Deep Purple Perfect Strangers CD

Deep Purple: Ian Gillan (vocals, harmonica, congas); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards, synthesizer); Roger Glover (synthesizer, bass); Ian Paice (drums).
Recorded at Horizons, Stowe, Vermont.
Digitally remastered by Suha Ger (Universal Music Group Studios).
Personnel: Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards); Roger Glover (synthesizer); Ian Paice (drums).
Audio Remixer: Suha Gur.
Recording information: Horizons, Stowe, VT.
Photographers: George Bodnar; Mickey Gregory .
Unknown Contributor Roles: Ian Gillan; Ian Paice; Jon Lord; Ritchie Blackmore.
Deep Purple's definitive Mark II lineup reunited for 1984's Perfect Strangers. It is one of the better examples of a reunion album, although the band's uneasy camaraderie only lasted a few more years. "Knocking at Your Back Door" opens the album with a roar. Ian Gillan's lyrics don't make much sense, but Ritchie Blackmore's guitar riffs and Ian Paice's thunderous drumming carry this song as well as the rest of the album. The robotic rhythm of the title cut relies on Jon Lord's organ work. The 1999 remastered reissue features the bonus track "Son of Alerik." This fascinating, mid-tempo, ten-minute instrumental was the B-side of the "Perfect Strangers" 12" single in the U.K. ~ Bret Adams
In the early '80s, many of the top metal acts of the past had either disbanded or soldiered on despite the loss of founding members. Deep Purple had officially disbanded in 1976, with only two original members present in the final lineup, but by 1984, the classic lineup of vocalist Ian Gillan, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, and keyboardist Jon Lord had reunited. Responsible for such classics as MACHINE HEAD and MADE IN JAPAN, the group was considered amongst metal's elite, and judging from its first comeback album, 1984's PERFECT STRANGERS, DEEP PURPLE hadn't lost its magic touch in the slightest.
The album was a major worldwide hit, going platinum in the U.S., and spawning several rock radio hits. Despite the changes that occurred in the musical landscape during the band's absence, the group did not change its sound much for the reunion, sticking to the ingredients that made them so exceptional in the first place--Gillan's wailing vocals, Blackmore's shredding guitar, and the rock-steady three-part rhythm section. The title track recalls Led Zeppelin's sprawling epics ("Kashmir," etc.), while the melodic rockers "Knocking At Your Back Door" and "Nobody's Home" prove to be standouts as well.Q (10/99, p.147) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...proved an engagingly effective comeback, its regal title track echoing past glories while 'Knocking At Your Back Door' saw screamer Ian Gillan cracking schoolboyish jokes about cunning linguists..."