DEEP PURPLE – HAMMERSMITH ODEON 1974 SOUNDBOARD (2 CD-R + DVD-R)

Description

Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, May 9, 1974.

　The legendary soundboard recording, the only one officially overlooked, has been upgraded! The latest transfer, which has been creating a buzz in the collector’s world, has been further meticulously mastered by “GRAF ZEPPELIN.” A 2-CD set is set for release.

　This release permanently preserves the “May 9, 1974 Hammersmith Odeon concert,” a priceless soundboard recording. Deep Purple is one of the rock bands with the most extensive official archives, and almost all of the notable soundboard recordings from their third phase have been officially released. However, the only one that had not been officially released was the 1974 Hammersmith concert. This release is the definitive, updated version of that recording.

　To explain the situation, let’s first look at the soundboard collection, starting with an overview of Phase III.

●1973
(September: Phase III begins → November: “Purple Flame” completed)
December 9th-17th: Europe #1 (5 performances)
●1974
January 20th-26th: Europe #2 (5 performances)
March 3rd-April 9th: North America #1 (28 performances) ← *CALIFORNIA JAM and others
April 18th-June 27th: UK (24 performances) ← ★Here★
August 24th-30th: North America #2 (4 performances)
(September: “Storm Messenger” completed) September
18th-28th: ​​Europe #3 (9 performances)
November 13th-December 17th: North America #3 (19 performances)
●1975
January 25th “SUNBURY ’75”
《March 14th: “The Conqueror of the Silver Peaks” completed》
・March 16th – April 7th: Europe #4 (12 performances) ← *Official MADE IN EUROPE etc.
《Ritchie Blackmore leaves the band》

[A hidden treasure soundboard that has been overlooked by the official sources]
　This is the glorious third iteration of DEEP PURPLE. The Hammersmith performance on this album was the 10th concert of the “UK” leg.
This show is known for having a short pro-shot video recording, but in fact, a longer soundboard master recording has also been unearthed. And that is the last hidden treasure. Let’s take a look at the soundboard situation for the third period.

■1974: “BURN Tour”
– April 6th (North America #1) Official “CALIFORNIA JAMMING” etc.
– April 9th ​​(North America #1) Official “LIVE IN SAN DIEGO 1974”
* May 9th (UK) Hammersmith performance ←★This work★
– May 22nd (UK) Official “LIVE IN LONDON”
■1975: “STORMBRINGER Tour”
– April 3rd (Europe #4) Official “GRAZ 1975” etc. –
April 5th (Europe #4) Official “MADE IN EUROPE (Saarbrücken section)”
– April 7th (Europe #4) Official “LIVE IN PARIS 1975” etc.

While there are other partial soundboard recordings, the seven performances listed above are the only ones that offer a substantial amount of audio. In addition to the three major traditional albums, ‘CALIFORNIA JAMMING’, ‘LIVE IN LONDON’, and ‘MADE IN EUROPE’, numerous unearthed recordings have been officially released, but the Hammersmith recording was the only exception among them, despite being a long soundboard recording. This release is the new definitive version of that recording.

[A completely transformed 2026 transfer]
　The basis of this release is the latest master, which was released very recently. Renowned collector Lucifer Burns digitally transferred it from analog cassette in 2026. The sound is completely different. The original master suffered from severe sound distortion and terrible bass. The pitch was also significantly off, and only the guitar and vocals were audible, making it sound like listening through a telephone receiver. However, this new master is different. While it doesn’t quite retain the vintage texture or the balance that leans towards the mid-to-high frequencies, it has become a musical work where you can fully appreciate the performance of all the musicians.

　This release is the best version, with the latest transfer further refined by “GRAF ZEPPELIN,” pushing it to even greater heights. The mastering is done with almost obsessive precision, meticulously removing distortion noise at specific points and correcting frequency ranges to the extent currently possible, remaining true to the fundamentals while being thoroughly refined. Of course, the original was a vintage soundboard with thin bass, and it’s not the type that can be officially released, but it is undoubtedly the best version currently available. The unpleasant distortion noise from the previous master is gone, and the pitch is perfectly corrected. It revives the precious live performance of the third period, which will never be recreated, as close to the original as possible.

[A soundboard where you can enjoy the extremely rare “Going Down from 1974”]
　This reborn sound captures the scorching stage of the third period, including the precious encore. Here, let’s check the contents while comparing it with the traditional official release, “LIVE IN LONDON.”

●Purple Fire (4 songs)
– Burn / Might Just Take Your Life / Lay Down, Stay Down / Mistreated
●Others (3 songs)
– Machine Head: Smoke On The Water / Space Truckin’
– Cover: Going Down (★)
*Note: The “★” mark indicates songs that were not heard on the official ‘LIVE IN LONDON’.

…And that’s how it is. It’s a set typical of 1974, heavily featuring the new album ‘Purple Fire’, but what’s noteworthy is the encore, “Going Down”! Not only is it not heard on ‘LIVE IN LONDON’, but it’s also a hidden gem of a song only found on this album.

　You might be thinking, “Wait, I can hear that on THE FINAL CONCERTS and LIVE IN PARIS 1975 too.” The key point is that this is from “1974.” In fact, the arrangement is different from 1975, and it’s a standalone cover that doesn’t lead into “Highway Star.” In the first place, there are few recordings of the encore from 1974, even including audience recordings, so “Going Down from 1974” is extremely valuable. Especially when it comes to soundboard recordings, this is the only one.

[Bonus recording of the soundboard audio from the pro-shot version]
　Even just the extremely rare soundboard recording is enough to make your heart race, but this release also includes bonus soundboard recordings that will leave you even more satisfied. As mentioned above, although the Hammersmith performance was short, a pro-shot video was also recorded, but this release also includes the soundboard audio from that as a bonus.

