Deep Purple - Shades 1968-1998 (Compilation Album) (1999)
Deep Purple – Shades 1968–1998 (1999): Three Decades of Hard Rock Legacy
In 1999, Deep Purple celebrated over thirty years of groundbreaking rock music with the compilation Shades 1968–1998, a comprehensive collection showcasing the band’s evolution from their formative years to the late 1990s. Spanning multiple lineups, eras, and styles, this anthology captures the essence of Deep Purple’s journey and serves as both a historical document and an essential listening experience for fans of hard rock.
Album Overview
Album: Shades 1968–1998
Artist: Deep Purple
Release Date: 1999
Label: EMI / Harvest
Genre: Hard rock, classic rock
Length: 155:30 (2 CDs)
Producer: Deep Purple & Various
Shades 1968–1998 spans thirty years of Deep Purple’s career, featuring tracks from every major lineup, from the early Mark I formation to the Steve Morse era. The compilation includes classic hits, deep album cuts, and reunion-era songs, offering a detailed overview of the band’s musical evolution.
This release emphasizes both the band’s technical prowess and songwriting creativity, making it a definitive anthology for those seeking to understand the full breadth of Deep Purple’s career.
Mini Review
Shades 1968–1998 is an ambitious and thorough retrospective. The compilation opens with early tracks from Shades of Deep Purple and The Book of Taliesyn, highlighting the band’s blues-rock beginnings. Classic Mark II tracks such as “Smoke on the Water”, “Highway Star”, and “Child in Time” demonstrate the band’s hard rock mastery and virtuosity.
Reunion-era tracks like “Perfect Strangers”, “Knocking at Your Back Door”, and selections from Purpendicular and Abandon illustrate the band’s evolution while preserving their signature energy. The two-disc format allows for both hits and deeper cuts, giving longtime fans and newcomers a comprehensive listening experience.
Morse-era material stands out for technical brilliance and fresh songwriting, while Ian Gillan’s vocals provide a consistent thread throughout the decades. Jon Lord’s keyboards, Roger Glover’s bass, and Ian Paice’s drums anchor the collection with timeless musicianship.
Notable Tracks
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Hush (Mark I): Early hit showcasing the band’s blues-rock roots.
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Smoke on the Water (Mark II): Legendary track with one of rock’s most iconic riffs.
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Highway Star: High-octane hard rock classic with virtuosic instrumentation.
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Child in Time: Epic, dramatic, and emotionally intense performance.
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Perfect Strangers: Reunion-era anthem with melodic depth and powerful riffs.
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Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming: Morse-era highlight combining melodic rock with technical prowess.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Thirty Years of Music: The compilation celebrates Deep Purple’s career from 1968 to 1998.
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Multiple Lineups Featured: Includes tracks from Mark I through the Morse-era lineup.
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Deep Cuts and Hits: Balances popular singles with lesser-known album tracks.
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Collector Appeal: Ideal for fans wanting a career-spanning overview in one package.
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Historical Significance: Offers insight into the evolution of hard rock across three decades.
Goofs & Missteps
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Some tracks are edited or single versions, not full album versions.
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The sheer scope of the compilation means some fan favorites were inevitably left out.
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Audio mastering varies slightly due to the diversity of source recordings over 30 years.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
Shades 1968–1998 was well-received by fans and collectors as a definitive anthology. It reinforced Deep Purple’s legacy as pioneers of hard rock, offering a career-spanning overview that highlights both musical innovation and technical mastery.
The compilation continues to serve as an essential entry point for new listeners and a convenient retrospective for longtime fans, cementing its place as one of the most comprehensive Deep Purple anthologies available.
Conclusion
Shades 1968–1998 is a monumental compilation that captures the breadth and depth of Deep Purple’s career. From early tracks like “Hush” to the explosive energy of “Smoke on the Water”, the reunion-era brilliance of “Perfect Strangers”, and the melodic Morse-era gems like “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming”, the collection offers a complete portrait of a band that has defined hard rock for over three decades.
For both newcomers and seasoned fans, Shades 1968–1998 is an essential anthology that celebrates the enduring legacy, creativity, and musicianship of Deep Purple.