Snapshot continues to make steady progress. Here is the latest radio report from stations across North America. There doesn’t seem to be any pattern but we’re getting plays in some strange places as well as the more well known markets. Reaction has been very favourable so far. I am working on performing some gigs in a month or two – a lot depends on the availability of the players and also on the progress the record makes both in sales and on the radio.
Just letting you know, we’ve been let out of the studio. There may be other people there now but the place is deserted in Deep Purple terms.
It’s an odd business, this recording; you go through an intense period of writing the stuff, playing it over and over again, changing, improving, laughing and crying about it, getting it right – then in the studio, you play it once, more or less, and that’s that – it’s all over.
The transition from rehearsals to the recording went easily. The studio has a distinct old English feel to it; old maps, paintings, the Magna Carta ( it might even be the real one), tapestries, etc. adorn the walls; there are Gothic touches around, and the ceilings are high. The standard is also high, the staff impeccable. Our assistant Chris is always on the ball.
The year is drawing to a close but I want to tell you that for me it has been a really good one. I wish to wish you all the wishes that you wish for to come true. But be careful what you wish for!
It has been another triumphant year for Deep Purple; we survived. Our tours were a joy – yet again we were welcomed at various places around the planet and I am pleased for all the support you gave us.
Weds 26th November, on ITV, is the airdate for The Making Of Machine Head. 11.45pm I’m told, but check just in case. I have seen the DVD and it is wonderful. I don’t know if it will be edited for TV but the DVD has a lot of extra material. The most exciting part is video footage of us in the 70s, at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, playing Smoke – as far as I know, the ONLY film/video of us playing that song.