Deep Purple – The Platinum Collection (Compilation, 2005)
A three-disc deep dive into one of hard rock’s greatest catalogs
Released in 2005, The Platinum Collection is a comprehensive, multi-disc compilation that aims to present Deep Purple’s career in broad strokes while still offering depth beyond a standard “best of.” Issued as part of the wider “Platinum Collection” series (which featured many major legacy artists), this release was designed to balance commercial appeal, historical scope, and fan satisfaction.
Unlike single-disc collections such as Purple Hits or Deep Purple Forever, this set expands the narrative across three CDs, allowing Deep Purple’s evolution to unfold more naturally — from psychedelic beginnings to hard rock dominance and later-era maturity.
🎧 Mini Album Review
The Platinum Collection succeeds because of its space and pacing.
With three discs at its disposal, the compilation avoids cramming everything into a rushed playlist. Instead, it offers:
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A strong Mk II core, where Deep Purple’s most iconic work resides
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Meaningful inclusion of Mk I and Mk III material, adding historical context
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Select later-era tracks that show the band did not stop evolving after the 1970s
The remastering is clean and consistent, making the listening experience smooth even as the music jumps across decades.
Verdict:
One of the most well-balanced career compilations in Deep Purple’s catalog — expansive without being overwhelming.
🎶 Tracklist – Typical Highlights (3CD Set)
Exact sequencing varies slightly by region, but representative highlights include:
CD 1 – Early Years & Breakthrough
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Hush
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Black Night
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Speed King
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Child in Time
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Strange Kind of Woman
CD 2 – Classic Era Dominance
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Highway Star
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Smoke on the Water
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Lazy
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Space Truckin’
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Fireball
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Woman from Tokyo
CD 3 – Evolution & Legacy
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Burn
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Stormbringer
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Perfect Strangers
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Knocking at Your Back Door
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Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
This structure allows listeners to hear the band grow, rather than just jump between hits.
📊 Commercial Performance
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Strong catalog sales across Europe, Japan, and Australia
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Particularly popular in UK and EU retail chains due to the Platinum branding
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Did not target charts aggressively, but enjoyed long-term steady sales
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Frequently marketed as a premium gift edition
The set benefited from Deep Purple’s renewed visibility in 2005 following the release of Rapture of the Deep.
👥 Personnel (By Era Represented)
Mark I
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Rod Evans – Vocals
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Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
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Jon Lord – Keyboards
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Nick Simper – Bass
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Ian Paice – Drums
Mark II (Core Era)
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Ian Gillan – Vocals
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Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
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Jon Lord – Keyboards
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Roger Glover – Bass
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Ian Paice – Drums
Mark III
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David Coverdale – Vocals
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Glenn Hughes – Bass/Vocals
Later Eras
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Steve Morse – Guitar
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Ian Gillan – Vocals
Jon Lord and Ian Paice appear throughout, reinforcing their status as the spine of Deep Purple.
🎼 Concept & Curation
💿 Three-disc freedom
The expanded format allows deeper cuts like “Lazy” and “Stormbringer” to sit comfortably next to radio staples.
🧭 Chronological logic
While not strictly linear, the compilation generally follows the band’s historical arc, enhancing narrative flow.
🎸 Multiple guitar eras
Blackmore’s classical aggression and Morse’s melodic precision coexist, offering contrast rather than conflict.
🎸 Fun Facts & Trivia
✨ Part of a global series
The Platinum Collection branding was used for artists like Queen, Bowie, and Pink Floyd — placing Deep Purple firmly among rock royalty.
🎹 Jon Lord’s range on display
From psychedelic organ swells to muscular Hammond riffs, Lord’s versatility is one of the set’s quiet highlights.
🔥 Burn’s inclusion
Not all compilations give Mk III material this much space — its presence here acknowledges that era’s lasting influence.
📀 Retail longevity
This set remained in print longer than many single-disc Purple compilations.
🤔 Did You Know?
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Deep Purple are among the top-selling hard rock bands of all time, with global sales exceeding 100 million records across albums, singles, and compilations.
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“Child in Time” was never a single in many territories, yet remains one of the band’s most iconic compositions.
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The Platinum Collection is often recommended as a “one-purchase solution” for listeners who want both hits and context.
🧠 Legacy & Final Thoughts
The Platinum Collection stands as one of the most satisfying mid-2000s Deep Purple compilations. It doesn’t chase rarity or completism — instead, it focuses on storytelling through music, allowing the band’s transformation to speak for itself.
For newcomers, it’s a near-ideal introduction.
For longtime fans, it’s a well-curated career refresher that respects every major era without diluting the classics.
Above all, it reinforces why Deep Purple’s music endures: power, musicianship, reinvention, and a refusal to stand still.
