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Bonus Episode 24 – Ritchie Returns to Deep Purple – Live at Jones Beach – August 12, 2026

A quick recap in the car of our excursion to go see Ritchie play with Deep Purple on Long Island.

Nate’s video of Ritchie’s performance with the band.

Photo Gallery of Our Trip

Highwaters
Mark and Nate with their highwaters.
The guy who got the setlist deserved it.
Ian and Ritchie’s banter after the song.
The peak of the flood.
“The oceans are rising.”
Pete, Mark, Rich, and Nate
Ritchie’s entourage entered here.
Kansas
Lunch/Dinner after the drive to Long Island.
Obligatory lobster roll.
NYC on the way to Jones Beach. “I used to live there!”

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Episode 382 – Come Taste . . . Loosen My Strings

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0f_f3geXi8

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

New Patron/Patron Upgrades:

  • Robert Dilauro joins us at the $5 “Money Lender” Tier

Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Perfect Strangers”
    • Patron rankings needed by December 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

  • This week from SOUTH AFRICA! Not a postcard, per se, but a very rare Deep Purple vinyl!

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

  • Song: Loosen My Strings
  • Album: Purpendicular
  • Year: 1996
  • Lineup: Mark 6
  • Originally Covered  on Episode #200 – Deep Purple – Purpendicular (Part 1).
    • Written on the fourth day in the studio (January 19th).
    • Recorded on June 16th.
    • From Roger Glover’s Journal: “So to work and yet another magic day happened. I was tuning up and started doodling on the bass, Steve joined in and made it sound really good. Everyone joined in and it wasn’t long before the semblance of a structure emerged. Within an hour it had turned into a very promising song. I was amazed by the ability of Steve to enhance what he heard. The atmosphere around the writing sessions is perfect; relaxed, calm, exciting, happy. The music is flowing from all of us like it hasn’t done since Machine head, though to me is more reminiscent of Hanwell in ’69. Steve is always deferential and modest, but it really feels like he is totally assimilated into the band. We ended the day feeling exhilarated.”
    • Reference to Hanwell Community Center in 1969: http://www.deep-purple.net/archive/a-z/hanwell.htm

Current Playlist Review

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons

Lyrics:

Deep Purple Lyrics
Purpendicular

Loosen My Strings
(Gillan/Glover/Morse/Lord/Paice)

Wake up in the morning
Get into bed
closing my eyes
I rest my head

There is no arrangement
No time no place
It’s gone in the wind
and left no trace

Who can say,
maybe or whatever.
It’s up to you
You know you can trust me
I’ll make it up to you

You move with the action
You loosen my strings
Your fingers can smooth out my jangles
and all those things

Grease on the handle
and the tangles in my hair
They always seem to go together
I don’t care

Ian Gillan’s Wordography:

https://www.gillan.com/wordography-dex.html

Not available at Ian Gillan’s Wordography page.

John Mottola begrudgingly (and mockingly) wiping down acoustic guitar strings after playing sometime in 1996.

Current Playlist Review

This week John had “Loosen My Strings” on his playlist. Nate swaps “A Touch Away” by adding “Loosen My Strings” to his playlist.

Thanks To Our Foundation Level Patrons:

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.
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Episode 381 – Come Taste . . . Watching The Sky

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hk9yMTKhbY (may be banned in some territories)

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-86

Current Playlist Review

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons

Lyrics:

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/lyrics.htm

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/abandon.htm#5

Watching The Sky

(Gillan/Glover/Morse/Lord/Paice)


I sit here alone
I sit here alone
I look at the walls
Look at the walls
Look at the walls
I look at the walls


You shouldn’t be out on your
own oh no not with
a condition like that
oh no sir constant care
A condition like that
a condition so rare a penny
for the guy a penny for your
thoughts one a penny
two a penny penny in
your pocket ding dong bell, who
can tell Wild Man Fischer
got nothing on me


I sit by the water
I sit by the water
Watch it go by
Clouds going by
I’m watching the sky


I left my luggage at the station
Didn’t know how to
say goodbye
I walked away from all the fury
and the madness and the fury
and the madness and the fury
and the madness


I smile to myself
I smile to myself


You’re on the blind side I’m on
the other side now I’m on the
outside looking for another side
upside down side I’m still lucid I
may be crazy but I’m not stupid
try to get out the parking lot’s
full no matter no matter what’s
a man going to do one two
buckle my shoe zip my lip

Ian Gillan’s Wordography:

https://www.gillan.com/wordography-dex.html

Not available at Ian Gillan’s Wordography page.

