Deep Purple / CA, USA – April 15, 1973 – Barry Goldstein Master Edition

It was the renowned taper Barry Goldstein who captured that legendary recording! Now, the original master tape—proving this historical fact—has been unearthed. Through the meticulous remastering work of “GRAF ZEPPELIN,” a live album has been born that stands as a supreme masterpiece from the end of the band’s Mark II era. Preserved here for posterity is the Long Beach performance from April 15, 1973—captured in what is widely considered the finest audience recording of the show. This recording has been known since the 1990s and cherished as a vital document of the North American tour that marked the close of the Mark II era. While the previous definitive edition was *Darker Than Blue 272/273*, the original master tape has now been discovered through the Goldstein excavation project led by the prestigious “JEMS” group. This discovery not only provided a significant sonic upgrade but also revealed the identity of the person behind the recording: Barry Goldstein. A legendary Southern California taper who began his work in the early 1970s, Goldstein was also a close friend of the iconic “Mike the Mike” Millard. “JEMS” has been unearthing his master tapes; following the releases of *Uxbridge 2275* (featuring the night’s opening act, Rory Gallagher) and *Uxbridge 2194* (Fleetwood Mac), they have now discovered the recording of the headliner, Deep Purple. The year 1973 marked a transitional period as the band shifted from the Mark II to the Mark III lineup. Let us first take an overview of their activities at the time to understand the significance of this release. Jan. 13: *Who Do We Think We Are* released. Jan. 1–Mar. 20: Europe #1 (36 shows) [e.g., *Lyon 1973*]. Mar. 30: *Made in Japan* released in North America. Apr. 12–June 19: North America (40 shows) [**Here**]. June 23–29: Japan (6 shows) [e.g., *”The End”*]. Sept.: Mark III era begins. Nov.: *Burn* completed. Dec. 9–17: Europe #2 (5 shows) [e.g., *Burn in Brussels 1973*]. This was Deep Purple in 1973—a glorious North American tour undertaken right in the midst of their massive success. Thanks to the smash hit *Made in Japan*, they achieved a breakthrough in the U.S. as well. The North American tour that followed, riding this wave of momentum, could well be described as the embodiment of the Mark II lineup’s glory days. The Long Beach performance featured here is one chapter of that tour. Let’s take a closer look at the schedule for the North American tour: Apr. 12–14 (3 shows) * Apr. 15: Long Beach show [**This release**]. Apr. 17–May 9 (14 shows) * May 23: *Providence 1973* * May 24: *Definitive Boston 1973*. May 25–27 (3 shows) * May 29: Official release *Live in Concert 72/73* * May 30: *New York 1973 Final Night*. May 31–June 19 (15 shows)… and so on. When it comes to full recordings that capture the glory of the 1973 North American tour, the four titles mentioned above are considered the definitive releases, with *Definitive Boston 1973* widely regarded as the masterpiece among them. However, the discovery of the original master tape for this release has overturned that established view. This title shatters the dominance of the “Boston” recording to claim the throne as the definitive North American show. In fact, it has ascended to the ranks of the “two greatest masterpieces of the late Mark II era,” standing alongside the recently released *”THE END” FINAL EDITION*! A sonic masterpiece achieved through the original master tape and meticulous mastering. The sound is truly stunning. While the previous master was good, listening to it now reveals a balance that leans toward the right channel, along with occasional pitch instability due to tape condition and high-frequency hiss. This new original master, however, is completely free of such flaws. As it is the original mono recording, the stereo image is perfectly centered with no imbalance or instability, offering a vastly superior listening experience. The overall clarity is magnificent, and the realistic timbre of each instrument—from Jon’s keyboard solo through to “Lazy”—is exquisite. Paice’s drums, in particular, are rendered with such definition in the cymbals and hi-hat that it feels as if he is playing right in front of you. This release represents the pinnacle of quality, further refining that sensational original master sound through “GRAF ZEPPELIN” mastering. Gaps found in the raw audio released online have been seamlessly patched using existing circulating sources, and the issue of the drum solo being repeated for three minutes—seen in the previous release—has been resolved. That said, since Barry’s second master tape (covering the final 30 minutes of the show) remains missing, the section from the middle of “Space Truckin'” onwards has been supplemented using the previously known master discovered by “Krw_co.” The *”THE END” FINAL EDITION* release from Osaka—recorded the same year—was not only the final night of the Mark II era but also a “1973 masterpiece.” This release stands alongside that peerless peak as the “masterpiece of the overseas tour.” It reveals the true nature of the Mark II era’s live performances as the band headed toward collapse despite achieving global success. A new “must-hear” live album has arrived—the perfect starting point for experiencing this era. This release is far more than just a simple upgrade; it is a new masterpiece from Deep Purple’s Mark II lineup, born from the work of a legendary taper, a renowned archivist, and a mastering virtuoso. It is a live album that crystallizes the passion of men who dedicated their lives to 1970s hard rock. This is the definitive version of the finest audience recording from the April 15, 1973, Long Beach concert. It features the original master tape by the legendary Barry Goldstein—unearthed by the prestigious “JEMS” archive—and polished to perfection through the meticulous mastering of “GRAF ZEPPELIN.” With a clear sound that eliminates the imbalances and fluctuations found in previous masters, this release stands alongside *The End: Final Edition* as a supreme masterpiece of the 1973 Mark II era. It is the essential new title for experiencing the band at the height of their US breakthrough in 1973. Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA, USA – April 15, 1973. A true upgrade—superb sound quality. Disc 1 (51:40) 1. Intro. 2. Highway Star 3. Smoke On The Water 4. Strange Kind Of Woman 5. Mary Long 6. Keyboard Solo 7. Lazy 8. Drum Solo 9. The Mule Disc 2 (30:26) 1. Space Truckin’ (9:36 cut) 2. Announcement