Deep Purple – The Book of Taliesyn (1968): Psychedelia, Power, and a Band in Transition
Released in October 1968, The Book of Taliesyn is the second studio album by English rock band Deep Purple. Coming just months after their debut Shades of Deep Purple, the album captures the band pushing further into psychedelic rock, progressive experimentation, and extended instrumental passages. While still far from the hard rock titans they would soon become, Deep Purple were rapidly developing their musical identity and technical confidence.
Often described as darker, heavier, and more adventurous than their debut, The Book of Taliesyn stands as an important stepping stone between late-1960s psychedelia and the explosive hard rock sound that would define the band in the 1970s.
Album Overview
Album Title: The Book of Taliesyn
Release Date: October 1968
Label: Tetragrammaton Records (US), Harvest / Parlophone (UK)
Producer: Derek Lawrence
Genre: Psychedelic rock, progressive rock, hard rock
Length: 45:44
Formats: Vinyl, cassette, CD, digital
Named after a 14th-century Welsh manuscript containing medieval poetry, the album’s title reflects the band’s growing interest in mysticism, classical themes, and ambitious compositions.
Tracklist
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Listen, Learn, Read On – 4:01
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Hard Road – 4:09
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Kentucky Woman – 4:45
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Exposition – 5:27
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We Can Work It Out – 6:42
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The Shield – 6:33
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Anthem – 6:53
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River Deep – Mountain High – 11:17
Mini Album Review
The Book of Taliesyn expands Deep Purple’s sonic palette with longer tracks, darker moods, and more aggressive musicianship. Jon Lord’s Hammond organ dominates much of the album, often competing with Ritchie Blackmore’s increasingly fiery guitar work.
The band continues their habit of reinventing contemporary songs, with bold interpretations of Neil Diamond’s Kentucky Woman and The Beatles’ We Can Work It Out. The latter is transformed into a sprawling, jazz-tinged psychedelic jam.
Original compositions such as Anthem and The Shield hint strongly at the epic structures Deep Purple would later master. Meanwhile, River Deep – Mountain High closes the album with an ambitious 11-minute reimagining that blends soul, psychedelia, and proto-hard rock into a dramatic finale.
Deep Purple at This Stage
By late 1968, Deep Purple were touring extensively, especially in the United States, where they enjoyed greater commercial success than in the UK. The band was beginning to feel the limitations of their psychedelic approach, particularly guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who was eager to move toward a heavier, riff-based sound.
Tensions within the lineup were already forming, setting the stage for major changes just a year later.
Band Members (Mark I Lineup)
Rod Evans – Lead vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
Jon Lord – Hammond organ, keyboards
Nick Simper – Bass guitar
Ian Paice – Drums
This lineup would only record one more studio album before being partially replaced, marking the end of Deep Purple’s psychedelic era.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Kentucky Woman became a Top 40 hit in the US.
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The album sold better in America than in Britain, similar to the band’s debut.
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Jon Lord began integrating classical motifs more heavily during this period.
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Anthem was inspired by classical symphonic structures rather than blues.
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The band’s live performances during this era were louder than most psychedelic acts.
Did You Know?
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The Book of Taliesyn was recorded while the band was constantly touring.
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Ritchie Blackmore later criticized the album’s reliance on cover songs.
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The title references ancient Celtic mythology, reflecting the era’s fascination with mysticism.
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River Deep – Mountain High is one of Deep Purple’s longest studio recordings.
Goofs & Oddities
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Early pressings listed incorrect track lengths.
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Some listeners mistakenly believed Exposition and We Can Work It Out were separate tracks.
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The album’s UK release was delayed compared to the US.
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Several tracks were rarely, if ever, performed live after 1969.
Discography Context
The Book of Taliesyn sits between Shades of Deep Purple (1968) and Deep Purple (1969). Together, these three albums represent the band’s formative psychedelic phase before the radical shift to hard rock on In Rock (1970).
Most Popular Songs from the Era
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Hush
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Kentucky Woman
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Mandrake Root
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We Can Work It Out
Legacy and Influence
Though often overshadowed by later classics like Machine Head and In Rock, The Book of Taliesyn is essential for understanding Deep Purple’s evolution. The album showcases a band unafraid to experiment, stretch song structures, and challenge genre boundaries.
Its fusion of psychedelia, classical ambition, and raw power foreshadows the heavy sound that would soon dominate arenas worldwide. For fans of late-1960s rock experimentation, this album remains a fascinating and rewarding listen.
Conclusion
The Book of Taliesyn (1968) captures Deep Purple at a crossroads. Still rooted in psychedelic rock but clearly pushing toward something louder and heavier, the album stands as a bold, ambitious statement from a band on the verge of reinvention. While not their most famous work, it plays a crucial role in the story of one of rock music’s most enduring legends.
