Deep Purple - The Mark II Purple Singles (Compilation Album) (1979)
Deep Purple – The Mark II Purple Singles (1979): Celebrating the Classic Lineup
Deep Purple, one of rock music’s most influential and enduring bands, is best known for the iconic Mark II lineup featuring Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice. In 1979, the band released The Mark II Purple Singles, a compilation dedicated to this legendary lineup’s greatest single releases. This collection highlights both the band’s hard-hitting anthems and melodic rock gems, offering a definitive overview of Mark II’s contribution to rock history.
Album Overview
Album: The Mark II Purple Singles
Artist: Deep Purple
Release Date: 1979
Label: Warner Bros. / Purple Records
Genre: Hard rock, classic rock
Length: 44:05
Producer: Deep Purple
This compilation focuses exclusively on the Mark II lineup, which is widely regarded as Deep Purple’s most celebrated and influential formation. It gathers the band’s major single releases from the early 1970s, showcasing their musical versatility and mastery of both hard rock and melodic composition.
Unlike typical greatest hits collections, The Mark II Purple Singles emphasizes the singles that defined the band’s career, while also including B-sides and lesser-known tracks that give insight into the band’s creative process.
Mini Review
The Mark II Purple Singles is an engaging and concise compilation that highlights why the Mark II lineup remains legendary. The album delivers a mix of iconic hits and rare tracks, balancing high-energy rockers with melodic, blues-influenced numbers.
The compilation opens with powerful tracks such as “Black Night”, immediately demonstrating Ritchie Blackmore’s signature riffing and Ian Gillan’s commanding vocals. Other tracks like “Never Before” and “Woman from Tokyo” show the band’s ability to blend commercial appeal with technical skill. B-side gems like “When a Blind Man Cries” reveal the more emotional and experimental side of the band.
With tight sequencing and dynamic flow, the album effectively captures the essence of Deep Purple Mark II, making it a great starting point for newcomers and a valuable collection for long-time fans.
Notable Tracks
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Black Night: A hard rock anthem with one of the most famous riffs in Deep Purple history.
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Never Before: A melodic yet energetic single highlighting the band’s songwriting prowess.
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When a Blind Man Cries: A B-side track that showcases emotional depth and blues influence.
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Woman from Tokyo: A polished, high-energy single with catchy riffs and memorable vocals.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Focus on Mark II: This is one of the few compilations dedicated entirely to the Mark II lineup, emphasizing its status as the classic Deep Purple era.
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A & B-Sides Included: The album combines both hit singles and lesser-known B-sides, offering a fuller picture of the band’s single releases.
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Collector’s Favorite: Rare B-sides like “When a Blind Man Cries” make this compilation highly valued among collectors.
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Showcasing Evolution: Tracks range from early hard-hitting singles to more melodic late-era Mark II songs, showing the band’s versatility.
Goofs & Missteps
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Some tracks are single edits rather than full album versions, which may be slightly shorter than expected.
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While comprehensive, the compilation does not include every single released by Mark II, so it is not entirely exhaustive.
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Audio quality varies slightly between tracks due to the different recording sessions of the original singles.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
The Mark II Purple Singles was moderately successful commercially but quickly became a fan favorite due to its focus on the classic lineup. It reinforced Deep Purple’s reputation as both hard rock innovators and masters of melodic composition.
Over the years, the compilation has remained a reference point for anyone wanting to explore the Mark II era without listening to every individual studio album. Its influence can be seen in later greatest hits and singles collections that focus on a band’s peak period.
Conclusion
The Mark II Purple Singles is an essential collection for fans of Deep Purple and hard rock in general. From the iconic “Black Night” to the emotional depth of “When a Blind Man Cries” and the polished energy of “Woman from Tokyo”, the compilation captures the very best of the band’s most celebrated lineup.
For newcomers, it provides a curated introduction to the Mark II era, and for longtime fans, it offers a concise collection of singles and B-sides that exemplify why Deep Purple remains a cornerstone of rock history.