Current Playlist Review

Thanks To Our Foundation Level Patrons:

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.

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Episode 380 – Come Taste . . . Might Just Take Your Life

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umBdh0pdUMI

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

New Album Release: Splat!

  • Coming out July 3, 2026.

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

  • Song: Might Just Take Your Life
  • Album: Burn
  • Year: 1974
  • Lineup: Mark 3
  • Originally Covered  on Episode #17 – Burn.

Current Playlist Review

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons:

Lyrics:

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/lyrics.htm

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/burn.htm#mig

Might Just Take Your Life
(Blackmore/Coverdale/Lord/Paice)

I got more than I asked for
There ain’t nothin’ I need
Took all ’til I had more
I’m always takin’ the lead
Old man shakin’ dice down on the street
Tryin’ to make a livin’ somehow
But I’m really sure about
Gettin’ things sorted out
I’m gettin’ ready right now

You can’t hold me
I have told you
Might just take your life
Might just take your life

I’ve been called by many names
And all of them are bad
I can take it all the same
It’s all I’ve ever had
I’ve got somethin’ that you can’t get
But one thing you can see
Getting there ain’t easy
But it sure was hard for me

You can’t hold me
I have told you
Might just take your life
Might just take your life

Every time I take a look
There’s someone close behind
They never used to make a pass
The things that crossed their minds
Now they tell me that it’s alright
And they want to be my friend.
They’re ridin’ on my back
When is it goin’ to end?

You can’t hold me
I have told you
Might just take your life
Might just take your life

Got more than I asked for
Got more than I need

Got more than I asked for
Got more than I need

Got more than I asked for
Got more than I need

Current Playlist Review

This week John makes the difficult decision to replace “Sail Away” with “Might Just Take Your Life.” Nate gets a pass this week as his random playlist already contained “Might Just Take Your Life.”

Thanks To Our Foundation Level Patrons:

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.

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Episode 379 – Come Taste . . . Drop The Weapon

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU60sb0j60I

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

New Album Release: Splat!

  • Coming out July 3, 2026.

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons

Lyrics:

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/lyrics.htm

Everybody shouting, working up a sweat
Stepping over lines, you know what happened next
More trouble, than anyone can use
It’s a pre-determined thing, you lose your right to choose
No way to turn it around
You got no more time, no time to calm yourself down
Once you press the button, man, it’s coming to a head
Pretty soon, babe, you’ll be a long time dead

Little brother, I’m telling you now
Your pride can take a hit
Little brother, take a deep breath
Cool off, man, forget about it

Drop the weapon
Kick it away
Drop your gun
Look the other way
Drop the weapon
Live another day
Drop your blade
Listen to what I say

Who you trying to impress? You making a bid
To be a big shot brother, but you’re just a small kid
Now your reputation got a minor stain
It’ll be washed away by tomorrow’s rain
Little brother, I’m telling you now
Your pride can take a hit
Little brother, take a deep breath
Cool off man, forget about it

Drop the weapon
Kick it away
Drop your gun
Look the other way
Drop your weapon
Live another day
Drop your blade
Listen to what I say

No sound of silence
Just streets of violence
We’re in overload
Wrong side of the road
Oh, San Francisco
Where the hell did you go?
We have enough of that
Peace and love

Drop the weapon
Kick it away
Drop your gun
Look the other way
Drop the weapon
Live another day
Drop your blade
Listen to what I say

No sound of silence
Just streets of violence
We’re in overload
Wrong side of the road
Oh, San Francisco
Where the hell did you go?
We have enough of that
Peace and love
Come and hold my hand
Then we can all stand
And say a prayer
To someone out there
Anyone out there

Ian Gillan’s Wordography:

https://www.gillan.com/wordography-dex.html

https://www.gillan.com/wordography-91.html

91 Drop the Weapon

(Airey, Gillan, Glover, Morse, Paice)
From the Deep Purple album WHOOSH!

