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Friday, March 6, 2020

Deep Purple - Live in Rome 2013 (2019) | Album Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Deep Purple - Live in Rome 2013 (2019) front album coverDeep Purple - Live in Rome 2013 (2019) back album cover

Deep Purple - Live in Rome 2013 (2019)


Deep Purple – Live in Rome 2013 (2019)

A modern-era powerhouse live performance

Released in 2019, Live in Rome 2013 captures Deep Purple performing at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle in Rome, Italy, during their 2013 world tour supporting Now What?! (2013). This release documents the Steve Morse lineup—Ian Gillan, Steve Morse, Don Airey, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice—delivering a career-spanning live set that blends classic Deep Purple hits with modern material, demonstrating the band’s enduring strength on stage.

The Rome performance exemplifies the precision, energy, and musical chemistry that the Steve Morse lineup has maintained for over two decades.


🎧 Mini Album Review

Live in Rome 2013 is dynamic, polished, and full of energy, showcasing:

  • Steve Morse: Guitar work combines technical mastery with expressive improvisation, giving classic tracks a modern twist.

  • Ian Gillan: Vocals are commanding, balancing high-pitched intensity and soulful phrasing.

  • Don Airey: Keyboards provide rich textures, blending Hammond organ influences with contemporary sounds.

  • Roger Glover and Ian Paice: A tight and powerful rhythm section, anchoring the band’s expansive sound.

Verdict:
A definitive modern-era live album, capturing Deep Purple at their peak in the 2010s, perfect for fans of both classic and contemporary material.


🎶 Tracklist – Representative Highlights

  1. Hard Lovin’ Man

  2. Strange Kind of Woman

  3. Rapture of the Deep

  4. Perfect Strangers

  5. Lazy

  6. Smoke on the Water

  7. Highway Star

The setlist balances classic hits with modern-era songs, giving a well-rounded concert experience.


👥 Personnel – Steve Morse Lineup

  • Ian Gillan – Vocals

  • Steve Morse – Guitar

  • Don Airey – Keyboards

  • Roger Glover – Bass

  • Ian Paice – Drums

This lineup demonstrates stability, virtuosity, and stage chemistry, blending decades of experience with fresh interpretations.


🎼 Performance Highlights

🔥 Rapture of the Deep
A modern-era track performed with vitality and precision, highlighting the band’s ability to integrate new material seamlessly into live sets.

🌊 Lazy
Extended improvisation sections give Morse and Airey room to showcase their virtuosity, turning the track into a live highlight.

🎹 Perfect Strangers
Displays the tight interplay of rhythm, melody, and vocals, making it a standout in the set.

Smoke on the Water / Highway Star
Classic anthems close the show with explosive energy, blending nostalgia with the Morse-era reinterpretations.


🎸 Fun Facts & Trivia

🎤 Rome concert energy
Italian audiences are known for their enthusiasm, and this performance demonstrates how the band feeds off a passionate crowd.

🎹 Don Airey’s versatility
Airey adapts the classic Hammond organ style of Jon Lord while introducing modern keyboard textures, bridging eras seamlessly.

📀 Tour documentation
The recording is part of the 2013 world tour archive, capturing a representative high-quality performance of the modern lineup.

🎸 Morse-era reinterpretations
Steve Morse brings subtle improvisation to classic tracks, making familiar songs feel fresh and exciting.


🤔 Did You Know?

  • This show was part of the European leg of the Now What?! tour, which combined classic hits with songs from the 2013 studio album.

  • Ian Paice continues to deliver precision and energy, keeping the band’s live sound tight after decades on the road.

  • Tracks like Lazy feature extended solos and improvisation, a hallmark of Deep Purple’s live shows.

  • The album provides a high-quality official live record of the Steve Morse-era for fans who may only know the band’s earlier Mk II performances.


🎼 Album Credits

  • Recorded: 2013, Rome, Italy

  • Released: 2019

  • Label: earMUSIC / Edel Records

  • Producer: Deep Purple archival team

  • Format: CD, digital


🧠 Legacy & Final Thoughts

Live in Rome 2013 is a modern-era celebration of Deep Purple’s live prowess, highlighting:

  • The band’s ability to blend classic hits with modern material

  • Steve Morse’s guitar virtuosity and improvisational skill

  • Tight, powerful rhythm and keyboard work

  • A live performance that captures the energy and precision of Deep Purple decades into their career

For fans, this release is a must-have modern-era live document, proving that Deep Purple continues to deliver legendary performances with passion and skill.