von Joanna Ostrowiecka

THE SAUCER IN KATOWICE IS EXCITING

If a DP fan lives in Poland and misses their gig in Katowice, it's as if he lived in Paris and never visited the Eiffel Tower. I always go to Katowice, and not only there, when Deep Purple come to Poland.

I was so glad to hear that our best progressive rock band, SBB, would play as a DP support. I always liked them. Now I wasn't disappointed, the more so as I heard them live for the first time. They still are great.

Their first song was "Memento With a Banal Tryptych", this time dedicated "to the pigeons fanciers" as Józef Skrzek said. To the victims of the recent tragedy in Katowice. Apart from this piece, the group played some newer songs. The best was "Walkin' Around the Stormy Bay", with Apostolis Anmtimos playing drums. Two drum sets on the stage, it was unusual! I only wish the musicians were more visible. Crowds of cameramen were always blocking my view!

At about 9.00 PM we saw Deep Purple, but on a film, not on the stage. It was amusing to see the band coming out a big case. Then the musicians appeared live. The audience got mad, the more so as the first song was "Pictures of Home", rarely played at gigs. It's an excellent piece to begin concerts.

The band came very punctually, but there must have been some trouble with the equipment. The speakers were droning a bit. I also wish the musicians played "Junkyard Blues" instead of taking it out from the setlist. It sounds great at shows!

"Before Time Began" was a big surprise to me because it was sung this time, not spoken. It sounded very nice. So did "Things I Never Said". I hope the band will never take it out. I like it so much.

If you enter Ian Gillan's website, you can see there some words of sympathy to the victims of the recent disaster in Poland. The artist promised to dedicate "Contact Lost" to all those lost in Katowice. He kept his word. Steve Morse played beautifully and we all were moved.

I think Don Airey loves Chopin. He played a mazurka for us. And the Polish anthem (also mazurka), as usual.

The band played 5 songs of their newest album. Apart from "Things I Never Said" and "Before Time Began", we heard "Wrong Man", "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" and "Rapture of the Deep" (of course!) "Rapture" was the best this night!

I wish they played 7 or 8 new songs instead of 5. "Clearly Quite Absurd" is such a nice ballad. "Back to Back" and "Don't Let Go" sound great, too...

But the gig was cool. I was so happy to see Deep Purple live that I'm thinking of going to one of their next shows. In Germany for example. Why not?

-Joanna Ostrowiecka