During my teenage years I had a temporary bout of immortality, but then there were no guns or knives to test the illusion.

Current Playlist Review

This week John and Nate both choose to replace songs on their respective playlists. John replaces “The Long Way Round” and Nate replaces “Man Alive.”

Thanks To Our Foundation Level Patrons

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.
Posted on

Episode 378 – Deep Purple – SPLAT! (Part 2)

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

  • From Ballyshannon and the Bicentennial!

History:

  • Originally slated for November 2025 release.
  • Moved up to June of 2026.
  • Finally settled at July 3, 2026.

Core Band:

Additional Musicians:

Technical:

Art & Design:

  • Adam Corke “oldfangledthing” on Discord sent in this clip from Planet Rock in 2020 in advance of the “Whoosh!” release:
    • “It’s dangerous to talk about the future because as soon as you mention something someone will be on your back going, ‘What happened with that thing you talked about?’ I don’t know. But I’d do another album on one condition: as this album is called Whoosh! then the next one should be called Splat! It’s like that old joke about a bug hitting a windscreen: what was the last thing that went through his mind? His arse . . .”
  • The opening track off of “= 1”, “Show Me” features the line:
    • Before you fall into a trap and then sumpt’ns going splat 
  • We incorrectly identified the artwork as being being by: Candy Medusa
  • Art Direction and Graphic Design by Jekyll & Hyde
  • Additional Design by Alexander Mertsch
  • From an interview in Norway Rock Magazine with Roger Glover:
    • What is the concept behind “Splat!”? Is that also something for Ian?
      • Well, it started maybe as a bt of joke after an album called Whoosh!”. I must admit I didn’t like it as a title for the album. But, you know, we’re five people and we have different thoughts and stuff. Both musically and idea-wise and everything-wise, it’s a compromise. We don’t always agree, but we end up having to agree because otherwise we wouldn’t exist. So you learn to love things you hate. But Ian Gillan was very, very firm and very confident about “splat!”. I couldn’t think of anything else. You can come up with “The Metamorphasis of Venus” or something like that.
      • We also called an album “bananas” once, so, you know, we can do anything. I often used to imagine a review in a magazine when thinking of an album title. “And here’s a new album called whatever it is!” and I try to imagine what it feels like to read that for the first time. And certainly “Splat!” is very simple. It’s not something you forget.

In loving memory of Peter Cooper (1965-2025)

Only thing I could find was the Nashville music journalist Peter Cooper born in 1965 but he passed away in 2022.

Album Tracks:

