Sunday 14 July 2019

15. Deep Purple: Bananas (2003): Because We Can


By 2003 Deep Purple may not have been the hottest ticket in heavy rock, and this gem of an album seems to have passed by largely unnoticed. I bought my own copy off a supermarket record shelf, shocked by the fact that I had missed the release even though I considered myself a fan of the band. Lucky me – because this is one of the most varied and in fact best records this great band ever made.

The first thing that comes to mind is the variation of styles and sounds – which still make for a distinct entity. From the steamrolling ”House Of Pain” to almost AOR:ish ballad ”Haunted”, the sprightly rolling ”Razzle Dazzle”, ”Silver Tongue” with its’ clever riff – and that’s just the beginning. Steve Morse is an accomplished guitarist with a great taste, Don Airey fills the greatest pair of boots in rock keyboards – those of Jon Lord – with assurance, and Roger Glover and Ian Paice may be the greatest rhythm anchor pairing in heavy rock, possibly topped only by messrs Lynott and Downey of Thin Lizzy. 

Actually, the Morse version of the band is at a level where they could choose to play almost anything, and it would sound good. Listen to the majestically flowing ”Walk On” for an example – or the slightly funky ”Picture Of Innocence”, the most typical Purple track of the album ”I Got Your Number” with the trademark guitar-keys interplay, or the quirky pop track ”Doing It Tonight”, and hear for yourselves.

The songs are good - did I mention that already? The arrangements are great, the playing second to none – but for me, the king of these tracks is Ian Gillan. Aged 57 at the time of recording, I believe, he does his thing with style and grace, not shying of a scream when it’s needed – and manages to come up with another set of lyrics way beyond the sex, booze and machoism stuff so often disgracing hard rock. 

I don’t know how many copies this album sold, and I’m guessing Deep Purple were quite in demand on the tour circuit – but ”Bananas”, as well as all subsequent Purple albums, speak to me of an artistic freedom, of making good music ”because we can”. Which is a good thing, because the four studio records they’ve put out in the 21st century are as entertaining a body of music as any in the rock business, while also proving that age most definitely is nothing but a number. Long may they run!


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15. Deep Purple: Bananas (2003): Because We Can

By 2003 Deep Purple may not have been the hottest ticket in heavy rock, and this gem of an album seems to have passed by largely unnoticed...