Deep Purple – Singles A’s & B’s (1978): Essential Hits and Hidden Gems
Deep Purple, one of the most influential hard rock bands in history, has a vast catalog of iconic tracks, spanning heavy riffs, virtuosic solos, and memorable vocal performances. In 1978, the band released Singles A’s & B’s, a compilation album that brings together their most memorable A-side singles along with rare and lesser-known B-sides. This album is an essential collection for both dedicated fans and newcomers looking to explore the breadth of Deep Purple’s musical achievements.
Album Overview
Album: Singles A’s & B’s
Artist: Deep Purple
Release Date: 1978
Label: Warner Bros. / Purple Records
Genre: Hard rock, classic rock
Length: 45:50
Producer: Deep Purple
This compilation spans material from the band’s classic Mark II lineup—Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice—while also including tracks from later lineups such as Mark III with David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. Singles A’s & B’s was designed to highlight the band’s dual identity as both hitmakers and adventurous musicians, offering listeners both widely recognized singles and hidden B-side treasures.
Unlike standard greatest hits albums, this compilation presents the band’s singles in a way that emphasizes their diversity, ranging from hard rock anthems to bluesy and experimental tracks.
Mini Review
Singles A’s & B’s succeeds in capturing the energy and versatility of Deep Purple. The A-sides deliver the instantly recognizable hits that helped define the band’s career, while the B-sides provide deeper insights into their musical experimentation.
Tracks such as “Black Night” and “Never Before” showcase the band’s knack for crafting hard-hitting yet melodic rock songs, while “When a Blind Man Cries”, a B-side, highlights their blues influences and emotional depth. The compilation flows smoothly, alternating between intense rockers and slower, more reflective tracks, creating a balanced and engaging listening experience.
This album is ideal for fans who want to explore beyond the studio albums and experience both Deep Purple’s commercial and creative sides.
Notable Tracks
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Black Night: One of Deep Purple’s most iconic singles, driven by Ritchie Blackmore’s powerful guitar riff.
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Never Before: A dynamic track blending melodic sensibility with hard rock energy.
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When a Blind Man Cries: A deeply emotional blues track, originally a B-side that became a fan favorite.
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Kentucky Woman: A cover that demonstrates the band’s ability to reinterpret songs while infusing their signature hard rock sound.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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First Singles Compilation: This was the first Deep Purple compilation dedicated specifically to A-sides and B-sides, giving rare tracks a wider audience.
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Rare B-sides: Several tracks were previously difficult to find, making the album a collector’s item upon release.
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Bridges Multiple Lineups: Includes songs from both Mark II and Mark III lineups, showing the band’s evolution over time.
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Growing Popularity of B-sides: Tracks like “When a Blind Man Cries” gained popularity after the release of this compilation and became staples in later live performances.
Goofs & Missteps
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Some tracks are single edits rather than full-length album versions, which may disappoint purists.
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The compilation does not include every Deep Purple single, meaning it is not fully comprehensive.
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Audio quality varies slightly between tracks due to their different original recording sessions.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
Singles A’s & B’s received moderate commercial success but quickly became highly valued among fans for its combination of hits and rare B-sides. It reinforced Deep Purple’s reputation as a band capable of delivering both chart-topping singles and deeper, more experimental material.
Today, the compilation is considered a must-have for collectors and fans who want a curated snapshot of the band’s single-oriented output. Its influence is also seen in later compilations, which focused on providing both hits and rarities in one package.
Conclusion
Singles A’s & B’s is an essential Deep Purple compilation, offering a perfect blend of hard rock hits and hidden gems. From the riff-driven “Black Night” to the emotional “When a Blind Man Cries”, the album captures the breadth of the band’s talent and evolution.
For fans new and old, Singles A’s & B’s delivers a concentrated, high-quality experience of Deep Purple’s singles legacy, highlighting both their commercial success and their musical creativity.