Personnel: Glenn Hughes (vocals, bass guitar); David Coverdale (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards); Ian Paice (drums).
Liner Note Author: Nigel Young.
Recording information: 11/1973.
Photographer: Fin Costello.
The first Deep Purple album to feature Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale, resulted in a much more bluesy effort all round. Coverdale's throaty roar, combined with Hughes' soaring vocal, made for a heartfelt, rootsy record. 'Might Just Take Your Life' was a hit single, and the album featured a series of extended jams, which worked most spectacularly with the elongated 'Mistreated', later resurrected by Coverdale as a live favourite with Whitesnake. The title track and 'Lay Down, Stay Down' gave vent to their more familiar refrains and emphasized the strength of their songwriting.
Professional Reviews
Uncut (p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[F]or the most part a dark and brooding affair....Marley, in particular, was keen to return to the roots - at once mystical and menacing - of the original Wailers."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.127) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A] tense, creative triumph."