All songs written by Airey, Gillan, Glover, McBride, Paice

  1. Guilt Trippin’
    • Third single released on June 24, 2026.
    • Video released on June 23, 2026.
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-113.html
      • Although they know what’s coming next (Splat!) God and Darwin are down the pub, having a pint whilst discussing humanity’s population eruption. ‘Charlie, we gotta get the numbers right next time.’ ‘Hum-de-hum, de-hum – de-ha’, says Darwin, who doesn’t like to interfere.
  2. Scriblin’ Gib’rish
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-118.html
      • I found myself failing to complete a test matrix and consequently unable to prove – to a bloody robot – that I was human. I paused and thought ‘this has got to stop’ but of course it was far too late for that. So, I idle away my dehumanisation by having perverse and cryptic intercourse with AI, which seems to have no sense of厖卆nything. It is being driven of course. If you ask the right questions, AI is obliged to answer truthfully協or now. Make the most of it. 
  3. Jessica’s Bra
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-115.html
      • Jessica’s – is a Bawdy Bar wherein resides the salt of the earth. I noticed a typo when reviewing the first sketch of the story. And that gave me the set-up, the first two lines. Rather like ‘The Rider’, I could have written twenty verses for this song as I’ve spent most of my life in such great company and places…it’s all true guv’. 
  4. Third Call
    • As of this recording this song was left off of Gillan’s Wordography. In its place was a song called Hoot ‘n’ Slither.  The lyrics and description (at the time of writing) are here: https://gillan.com/wordography-114.html
    • In an interview with The Sun Gillan talks about this missing track:
      • https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/39627209/ian-gillan-deep-purple-album-splat/
      • “For some time now, I’ve been trying to make an album sound as if all the songs belong,” he says.
      • “There’s one exception on this record and I’m not happy about it,” he announces by way of a slight digression.
      • When I suggest that the track in question might be Third Call, which seems more to do with sex than metaphysics, Gillan replies: “Oh, how did you guess?
      • It should have been called Sore Thumb.
      • “I’ve done my own little album on my computer, replacing it with a song destined to be a B-side or bonus track called Hoot ’n’ Slither, which does fit.”
    • So is the omission of “Third Call” a bit of sour grapes for Gillan?
  5. My New Movie
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-116.html
      • I was daydreaming and walking home along the lane from Henly’s roundabout to Brabazon Road, sometime in 1962. It wasn’t raining that day. A stranger who became known to me as Andy was about to pass when I stopped him to ask if he knew anyone on the estate who could play the guitar. Amazingly, he said he was learning the instrument, along with some friends.
      • ‘Splendid’ I thought, and called them all to rehearsal at my place, Saturday morning at 10 am, and that’s when it all began for me. You never know what might happen if you don’t give it a shot. 
    • Features a passage from Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
    • Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring | The Tabernacle Choir
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesu,_Joy_of_Man%27s_Desiring
    • While I’d heard this a million times (mostly at church as a kid) I couldn’t place it other than recognizing at as Bach. Thanks to patron Ovais Naqvi for identifying it immediately!
  6. Splat!
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-120.html
      • There’s an old cartoon of a spaceship landing in a garage forecourt.
      • One of the aliens approaches a petrol pump and says ‘Take me to your leader’.
      • Aliens are usually depicted as humanoids….in our image…
      • Maybe they were like that, a long time ago. 
  7. Guinnesis (Instrumental)

PATRON MEGA THANKS!

Charts:

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

For More Information & Reviews:

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.

Posted on

Episode 377 – Deep Purple – Splat! (Part 1)

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YK0tjie6qA

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

The Deep Purple Podcast is 100% listener supported and ad-free! If you receive value from our show please consider supporting us!

Patron Benefits:

  • Access to our Patrons-only Discord
  • Access to our ratings spreadsheet
  • Invites for livestream episodes
  • Link for Submission for all album rankings episodes
  • Access to our “Too Hot For YouTube” forbidden episodes via Patreon

Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

  • Coming to us from Montreal and Ireland!

History:

  • Originally slated for November 2025 release.
  • Moved up to June of 2026.
  • Finally settled at July 3, 2026.

Core Band:

Additional Musicians:

Technical:

Art & Design:

  • Adam Corke “oldfangledthing” on Discord sent in this clip from Planet Rock in 2020 in advance of the “Whoosh!” release:
    • “It’s dangerous to talk about the future because as soon as you mention something someone will be on your back going, ‘What happened with that thing you talked about?’ I don’t know. But I’d do another album on one condition: as this album is called Whoosh! then the next one should be called Splat! It’s like that old joke about a bug hitting a windscreen: what was the last thing that went through his mind? His arse . . .”
  • The opening track off of “= 1”, “Show Me” features the line:
    • Before you fall into a trap and then sumpt’ns going splat 
  • We incorrectly identified the artwork as being being by: Candy Medusa

In loving memory of Peter Cooper (1965-2025)

  • Only thing I could find was the Nashville music journalist Peter Cooper born in 1965 but he passed away in 2022.

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons

Album Tracks:

