Machine Head is the sixth and most commercially successful studio album Deep Purple ever produced. The band was coming off a two-year tour, and wanted to capture a sound closer to their live shows on the next studio effort. They booked the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio for the recording and booked time at the Montreux Casino. However, just before their studio time was to begin, a fire was started during a concert for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and the casino burned to the ground. They then att...
Machine Head is the sixth and most commercially successful studio album Deep Purple ever produced. The band was coming off a two-year tour, and wanted to capture a sound closer to their live shows on the next studio effort. They booked the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio for the recording and booked time at the Montreux Casino. However, just before their studio time was to begin, a fire was started during a concert for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and the casino burned to the ground. They then attempted to record at a nearby theater, but this had to be abandoned due to noise complaints. Finally, they were able to secure time at the Grand Hotel in Montreux which had been closed for the winter, and recorded the album. The band did not set up in a ballroom, but at the end of a hallway, and had to communicate with the mobile studio via closed circuit TV.
The album was both a critical and commercial success, topping the charts in many countries and landing at number 7 on the Billboard 200. It also produced many of the iconic Deep Purple songs and riffs.
Wayne brings us this forerunner of prog rock and heavy metal.
Highway Star
The opening track to the album is a killer anthem live and features the Hammond organ prominently. The guitar solo would gain notoriety, and the readers of Guitar World voted it number 15 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitar Solos."
Smoke on the Water
The opening riffs are amongst the most famous guitar riffs of all time. This song tells the story of the band's experience where they almost recorded at the Montreux Casino, but instead watched the building burn to the ground after a flare gun was shot off at the Mothers of Invention concert. The smoke was from the casino burning down, and the water was Lake Geneva.
Pictures of Home
This deeper cut describes the sights and images of the local area around Montreux, far away from home for Deep Purple.
Space Truckin'
This space themed anthem was inspired by the music from the 1960's "Batman" television series. The lyrics themselves are nonsense, but the riffs and the sci-fi vibe make this rocker a favorite. William Shatner covered this song on his album "Seeking Major Tom."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the motion picture “The French Connection”
Gene Hackman starred in this crime thriller which won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 44th Academy Awards in April, 1972.
STAFF PICKS:
Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll by Blue Oyster Cult
Bruce's staff pick is the debut single from the debut self-titled Blue Oyster Cult album. While it did not chart, it would become one of their most famous anthems. Drummer Albert Bouchard is on vocals, and the lyrics explore the aftermath of nuclear war, using rock and roll as a metaphor for destruction.
You Could Have Been a Lady by April Wine
Rob brings us the leading single from the Canadian band's album "On Record." This is a cover originally released in 1971 by the British soul band Hot Chocolate. It would be April Wine's first hit, charting at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Back off Boogaloo by Ringo Starr
Brian's staff pick is a non-album single Ringo Starr released in March 1972. Former bandmate George Harrison produced and helped write this song, and played guitar on the single. It was recorded shortly after Harrison and Starr appeared in the Concert for Bangladesh. Many consider it an attack on Paul McCartney's solo work at the time.
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Wayne features a Cajun cover originally written by Hank Williams in 1952. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was a country rock group from Long Beach, California, and this cover appears on their sixth studio album.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Afro Strut by the Nite Liters
We close out this week's podcast with this funk and soul instrumental.
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