Deep Purple – Nobody's Perfect (1988): A Live Retrospective of Hard Rock Legends
By 1988, Deep Purple had firmly established themselves as one of rock’s most influential bands. That year, they released Nobody’s Perfect, a double live album capturing the band’s dynamic stage presence during their 1987 world tour in support of The House of Blue Light. This album offers fans an electrifying live experience and a retrospective of Deep Purple’s career, blending classics from the 1970s with their 1980s material.
Album Overview
Album: Nobody’s Perfect
Artist: Deep Purple
Release Date: 1988
Label: Polydor / Mercury
Genre: Hard rock, live rock
Length: 96:30 (double LP / CD version)
Producer: Deep Purple
Nobody’s Perfect features the reunited Mark II lineup—Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Jon Lord (keyboards), Roger Glover (bass), and Ian Paice (drums). The album is a live compilation of recordings from various shows on their 1987 world tour, capturing the energy, precision, and improvisational skill that made Deep Purple legendary on stage.
Unlike earlier live releases, Nobody’s Perfect includes both hits and extended jams, providing a career-spanning overview of the band’s music in a live setting.
Mini Review
Nobody’s Perfect is widely regarded as one of Deep Purple’s definitive live recordings. The album opens with an explosive “Highway Star”, immediately showcasing Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar prowess and Ian Gillan’s commanding vocals.
The setlist spans classics like “Smoke on the Water”, “Perfect Strangers”, and “Space Truckin’”, along with bluesy jams like “Lazy”, highlighting Jon Lord’s organ wizardry and the band’s improvisational skill. The live production captures the raw energy of the performances, with audience reactions adding to the authentic concert atmosphere.
While some critics noted occasional variations in sound quality due to recordings from multiple venues, fans widely praise the album for its intensity, musicianship, and career-spanning scope.
Notable Tracks
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Highway Star: High-octane opener with virtuosic guitar riffs and thunderous drumming.
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Perfect Strangers: Atmospheric and dramatic, showcasing the reunion lineup’s chemistry.
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Smoke on the Water: Iconic anthem delivered with live intensity and extended solos.
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Space Truckin’: Explosive performance with audience interaction and extended improvisation.
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Lazy: Bluesy jam highlighting Jon Lord’s organ and Blackmore’s guitar interplay.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Career-Spanning Live Set: Includes material from both the classic Mark II era and the 1980s reunion albums.
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Multiple Venues: Recordings were taken from several concerts around the world during the 1987 tour.
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Double Album Format: Released as a double LP/CD, allowing extended versions of fan-favorite tracks.
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Reunion Era Showcase: Captures the energy and technical skill of the Mark II lineup post-reunion.
Goofs & Missteps
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Some tracks feature slight inconsistencies in audio mixing due to recordings from different venues.
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A few songs are edited or shortened for the album format, which may disappoint purists.
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The album does not include every classic hit, focusing instead on the live tour setlist.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
Nobody’s Perfect performed well commercially and became a fan favorite live album. It reinforced Deep Purple’s reputation as one of the most electrifying live rock acts in history.
Over time, the album has remained a reference point for anyone wanting to experience Deep Purple’s live energy in the 1980s. Tracks like “Highway Star”, “Perfect Strangers”, and “Space Truckin’” continue to be staples in discussions of the band’s legendary performances.
Conclusion
Nobody’s Perfect is an essential live album that captures Deep Purple at the height of their reunion era. From the explosive “Highway Star” and iconic “Smoke on the Water” to the improvisational brilliance of “Space Truckin’” and “Lazy”, the album showcases the band’s musicianship, energy, and enduring appeal.
For fans seeking a definitive live experience of Deep Purple, Nobody’s Perfect offers a thrilling, career-spanning journey through the band’s greatest moments on stage.