All songs written by Airey, Gillan, Glover, McBride, Paice

  1. Arrogant Boy
  2. Diablo
    • “Diablo” is the second single from Deep Purple’s 24th studio album, “SPLAT!”. The song was premiered on June 5, 2026, accompanied by the music video. 
    • Second single released June 5
    • Video released on June 7
    • DEEP PURPLE – DIABLO (Official Video)
    • Ian Gillan explained the meaning of this song by saying, “It’s about my lover who comes from her hometown. and she’s on a mission to go to Diablo, the most dangerous place on Earth. So, it’s all about taking chances, and just for once in your life do something exciting, step out of the mould, take that little curios bend in the road instead of the sticking to the highway and do something that will, for the rest of your life, either guide or warn you.” 
    • Frontman Ian Gillan has said about ‘Diablo’: “It is all about taking chances. Just for once in your life, do something exciting, step out of the mould, take that curious bend in the road instead of sticking to the highway and do something that will, for the rest of your life, either guide or warn you.” 
    • https://www.nme.com/news/music/deep-purple-share-pummelling-single-diablo-3949468
    • Features Keith Urban on a second guitar solo.
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-112.html
      • My girl and I went to Diablo – by far the most dangerous place on Earth – for her rite of passage.
      • She likes to fight and so – in preparation for the Fist-Fest – she pickled her knuckles in brine.
      • After twenty preliminary and qualifying victories in just four days she faced the fearsome Guts Mackenzie in the final and knocked him out in the second round. The belt now hangs proudly on the wall in her hardware store and she tells the story of her trial to anyone who cares to listen. 
  3. The Rider
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-123.html
      • We’ve all heard and laughed about the stories of excess, relating to contract riders, where star performers demand that a list of whimsical indulgences be provided backstage.
      • I was thinking…what could I add to my tour rider, which was pathetically unimpressive?
      • One day, with friends on a beach in Ria Formosa…we were scoffing belimas and cold beer when someone said, ‘You can’t eat a doughnut without licking your lips…’
      • GOT IT !!!
      • I need a couple of Lip Lickers.
      • Moisturise them both and slap ’em on the rider. 
  4. The Lunatic
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-119.html
      • Inspired by the plight of Winston Smith. Winston is the protagonist in George Orwell’s remarkably prescient book – 1984.
      • Published in 1949
      • More recently, the NHS (UK’s National Health Service) banned usage of the word ‘Lunatic’. Most of my friends are lunatics and so I have taken deep offense on their behalf. 
  5. The Only Horse in Town
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-122.html
      • After his final ‘crack’ hit, the man rose from his dereliction at the entrance to Noble Street and started walking in search of a haven. He found a deserted film set on the High Plains of New Mexico and befriended an abandoned gipsy horse.
      • In the home that fell from the sky, for him and the only horse in town, the man sat at the bar, contemplating, and the horse stood outside at the rail, simple waiting – and swishing his tail.
      • Safe and content. 
  6. Sacred Land
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-117.html
      • Clan MacLaren would gather at Creag an Tuirc (The Boar’s Rock) in times of trouble, to prepare for battle, mostly against MacGregor clansmen, who also laid symbolic claim to the rock.
      • I peered through the mist and saw two of the fearsome warriors, weary, battle scarred and finally at peace….until….they became aware of an approaching threat to the sanctity of ‘their’ rock.
      • And so it goes on… 
  7. The Beating of Wings
    • https://gillan.com/wordography-121.html
      • Don’t be afraid of the dark, little one.
      • Everything will be all right in the morning.
      • Just before dawn, you will hear the beating of wings,
      • As the Angel of Light hurries the night away. 

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The Deep Purple Podcast SPLAT! Album Review

SPLAT! is being released on July 3, 2026.

SPLAT! marks the 24th studio release from Deep Purple since the band formed in 1968. This is the second release featuring their newest member Simon McBride, the 8th lineup that Deep Purple has taken to the studio.

Simon’s influence and energy were immediately present on their 2024 release = 1. Simon, who wasn’t even born when Deep Purples began their 8 year hiatus in 1976, brings a level of technicality and musicianship to the band well beyond his years and is easily the equal of his veteran bandmates. This addition to the band must have been galvanizing for the group as we see them release back-to-back albums a mere two years apart, something they haven’t done since 1996’s Purpendicular followed by 1998’s Abandon.

The concept of SPLAT! saw its genesis during the days when the band were working on the album Whoosh! and was even a Gillan pick for the name of the 2020 release. The concept is simple: humankind on a collision course with death (either collective or singular) like a bug encountering a windshield on the highway.

The album does not suffer from lack of marketing. It is presented as a limited box set featuring a CD, LPs, singles, and a booklet. There are also numerous variations including purple colored vinyl, translucent yellow vinyl, cassette, reel-to-reel, and for those of you with a bit of extra disposable income, a €19,995.00 SPLAT! branded reel-to-reel machine from high end audio company Revox.

