Date:17/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/17/stories/2006121718160400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Deep Purple to perform today

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Some serious music talk and some typical dry British humour marked the interaction with Deep Purple ahead of its concert in the city on Sunday.

The band comprising Ian Gillian (vocals), Steve Morse (guitarist), Roger Glover (bassist), Don Airey (pianist) and Ian Paice (drums) said that it was wonderful to be performing in Bangalore. They had fond memories of the first concert in 2001 when they were "pleasantly surprised" that so many people knew Deep Purple, they said.

The band is on a world tour to promote its latest album Rapture Of The Deep which has a distinct eastern influence to it. But they are expected to perform their classics that include "Smoke On The Water", "Hush", "Highway Star" and "Woman From Tokyo".

Gillian said that even though they had visited India four times now, they did not have the chance to see the country. "We always get a very special welcome here. The first time was mind-blowing. But we are used to a lot of Indian influences growing up in Great Britain."

Though Deep Purple has not collaborated with any Indian band, Morse recollected the time he spent with Trilok Gurtu and L. Shankar.

"Indian music is deep. I have worked with John McLaughlin. I have seen Pandit Ravi Shankar play at rock/jazz fests across America and for our generation, he made Indian music popular. I have worked with Shakti and thus came into contact with Trilok Gurtu and L. Shankar. L. Shankar is the most dedicated musician I have seen. His physical and spiritual commitment struck me," he said.

They said their "roots" were deep and they had grown and evolved bringing the history of all members together.

Reflecting on the time they broke up between 1976 and 1984, they said, "We never felt like we actually went away. You sort of get into a difficult situation and ask how did it happen? You wish you weren't in that situation. You try not to do it again. The longer you go on together, the more we understand each other."

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Cathedral School.

One entrance is from Richmond Road and the other from Mother Teresa Road. Arrangements have been made for parking vehicles at Bangalore Military School (Mother Teresa Road entrance), Baldwins Boys' School (Hosur Road), Bishop Cottons Girls' and Boys' School (Residency Road, from here buses will pick up and drop people to the concert).

Tickets will also be available at the venue.