“Made In Europe” came out in 1976 and it features the line-up of Richie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Glenn Hughes.
The shows were recorded in 1975 before Blackmore left, however the album was released in 1976 long after Blackmore left and the version of Deep Purple after that had also broken up.
I am very picky when it comes to live albums. I think the problem is that I grew up with two many live albums that weren’t actually live or had some parts live and other parts recut in a studio.
So when I heard an official live album the first time with no studio overdubs I though I was listening to a bootleg. It was bad and I felt like I got ripped. Some of the bootlegs I had sounded better. It took me a while to understand that a revising could never capture the power of a live performance properly and within time I started to enjoy the live albums with no studio overdubs.
Burn
The opening riff is more iconic to me than “Smoke On The Water”. The drumming from Ian Paice is thundering.
But press play to hear the bass playing of Hughes during the solos. It’s monstrous and he carries the rhythm section on his shoulders.
Mistreated
Because of its bluesy nature, it’s a great song to extend when you play it live. And the main riff is written by none other than David Coverdale himself.
But my go to version of this song is the cut that Whitesnake did. Reb Beach goes to town during the solo section.
Lady Double Dealer
It’s a 12 bar blues, bit its fast, like NWOBHM fast.
Check out the bass playing from Hughes on this.
You Fool No One
It has about 2 minutes of doodling, something which was common back then but not these days. These days, its song after song after song, with zero jamming.
After the doodling, there is a riff which is played, fast and almost thrash metal like. It’s something that Blackmore would do with Rainbow.
But the problem I have with this song is that they’ve take an almost 5 minute song and turned it into a 16 plus minutes song.
Maybe just a bit too indulgent.
However the artists ruled back then and no one would have dared to tell Blackmore to solo less.
Stormbringer
Another killer Blackmore riff. The tempo of the live version is a bit faster than the studio version and its perfect for the song.
You can hear the embryo of the NWOBHM right here.
The falsetto highs of Hughes are excellent and his bass playing dominates again.
This version of Deep Purple only lasted for two studio albums, but they are two albums I hold in high regard and rate as favorites.
And you can’t pass up a live album with Coverdale on vocals.
“Here’s a song for ya”.
destroyerofharmony 
I really need to go back and check out some of this stuff Pete. I need to retire so I can catch up on all the rock stuff
Even in retirement when we are meant to have more time we have less of it.
damn! lol
I remember reviewing this one and I liked it a lot. But I do agree that taking a 5 minute song and turning it in to a 16 minute track is a bit nuts. But a huge fan of the Hughes/Coverdale era
Yeah, Blackmore had no problem drawing a song out eons past its original runtime. I don’t mind extended jams on songs but he did take it to a whole new level.
Sometimes it was just too much. He did the same with Rainbow On Stage
On Stage is actually an exercise in moderation compared to Munich 77. On Stage is my go to for when I actually want the shorter live versions of those Rainbow songs.
I like On Stage as well, but I’m just saying that a song like “Catch The Rainbow” went from a six minute studio cut to 18 minutes.
True, but it was a slower song and an album cut so I don’t mind it as much. It bothers me more that a more uptempo, single-like, song like Space Truckin’ got the 18 minute treatment.
Lol yep I can’t forget Space Truckin
After listening to Live in London, this one just falls really flat for me.
Mmm if you’re talking about the recent Live In London release, musically the band is on fire but Gillian’s voice isn’t in the best of form. But he still delivers a great vocal on Perfect Strangers.
And the production on London is better than this one.
Sorry, no I was talking about the Live in London re corded in ’74
I haven’t heard that one. But I did find it on Spotify so I’ll give it a listen.
I just hate extended jams overall. I get bored easily. I think “Mistreated” sounds awesome live, though.
It’s a great song.
With an incredible riff!