For those of you that want to promote the new album when not listening there are t-shirts, jackets, enamel pins, enamel pins, vinyl slip mats, patches, and more available on their Splat! Store. While = 1 featured very sparing design in black and white SPLAT! shows off a rich color palette and lends itself a little better to merchandise and apparel.

The album itself was preceded by three singles showing off the look and feel of the album. The singles were then packaged together as an EP beginning with the most recent release “Guilt Trippin'” as the lead song and featuring two recent live version of the songs “Portable Door” and “Anya.”

1.) Arrogant Boy

The opening track for the album is also the lead single titled “Arrogant Boy.” The single wastes no time opening with a galloping riff by Simon and band. Lyrically the song is about “Billy” who is described in less-than-flattering terms by Gillan. While short for a Deep Purple song, something Bob Ezrin has pointed them toward, it wastes no time featuring solos, a musical flourish section reminiscent of Yes, and a half-tempo bridge with excellent vocals from Gillan.

2.) Diablo

Diablo is maybe the least assuming of the three released singles. It features a simple riff which reminds this listener of “I’m The Slime” by Frank Zappa. The most notable thing about this song is that it features playing by Keith Urban who contributes a solo along with Simon and Don. It may mark the first time a guest guitarist has laid down a solo on a Deep Purple tune. There have been a few guest musicians over the years, mostly more recently, but this may be the first solo. Overall if you aren’t aware of it you may miss it and it seems like an interesting use of Urban as a featured artist.

3.) The Rider

The song opens with a reverberated vintage synth sound reminiscent (to my ears) of a Buchla. After this it goes into chugging hard rock with plenty of creative fills from Ian Paice. The title of the song evoked a lone rider on a horse or perhaps a motorcycle which, to be honest, was not all that appealing to me. Once the vocals started it became evident that it was about the rather fussy conditions of a live performer. The song launches into one of Simon’s most melodic solos in the middle and hits a reprise of the synth intro before concluding.

4.) The Lunatic

This track starts off with the whole band playing a laid back groove. After a verse it quickly breaks into a 7/8 time change before returning to a melodic chorus with brilliant harmonized vocals by Gillan. A new riff is introduced as the song’s organ solo starts. Don lays out one of his most commanding and roaring solos of the album before playing a complicated unison run along with Simon and back to the chorus. As for who the lunatic is, the lyrics keep you guessing.

5.) The Only Horse in Town

Don plucks out a beautiful distorted organ passage before swelling drums, bass, and guitar join in. After the opening bit is played a few times through it morphs into an all too familiar modern Deep Purple progression to introduce the vocals. I have to say that the subject matter suggested by a song called “The Only Horse in Town” did not leave me anticipating this track. That being said the opening line to the second verse made me laugh out loud and I was converted by Gillan’s wacky lyrical sensibilities.

6.) Sacred Land

The opening of the song invokes the sound of a hurdy gurdy but is most likely a synth of some sort. The sound drones on through most of the song. The verse has a Celtic feel to it and mentions the Glen of Creag and Tuirc, a grassy knoll on a crag that is likely familiar to the many Scots listening but that this American had to look up. In this song we’re treated to the first synth solo that is reminiscent of what was peppered throughout = 1 followed by a Simon solo and a fill by Paice that is brilliant in its simplicity.

7.) The Beating of Wings

Unexpectedly this song reminds me of one of the many brilliant slow blues tunes by the great Robert Cray. What captivates me about Cray is his ability to fit many great blues tropes inside of songwriting that is atypical in that genre. Don plays some dirty electric piano to accompany the slow, guitar blues riff played by Simon. The chorus takes the song into a new melodic territory before going back into the verse with some great piano fills by Don and Hendrix-esque ad libs by Simon.

8.) Guilt Trippin’

Beginning with a tinkling Airey piano intro, Guilt Trippin’ was the third single released and the name given to the EP which came out ahead of the album. The song features a very frenzied vocal performance with Gillan. The verse has a staccato and fairly monotone delivery accompanied by a more distant screaming unison lower down in the mix. The piano solo seems a bit out of place even after multiple listens. While it’s obviously expertly played I can’t help but imagine how an organ solo would have done in its place. Of the videos released this one sticks close to the theme of the album complete with a fly that (spoilers!) goes SPLAT! at the very end.

