Deep Purple - Live in Newcastle 2001 (2019)
Deep Purple – Live in Newcastle 2001 (2019)
A powerful snapshot of the Steve Morse-era band
Released in 2019, Live in Newcastle 2001 captures Deep Purple performing in Newcastle, England, during the Morse-era lineup: Ian Gillan, Steve Morse, Don Airey, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice. The concert was part of the tour supporting Bananas (2003), but the recording provides a snapshot of the band in 2001, blending classic Deep Purple hits with tracks from the early Steve Morse era.
This live album demonstrates that, decades after their formation, Deep Purple continued to deliver tight, high-energy performances that balanced the legacy of Mk II with modern interpretations.
🎧 Mini Album Review
Live in Newcastle 2001 is tight, dynamic, and focused, showcasing:
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Steve Morse: Guitar work is precise and melodic, adding fresh energy to classic riffs.
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Ian Gillan: Vocals remain powerful and expressive, commanding the stage.
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Don Airey: Keyboards provide rich layers, blending modern touches with the Hammond-driven style of Jon Lord.
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Roger Glover and Ian Paice: Deliver tight, driving rhythm, providing both power and groove.
Verdict:
A high-quality live recording that highlights the Steve Morse lineup at its prime, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.
🎶 Tracklist – Representative Highlights
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Pictures of Home
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Black Night
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Perfect Strangers
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Strange Kind of Woman
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Lazy
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Smoke on the Water
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Highway Star
The setlist combines classic Deep Purple staples with tight modern-era arrangements, reflecting the band’s enduring live appeal.
👥 Personnel – Steve Morse Lineup
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Ian Gillan – Vocals
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Steve Morse – Guitar
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Don Airey – Keyboards
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Roger Glover – Bass
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Ian Paice – Drums
This lineup demonstrates consistency, versatility, and tight musicianship, blending decades of experience with modern performance energy.
🎼 Performance Highlights
🔥 Pictures of Home
A dynamic opener with soaring vocals and intricate riffs, immediately engaging the audience.
🌊 Lazy
Extended improvisational sections allow Morse and Airey to explore the arrangement, providing a fresh take on this classic.
🎹 Perfect Strangers
Showcases tight rhythm, melodic interplay, and Gillan’s commanding vocals, making it a modern live highlight.
⚡ Smoke on the Water / Highway Star
Classic anthems close the set, delivering high-voltage rock energy with updated performances that maintain the songs’ iconic feel.
🎸 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎤 Rare early 2000s live document
This recording captures the Steve Morse lineup before many official live releases, giving fans insight into the band’s performances in 2001.
🎹 Don Airey shines
Even in 2001, Airey’s keyboards blend classic Hammond tones with modern synthesizer textures, bridging eras.
📀 Live energy preserved
Unlike heavily edited live releases, this album maintains the immediacy and raw energy of a concert experience.
🎸 Morse-era reinterpretations
Steve Morse adds nuance and improvisation to classic Deep Purple tracks, updating them for modern performances.
🤔 Did You Know?
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The Newcastle show was part of the early Steve Morse tours in the UK, helping solidify the band’s modern live identity.
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Ian Paice, as always, anchors the band with technical precision and energy, over 40 years into Deep Purple’s career.
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Tracks like Lazy and Highway Star feature extended live improvisations not present on studio recordings.
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The release was remastered to highlight the clarity and power of the live performance, making it one of the definitive Steve Morse-era live albums.
🎼 Album Credits
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Recorded: 2001, Newcastle, England
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Released: 2019
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Label: earMUSIC / Edel Records
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Producer: Deep Purple archival team
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Format: CD, digital
🧠 Legacy & Final Thoughts
Live in Newcastle 2001 is a definitive snapshot of the Steve Morse-era Deep Purple, highlighting:
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Tight, high-energy performance of classic hits and modern material
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The technical skill and interplay of the Morse lineup
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The band’s ability to keep decades-old songs fresh while introducing new elements
For fans, this release offers a thrilling modern-era concert experience, showing that Deep Purple’s live power and precision remain undiminished well into the 21st century.
