Deep Purple - Inglewood - Live in California (2002)
Deep Purple – Inglewood: Live in California (2002)
Hard rock perfection captured live in the Golden State
Released in 2002, Inglewood: Live in California is an official live album documenting Deep Purple during their Steve Morse era (Mk VII), capturing the band in top form at The Forum in Inglewood, California, part of their mid-1990s touring cycle. This recording offers a polished, high-energy concert experience, contrasting with some of the rougher “soundboard” archival releases of the time.
The album showcases a seasoned, confident Deep Purple, blending classic hits with more modern material, highlighting both technical skill and enduring stage presence. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to evolve without losing their core identity.
🎧 Mini Album Review
Inglewood: Live in California is notable for its precision, clarity, and energy. Unlike some live albums that polish performances to perfection, this release maintains a live feel while ensuring the mix is clean and the instruments balanced.
Steve Morse’s guitar work is prominent throughout, offering a fresh interpretation of Blackmore-era material without attempting to imitate it. Ian Gillan’s vocals are strong and controlled, Jon Lord’s keyboards remain commanding, and the rhythm section of Roger Glover and Ian Paice drives the band forward with impeccable timing.
Highlights include the classic “Smoke on the Water” and “Highway Star”, which sound as powerful as in the 1970s, and newer tracks like “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming”, which demonstrate the band’s evolution into the 1990s rock landscape.
Verdict:
A high-quality live album that balances nostalgia with contemporary performance, ideal for fans of both classic and modern Deep Purple.
🎶 Tracklist – Standard Edition
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Ted the Mechanic
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Pictures of Home
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Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
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Steve Morse Guitar Solo
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Perfect Strangers
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Lazy
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No One Came
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Smoke on the Water
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Highway Star
The setlist blends classic Mk II material with post-Blackmore era songs, emphasizing the band’s versatility and Morse’s integration into the group.
📊 Commercial Performance
Inglewood: Live in California was primarily aimed at dedicated fans and collectors rather than mainstream charts. Key points:
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Released by Eagle Rock Entertainment
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Positive reception among fans for sound quality and performance accuracy
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Not charted internationally, but contributed to the catalog of official live releases for the Morse-era Deep Purple
The album reinforced the band’s ongoing presence in the live market, bridging the gap between historical releases and newer performances.
👥 Personnel – Mk VII Lineup
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Ian Gillan – Lead vocals
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Steve Morse – Guitar
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Jon Lord – Hammond organ, keyboards
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Roger Glover – Bass
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Ian Paice – Drums
This lineup is widely praised for stability, technical precision, and musical chemistry, which is evident in this live performance.
🎸 Performance Highlights
🔥 “Ted the Mechanic”
An energetic opener from the Purpendicular era, showcasing Morse’s sharp riffs and the band’s tight rhythm.
🎹 “Pictures of Home”
One of the standout tracks — extended guitar and organ interplay captures the song’s dynamic intensity.
🎸 “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming”
Demonstrates the band’s continued songwriting prowess post-Blackmore, with a melodic approach and sustained audience engagement.
🚀 “Highway Star” & “Smoke on the Water”
Classic hits performed with precision and energy, showing the band still capable of delivering these iconic songs live decades later.
🎸 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎤 Morse integration:
Steve Morse had been in the band for several years by this point and fully reinterpreted classic Blackmore-era riffs while adding his own improvisational flair.
🎵 Live endurance:
Despite long touring schedules, the Mk VII lineup was known for tight, consistent performances, unlike some chaotic live shows in the band’s past.
📀 Sound clarity:
The album was recorded professionally for commercial release, not just from the soundboard — offering a fuller, more immersive listening experience than earlier archival recordings.
🎹 Jon Lord’s finale:
Lord often included extended keyboard passages and classical motifs during solos, blending rock with his signature orchestral sensibilities.
🤔 Did You Know?
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This concert was part of the mid-1990s Japanese and North American tour cycle, known for combining classic and modern material.
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“Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming” was a fan-favorite post-1995 track that remained a staple in live setlists for the Morse era.
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The album demonstrates the longevity of Deep Purple’s live appeal, proving the band could still perform at peak energy decades after their peak commercial success.
🧠 Legacy & Final Thoughts
Inglewood: Live in California captures Deep Purple at a moment of mature confidence, where experience and skill outweigh raw chaos. It’s not as legendary as Made in Japan, but it offers a crisp, controlled, and satisfying live experience for fans of both the classic and modern eras.
This release is essential for fans of the Steve Morse era, and it highlights the band’s continuing relevance in live performance well into the 21st century.