9.) Scriblin’ Gib’rish

A classic swelling organ yields to a chugging guitar while transforming into a discordant synth in the background. It’s easy to be distracted by all of it while Gillan performs the verse with interesting word choices ending in an “ahh-oooh” on each line. The chorus is very typical of this era of the band and leads into a trademark unison run by Don and Simon followed by a synth and guitar solo in the same order.

10.) Jessica’s Bra

When this song came up on the initial track listing I didn’t know what to expect. It’s a fairly inconceivable premise of a bar with a typo on the sign calling it a bra instead. Lyrically this is standard Gillan fare complete with double entendre and running through an odd cast of characters that populate the song’s story. Musically it begins again with a guitar line written in what I would consider the style of 8-bit inspired music which was, in turn, inspired by the hard rock that Deep Purple helped create. More on that later.

11.) Third Call

While giving no indication of where it’s heading the song starts with an ominous chord progression played on the organ. From there I can’t help but be reminded of a Robert Cray arrangement once again. Particularly the playing of Glover, Paice, and McBride together has that rollicking pop-blues feel that Cray has perfected in his career. The song seems to tell a story of a reluctant but irresistible romantic experience. Before the solo a tinkling marimba-like sound still makes me think my phone is ringing each time I hear it. The solo is accompanied by synth horns. While I’m normally opposed to such sounds these work perfectly until they are replaced with a great Hammond solo and finally a return to the organ intro to close out the song.

12.) My New Movie

The penultimate track on the album tells the tale of Gillan’s new movie. Is it telling a story of a literal filmmaker or is it a metaphor? It’s hard to tell. Musically it’s fairly standard with another of McBride’s endless great solos which fades to Don Airey’s snippet of Bach inspired playing reminiscent of “Nothing At All” from Whoosh! followed by another great

13.) Splat!

The title track comes last on this album and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. An excellent groove starts the song switching up to something even funkier in the chorus. The melody is reminiscent of Bleeding Obvious from the previous album. Before the key solo Don Airey treats us to what may be the funkiest bit of playing that Deep Purple has ever recorded, certainly since albums like Stormbringer or Come Taste The Band.

14.) Guinnesis

For many this will be the first song they heard from the new album, albeit during the live show before the album title was even announced. The instrumental evokes the sounds of 1980s video game music, and that’s not meant to be in any way derogatory. The video game music of the 1980s and 1990s was largely inspired by classic bands and their composers were fans of music from bands such as Deep Purple. Those sounds and compositions have now inspired the next generation to write music inspired by the music of their youth.

This song comes available only as a vinyl release as part of the limited edition box set. The only other way to hear it at this point would be to catch it at one of their live shows where it has recently been the lead feature in their encore.

After a few listens I wasn’t sure if I liked this album more than = 1 or about the same. Either way it’s very close. At most I think it’s an excellent continuation. If you liked = 1 then you’ll like SPLAT! It’ll probably take a little more time to make a definitive decision. That being said I don’t know that it matters. The band is on fire right now and releasing great material at an astonishing rate. They are inspired and having fun and it shows in everything they are doing.

You may have seen quotes from the band about this being “the heaviest album we’ve done in decades” or comparing it to Machine Head. I don’t think there’s much merit in either claim and likely just something that they have to say to appeal to more borderline fans. I’d say it’s no heavier than anything they’ve put out in a long time but that’s not a bad thing by any means. Comparisons to Machine Head are preposterous. I see little comparison and that’s a good thing. I’m sure there are those that would welcome this comparison but to me that would show a band that has not evolved in 54 years. The resulting album we are getting is anything but that.

This is a band that has a certain formula and a certain songwriting process that also tends to turn out different things with different lineups over the years. SPLAT! is the latest example of this process and the creative product of a group that continues to explore new themes while giving their fans the connection to the past that they crave.

If you’re a fan of the band and that formula you’ll need to check this album out. If you’re looking for Machine Head again then I have good news for you, it’s readily available for you in many formats.

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Episode 376 – Come Taste . . . One Night in Vegas

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfhclzq34q4

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&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

New Album Release: Splat!

