V.A. – Re-Machined; A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head (+ bonus track) *HQ*
After the Deep Purple – Machine Head featured here a few days ago, it was requested as well “Re-Machined; A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head”.
“Re-Machined; A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head” isn’t exactly a tribute album. It’s in fact an official re-recording of Deep Purple’s seminal album ‘Machine Head’ – celebrating its 40th Anniversary – by some of the biggest names in today’s Rock music.
‘Machine Head’ has been re-interpreted here by such genre star acts such as Chickenfoot, Metallica and Iron Maiden in addition to legendary guitarists Steve Vai, Carlos Santana, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde and top vocalists like Glenn Hughes, Joe Elliott, Jimmy Barnes and more.
The result is successful, finding all these classic songs performed with respect and first class music journalism. Some versions in style are faithful to the originals, some not – and in that variety is where it turns interesting.
Glenn Hughes & Chad Smith do some magic with their heavy funk take on “Maybe I’m A Leo”, Black Label Society rocks on “Pictures Of Home” with a hot version, while Jimmy Barnes & Joe Bonamassa shine in “Lazy”, although organist Arlan Schierbaum is the star there.
After that, Iron Maiden plays a heavy & loud “Space Truckin´” cover which we like a lot. Metallica does “When A Blind Man Cries”, a b-side that R. Blackmore used to hate back in a day. Hetfield and Co. have been playing this tune for years as some kind of a heavy ballad, maintaining the Purple spirit and soul.
“Never Before” is played by Kings Of Chaos, some kind of supergroup featuring Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens on guitar and the once Gun ‘N Roses rhythm section; Duff McKagan & Matt Sorum. This is a groovy cover with a superb guitar work (as usual) by Stevens.
And then let’s talk about the real classics;
I was really curious to listen “Smoke On The Water” by pop band The Flaming Lips… such an odd choice. Well, it’s some kind of electronic weird version, bizarre. A missing opportunity. On the other hand, Santana & Jacoby Shaddix play a pretty same-as-original version of this eternal classic, and rocks greatly.
At the beginning of the CD Chickenfoot delivers a great rockin’ version of “Highway Star”, but the bonus one with Glenn Hughes is better. Both are enjoyable anyway.
Originally Black Country Communion was going to do “Highway Star”, but Bonamassa was just too busy. So Chickenfoot did it.
When Hughes heard the news about Jon Lord’s death, he asked to record his own cover of “Highway Star” as tribute to Lord. So they got Steve Vai for a very quick, live and wonderful recording session. According to Hughes; “Steve Vai is a king… he inspired me to really open up my pipes and go for it, which I did, for Jon.”
Highly Recommended
1. Smoke On The Water
Carlos Santana & Jacoby Shaddix
2. Highway Star
Chickenfoot
3. Maybe I’m A Leo
Glenn Hughes & Chad Smith
4. Pictures Of Home
Black Label Society
5. Never Before
Kings Of Chaos: Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum
6. Smoke On The Water
Flaming Lips
7. Lazy
Jimmy Barnes with Joe Bonamassa
8. Space Truckin’
Iron Maiden
9. When A Blind Man Cries
Metallica
Bonus Track:
10. Highway Star
Glenn Hughes, Steve Vai, Chad Smith, Lachlan Doley
BUY
www.amazon.com/Re-Machined-Purple-Tribute-Various-Artists/dp/B008OTTSX4