　Of course, this pro-shot version is also the best version. It’s a CD version made from the superb master that was also preserved as the pressed DVD “LONDON 1974”. It includes live performances of “Burn” and “Space Truckin'”, as well as an interview with Ritchie.

　A key point of this pro-shot version is that the audio is a different mix from the main soundboard recording. While the texture is similar, there are crowd cheers between songs, and in fact, the sound quality is several levels higher. Together with the main recording, all the soundboard recordings from that day have been pressed onto CDs in the best possible quality. The

　Hammersmith concert soundboard, which was ignored by the official sources and known only to a select few, has been updated to its highest level with the latest transfer and “GRAF ZEPPELIN” mastering in this two-disc set.

　The twin vocals of Coverdale and Glenn, Ritchie’s guitar, John’s keyboards, and Paice’s drums—unlike the second lineup, the third lineup never reunited—the thrill of having this ensemble poured into your brain is priceless. This is the final treasure that completes the soundboard collection of the miraculous third lineup of Deep Purple. Please enjoy it to the fullest with this permanently preserved 2CD set.

★A treasured soundboard recording of the “May 9, 1974 Hammersmith Odeon concert.” The only long SBD recording from the third lineup that was never officially released, this is the highest-quality updated version with “2026 latest transfer + GRAF ZEPPELIN detailed mastering.” Not only can you hear the 1974 arrangement of “Going Down,” but this definitive edition also includes a pro-shot version of the SBD audio as a bonus.

Disc 1 (44:40)
01. Intro.
02. Burn
03. Might Just Take Your Life
04. Lay Down, Stay Down
05. Mistreated
06. Member Introduction
07. Smoke On The Water

Disc 2 (58:24)
01. Keyboard Solo
02. Space Truckin’
03. Going Down

Film Mix
04. Intro.
05. Burn
06. Keyboard Solo
07. Space Truckin’ (Keyboard Intro)
08. Space Truckin’ (Guitar Solo)
09. Ritchie Blackmore Interview (12th May 1974)

SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

★The final piece to complete the soundboard collection of the third phase of DEEP PURPLE: ‘HAMMERSMITH ODEON 1974 SOUNDBOARD’. Only the first edition with a numbered sticker will include a special bonus: ‘LONDON 1974′, a pro-shot video version of the same show.

DEEP PURPLE – LONDON 1974 (Bonus DVDR)
Filmed at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK 9 May 1974 PRO-SHOT (UPGRADED)

　The main 2CD press is an indispensable part of any soundboard collection of the third phase of DEEP PURPLE. This is the highest quality updated version with the latest transfer and meticulous mastering. As mentioned in the liner notes, this day is also known for having a short multi-camera pro-shot recording. Therefore, we have prepared a special bonus to allow you to collect both the soundboard album and the pro-shot video in the best master at once.

[The reality of the third phase as captured by students of the University of Leeds]
　The video in this work is a video production made in 1974 by students of the University of Leeds in the UK as part of a college project. It is a legendary material known among overseas fans as the “Leeds Polytechnic Project”.

　The content consists mainly of a live pro-shot recording of the “May 9, 1974 Hammersmith Odeon performance,” the same as the main 2CD press release, along with a 40-minute documentary composed of backstage footage from the “May 12, 1974 Lewisham Odeon performance.” It is recorded in the best quality, created from a first-generation copy of the U-Matic master.

　The video begins with a full-length live performance of “Burn,” followed by interviews with each member, John Lord’s organ solo, and covers everything from the intro to Ritchie’s guitar solo in “Space Truckin’.” While Ritchie was mostly seen from behind at California Jam, in this video we get solid frontal shots at key moments. We also get a great look at Coverdale singing passionately and Glenn moving all over the stage.

[A rare interview with a surprisingly talkative Ritchie]
　While the performance scenes are great, the interviews are especially valuable. We see Coverdale’s still-fresh face shortly after joining the band, John leading the members like a senior member, and Glenn already looking confident. And what’s particularly noteworthy is the individual interview with Ritchie. It’s very rare to see Ritchie speaking so eloquently and with a smile, and it’s a valuable scene that gives us a glimpse into his human side.

　This video work, created by students who viewed DEEP PURPLE’s live performances and the audience enjoying them as a “new culture,” is a cultural heritage in itself, exuding a strong 70s vibe. Not only does it show you “what’s beyond” the main 2CD press release, but it also lets you experience firsthand the atmosphere of “1974,” the year when the third incarnation of DEEP PURPLE breathed life into music. Please enjoy it to the fullest.

1. Introduction
2. Burn
3. Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes & David Coverdale Interview Pt 1
4. Dressing Room After The Show
5. Ritchie Blackmore Interview Pt 1
6. Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes & David Coverdale Interview Pt 2
7. Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes & David Coverdale Interview Pt 3
8. Ritchie Blackmore Interview Pt 2
9. Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes & David Coverdale Interview Pt 4
10. Jon Lord Solo incl. Also Sprach Zarathustra
11. Space Truckin’
12. Jon Lord Interviews
13. Ritchie Blackmore Solo
14. Outroduction

Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
David Coverdale – Vocals
Glenn Hughes – Bass & Vocals
Jon Lord – Keyboards
Ian Paice – Drums

Taken from first generation copy of the original U-Matic Master. 40 minutes from the Hammersmith Odeon in 1974 which has live footage & backstage interviews, done as a media project by students at Leeds University(“Leeds Polytechnic Project”). Some of the interviews were taken from the backstage of Lewisham Odeon, London on 12th May 1974.

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.40min.