  • Coming out July 3, 2026.

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

  • hh

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

  • Song: One Night in Vegas
  • Album: inFinite
  • Year: 2017
  • Lineup: Mark 7

Song Originally Reviewed:

Episode #296 – Deep Purple – inFinite (Part 1)

Current Playlist Review

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons:

Lyrics:

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/lyrics.htm

Ooh what a night it was, the night I fell apart
I begged a lover not to go away but she went and broke my heart
I found myself in a Vegas bar with a whole new set of friends
Seen through the bottom of an empty glass
Like looking through a fisheye lens

One night in Vegas

It was a morning of revenge for what I did the night before
Which accompanied me to the following day to even up the score
In a stone cold sober mood next afternoon at ten
I found my tongue back in my mouth
And I told myself not to drink again

One night in Vegas

I was three sheets to the wind
The three shots did me in
Three angels there above me
As I was lying on the floor
I knew I should have run for the hills
But I still wanted more

I don’t remember the chapel but I woke up with a wife
I looked at her, she looked at me and now we’re hooked for life
How strange the situation, it’s now been thirty years
Since I met that girl in Vegas
And would you believe it, she’s still here

One night in Vegas
Oh yeah I gotta tell you, one night in Vegas

Ian Gillan’s Wordography:

https://www.gillan.com/wordography-dex.html

Song not covered in Ian Gillan’s Wordography.

Current Playlist Review

This week both Nate and John make changes to their playlists. John replaces “No Need to Shout” with “One Night in Vegas” and Nate opts to replace “Man Alive.” Our first double-swap!

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Episode 375 – Come Taste . . . Dealer

Link to video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb7Qb2oqIKo

Disclaimer: The video used on YouTube is a byproduct of producing our audio podcast. We post it merely as a convenience to those who prefer the YouTube format. Please subscribe using one of the links below if you’d prefer a superior audio experience.

Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Anchor.fm, Breaker, PodBean, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, or search in your favorite podcatcher! 

How To Support Our Show:

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Patron Benefits:

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Thanks to Our Executive Level Patrons

&

The Deep Purple Podcast Hall of Fame

Updates, Live Show Reviews & News:

New Album Release: Splat!

  • Coming out July 3, 2026.

Upcoming Rankings Show:

  • Deep Purple “Come Taste The Band”
    • Patron rankings needed by August 1st
    • Become a patron if you want to be invited to the live stream and submit your rankings!

Postcards From The Edge . . . OF CONNECTICUT!

  • Postcard from
  • Letter about Mary Long with alternate lyrics!
  • A package from Dale Williams containing Rainbow tour booklets!

This Week’s PurplePuter 3000™ Random Song Pick:

  • Song: 
  • Album: 
  • Year: 
  • Lineup: Mark

Thanks to Our Core Level Patrons

Lyrics:

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/lyrics.htm

http://www.deep-purple.net/lyrics/come-taste-the-band.htm

Dealer
(Bolin/Coverdale)

If you fool around
With the dealer
Remember soon
You’ll have to pay
He’ll creep behind you
Like a hunter
Just to steal your soul away…
I don’t want no one
Messing with my woman
But, just the same
I don’t want to see nobody
Fooling with you
If you’re snowblind
Madonna can hold you
But, if you don’t understand
There is nothing she can do for you…

Running from the dealer
Trying to save your soul

I can feel the fire
Coming from inside you
I know what it’s like
Cos I’ve been burned before
Ain’t no mercy
In the hunger, but
You’re a fool to yourself
Cos your dealer keeps you begging for more…

Running from the dealer
Trying to save your soul

In the beginning all you wanted
Was the calm before the storm
If the bluebird plays the eagle
He finds his song will turn to stone….

Dealer…..

Running from the dealer
Trying to save your soul

Thanks To Our Foundation Level Patrons

Current Playlist:

This week John replaces “I Need Love” with “Dealer” on his Come Taste The Band Playlist. Nate already had “Dealer” on his list.

Brendan Ashbrook – Logo Designer

Listener Mail/Comments

  • Comments about the show? Things you’d like us to cover?  We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at info@deeppurplepodcast.com or @ us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads.