Deep Purple – Come Taste The Band

I bought this when first released. I judge it on its own merit, without comparison to In Rock or Fireball. It's a great record, with some creativity and funky moments. Glad I never got rid of this album in my 80's clear out.

Seldom has an album been so unfairly slammed or misrepresented.
If you’re anything like me then this album’s reputation had you expecting something like Young Americans when nothing could be further from the truth.
This is a hard rock album played with a conviction, spirit and cohesion totally absent from Stormbringer and even from who do we think we are .
The album even starts with a barrage of guitar and organ as if to reassure doubters that it’s a Deep Purple album then the echoplex kicks in to tell you there’s something a new gun in town there we’re off to the races
Bolin is a star bringing new life to the band, Paice gives his finest studio performance.
Coverdale never sounded better
Jon Lord is consistently adventurous and surprising in his choice of sounds.
As for Glenn Hughes, only his absence from coming home hints at trouble brewing, he even contributes 2 bona fide epics in the shape of Gettin’ Tighter and This Time Around

Well, ok, this album is not In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, or in Made in Japan. However, I simply don't get the point when people take the view that this record was not a Deep Purple record. Yes, Blackmore, Gillan and Glover had left the band but musically this album is not weaker in any sense than Who Do We Think We Are and the Deep Purple mark II reunion studium albums. It is muscially different from the aforementioned DP Mk II records but does that make the album worse? NO! So, if Deep Purple Mk IV's Come Taste The Band is not a Deep Purple album, you should also say that Who Do We Think We or House of Blue Light are no Deep Purple albums at all.

Would anyone like to comment on the SQ of this press please ?

Their best album. Way ahead of its time.
It has to be listened several times and after each listening it gets better and better... and finally You realize that is fantastic album.

The Man in Black had left the building! In the spring of 1975, after a European tour, founding member and mercurial guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple, dissatisfied with the band's current musical direction. How to replace such an iconic and dominating figure? American Tommy Bolin, formerly of the James Gang and also currently embarking on a solo career, had intrigued David Coverdale when he heard Bolin play on a record by jazz musician Billy Cobham, so he was offered an audition for Purple. While impressed enough with the young Yank’s improvisational skills to offer him the gig, Coverdale, Lord and Paice had no idea the depths of Bolin’s soon to be fatal substance abuse. Glenn Hughes was also in a well documented struggle with his own personal demons and whether or not that was the reason, the singer-bassist and new hot shot guitar player bonded over funk and R&B influences. While many Purple enthusiasts seem to be irked about the record that was produced in Miami in the summer of 1975, ‘Come Taste the Band’ is, in my humble opinion, a very good record. Some parts sound like the Deep Purple of old but it definitely marks a change in the overall sound of the band. I also think Bolin puts a sizable stamp on the LP and I think his playing is brilliant, very different from Blackmore’s, but enjoyable all the same. ‘Coming Home’ is the lead track and many have commented on the pre-Whitesnake qualities of the song which I can definitely see but I also feel like it seems to be saying - “here’s a new era for Deep Purple and this is the hard rock opener you’ve come to expect from us.” “Love Child”, “Lady Luck”, “Dealer” and “Drifter” are all solid heavy rock tunes - much of what you’d expect from a band now led by Coverdale as he came to be the dominant personality in Purple after Ritchie left. Glenn and Bolin create their own magic on “Getting Tighter” which is probably the album’s best song, a perfect funk - rock blend that I guess was quite the workout in concert. It was actually on stage that the Mark IV of Deep Purple sowed their eventual downfall and led the dissolution of the band (and dormancy for the next eight years). Bolin’s problems drastically affected his live work and the band more often than not had disastrous shows. By Spring of 1976, Coverdale supposedly offered his resignation to Lord only to be told that there was no band to leave! Bolin would die later that year but luckily Glenn Hughes survived. ‘Come Taste the Band’ has grown on me but is it a favorite? No, but for the people who just disregard it due to Blackmore’s absence, they’re missing out on some inspired mid-70s hard rock. Everyday, wheels are turning…

I dont understand why this album gets all of the hate it does, especially with it sometimes being called "not a real Deep Purple album" when in reality it's just as much as Deep Purple album as Fireball and Burn were. Yes while you can't replace the likes of Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy didn't really replace him. He just came simply in his own style and ways, and if anything you could call this album an experimental album. While this was a difficult time for the band, the album is phenomenal in my opinion and is possibly one of my favorite albums.

Deep Purple did the right thing, they led new blood in the band and yes, that changed the band. And please don't rate it, it is different, I like it because I don't want to listen to 10 version of Machine Head, or in Rock. Taste something new here, Bolin is up the Richie, just different.

It's not Deep Purple as some people say, but for me (who loves funk and Glenn Hughes, this may explain it!), it's a great album, very groovy and punchy.

I think this is a great album, in fact one of my favourite DP records. I'm just sad it was the only one with the Bolin/Hughes combination, as they injected a new style and interest for me. I think it stands up better today than some of the previous releases.