Following Ritchie Blackmore’s departure from Deep Purple in August 1975, the group considered disbanding but decided to continue and find another guitarist.Clem Clempson, Zal Cleminson, Mick Ronson and Rory Gallagher were considered, but the final choice was American Tommy Bolin.Bolin’s best-known recordings had been made as a session musician on Billy Cobham’s 1973 jazz fusion album Spectrum, and as lead guitarist on two post-Joe Walsh James Gang albums.The resulting album from Deep Purple Mark IV, Come Taste the Band, was released in October 1975, one month before Bolin’s Teaser.Despite mixed reviews, the record revitalised the band once again, bringing a new, extreme funk edge to their hard rock sound.The Come Taste the Band tour began in Europe in the spring of 1975, and towards the end of the year moved to Japan and Australasia.In early 1976, Deep Purple travelled to the US, where they performed more than 30 concerts.One of the finest of these was also their first American show of the jaunt, performed in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 26th ’76, at the city’s Springfield City Centre.Now available on this new two-instalment set for the first time on vinyl, this release will prove a delight for Deep Purple fans the world across.
