbanded after the world tour that followed.
The video you’re watching in the background is taken from “Celebrating Jon Lord,” a two-volume DVD from a live event in honor of the Purple keyboardist and founding member. His passing in 2012 was sad for the obvious reasons, but also because he was about to release a just finished re-imagining of his "Concerto for Group and Orchestra," a piece Deep Purple first played live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969, and one that is often cited as the first true meeting of classical and rock. Surviving members of Deep Purple were on hand for the tribute, as well as Paul Weller, Whitesnake's Micky Moody, Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman and many others, including the Orion Orchestra conducted by Paul Mann. The evening opened with a classical set from the orchestra, then went to a more rock-oriented second act, before concluding with a set by Deep Purple, complete with an all-star closing version of "Hush." “You Keep On Moving” was sung by the duet of Bruce Dickinson and Glenn Hughes, although Hughes dominates the performance. Bruce is a great singer and I have a feeling he was “mixed down” a bit. Anyway, he could have put on some suitable stage clothes - this way, besides Hughes, he looks like he works in the cargo business. No offense to his fans (oh, there’s a rhyme!) but this is no way for a rock star to appear on such a special occasion. Otherwise, excellent performance by everyone on stage. Enjoy!
