h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Allthough many Ritchy Blackmore fans where whining about this period in the bands history, most other fans saw this as a rebirth of the band.
In 1999 they played the "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" again after a recreation of the score by a fan, Marco De Goeij.
They opened with two shows at the Royal Albert Hall with Paul Mann leading the London Symphony Orcestra, including friends of the band and solo pieces from each member in the band. As these shows was a great success, and a lot of fun, they took the thing on a world wide tour in 2000, with local orcestras under Paul Mann.
After which they've kept touring with their normal formula of hard jamming rock.
Alas, all good things come to an end and in 2002 Jon Lord decided to leave DP to concentrate on his classical calling.
He was succeeded in the band by Don Airey (ex Rainbow).
The band is still touring and a new studio album "Bananas" will be released in aug 2003.

I won't deny any of that, although I will take a few minor issues with your other post.

Personally, I lost interest when they decided to revive the Concerto, and things went downhill with Lord leaving.

B

How can you say things have gone downhill exactly? Granted, I haven't heard the new album (which has only been out a few months, come on!) but Don Airey definately cuts the mustard live. As for Ian Gillan, well...again, live, you wouldn't think for a moment he was knocking on 100...

The new album is worse than Purpendicular, which takes some doing...

B

Interesting...I've heard great things about Perpendicular...oh well, these two are the last on my Deep Purple hitlist so I will judge for myself someday...