Deep Purple – Whoosh! (2020)
The Steve Morse lineup delivers modern-era vitality
Released on August 7, 2020, Whoosh! is the twenty-second studio album by Deep Purple and the fourth studio album featuring the Steve Morse lineup. Produced by Bob Ezrin, the album continues the trajectory set by Now What?! (2013) and Infinite (2017), combining classic Deep Purple hard rock elements with contemporary production.
Whoosh! demonstrates that even over 50 years into their career, Deep Purple remains capable of producing music that is energetic, melodic, and relevant, balancing vintage riff-driven rock with modern sonic textures.
🎧 Mini Album Review
Whoosh! delivers a vibrant mix of hard rock, blues, and melodic exploration:
-
Steve Morse: Guitar work is inventive, melodic, and precise, giving both new and classic-style tracks fresh energy.
-
Ian Gillan: Vocals remain powerful, flexible, and expressive, handling both aggressive rockers and mid-tempo ballads with ease.
-
Don Airey: Keyboards provide harmonic depth and dynamic textures, bridging Jon Lord’s legacy with modern sensibilities.
-
Roger Glover and Ian Paice: Rhythm section is tight, driving, and versatile, forming the backbone for the band’s expansive sound.
Verdict:
A strong, polished modern-era Deep Purple album that successfully merges the band’s classic sound with contemporary relevance.
🎶 Tracklist
-
Throw My Bones
-
Man Alive
-
All I Got Is You
-
What the What
-
The Power of the Moon
-
Nothing at All
-
Drop the Weapon
-
And the Address
-
Dancing in My Sleep
-
Step by Step
-
Uncommon Man
The album blends up-tempo rockers, melodic mid-tempo tracks, and an instrumental tribute, creating a well-rounded listening experience.
👥 Personnel – Steve Morse Lineup
-
Ian Gillan – Vocals
-
Steve Morse – Guitar
-
Don Airey – Keyboards
-
Roger Glover – Bass
-
Ian Paice – Drums
This lineup exemplifies stability, cohesion, and technical skill, demonstrating decades of collective experience.
🎼 Performance & Song Highlights
🔥 Throw My Bones
A powerful opener with driving riffs, tight rhythm, and commanding vocals, setting a high-energy tone.
🌊 All I Got Is You
A melodic track showcasing Morse’s expressive guitar lines and Airey’s layered keyboards.
🎹 Uncommon Man
An instrumental tribute to founding member Jon Lord, featuring Morse and Airey interplay, highlighting the band’s musicality.
⚡ Step by Step
A classic Deep Purple-style rocker with catchy riffs and modern production polish, bridging the past and present.
🎸 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎤 Produced by Bob Ezrin
Ezrin, known for working with Pink Floyd and Alice Cooper, brings a clean, dynamic production that emphasizes the band’s energy.
🎹 Tribute to Jon Lord
Uncommon Man honors Jon Lord, who passed away in 2012, celebrating his contributions to Deep Purple’s sound.
📀 Contemporary lyrical themes
Tracks such as Throw My Bones and Drop the Weapon reflect modern social and personal themes, showing the band’s continued relevance.
🎸 Morse-era reinterpretations
Steve Morse’s guitar work adds fresh nuances and energy to classic Deep Purple-style compositions.
🤔 Did You Know?
-
Whoosh! is the fourth studio album featuring the Steve Morse lineup, following Rapture of the Deep (2005), Now What?! (2013), and Infinite (2017).
-
The album was recorded at Poppy Studios in Switzerland, giving the band a focused, collaborative environment.
-
Ian Paice, at over 70 years old, continues to deliver flawless drumming, anchoring the band’s complex arrangements.
-
Uncommon Man was performed live for the first time during the 2020 tour, celebrating Jon Lord’s legacy.
📊 Commercial Performance
-
Charted in Germany (#4), UK (#6), Switzerland (#3), and other European countries.
-
Praised by critics for balancing classic Deep Purple hard rock energy with modern production and melodies.
-
Reinforced Deep Purple’s status as one of rock’s most enduring and active bands.
🎼 Album Credits
-
Released: August 7, 2020
-
Label: earMUSIC / Edel Records
-
Producer: Bob Ezrin
-
Format: CD, vinyl, digital
🧠 Legacy & Final Thoughts
Whoosh! confirms that Deep Purple’s Steve Morse-era continues to be vital, creative, and musically adventurous:
-
Classic hard rock foundations are blended seamlessly with modern production
-
Morse’s guitar work provides technical sophistication and melodic depth
-
Airey, Glover, and Paice anchor the band with precision and versatility
-
Gillan’s vocals remain powerful and commanding, bridging generations of rock fans
For both longtime fans and newcomers, Whoosh! is a compelling demonstration that Deep Purple continues to innovate while respecting its legacy, proving the band’s relevance in the modern rock era.
