Gosport Thorngate Halls - 11th April 2010
'We are not a tribute band, but a band that enjoys playing the music of the finest rock group, EVER!'
So introduced by Paul Wrightson, lead singer of the Purple Project, and how right he was. If you are an afficianado of Deep Purple, you could easily sit back, eyes shut and not notice the difference.
Dick Fancutt on keyboards was strong, so intense that I dont think he broke into a smile once: Chris on Bass, quiet, unassuming and standing to the side, being the heart beat of the group allowing Paul to strut his stuff like the proud peacock he should be. Johnny Marter was stupendous on drums but for me the highlight of the evening was listening to and watching the fingerwork of Chris Voysey. Eyes closed, his ears did all the 'seeing' for him as he played with precision and grace.
All in all, one of the finest 'Not a tribute band' bands that I have ever seen.
John Bowles
Gosport
South Street - Reading - 12th March 2010
''Thanks for a really great gig at South Street the other Friday - I really like your comment that you're NOT a tribute act - you're fans!
I only really know the Mk2/3 material well so was blown away by "Speed King". I didn't recognise some of the later material but there it was on "Come Taste The Band" - however your louder/live treatments were even better than the originals! I couldn't believe it when you played "Stormbringer" - excellent stuff.
I can hear that you're all really talented musicians but I've got to single out Paul for really getting the crowd going and Johnny for that really crisp Ian Paice-style drumming.
Many thanks for a great (Black) Night! and I hope to see you again'.
Phil Pike
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'The Purple Project must be one of the slickest cover bands I have seen to date.
Not only were the songs performed at The Corn Exchange well-executed, loud, exciting and full of vigour - true to the real thing - but the band did not sell themselves as a cheesy tribute act, they are simply avid fans of Deep Purple's music.
What impressed me most was the sheer quality of musicianship.
Opening with the stage-stomper Highway Star, they took the audience on a journey through all sides and paces of Deep Purple's music: the heart-pounding Hush, the moving Perfect Strangers, followed by high-speed laser lights and the funky Getting Tighter.
This Time Around, Strange Kind of Woman, Black Night and, of course, the riff-laden Smoke on the Water were all played with intricate precision and embellishments on guitar leads and synth solo breaks.'
Helen White
The Newbury Weekly News - 12th June
The Brook - Southampton - 8th March 2008
'Southampton’s finest regular music venue, The Brook, rock-and-rolled to top-notch Deep Purple covers band The Purple Project, from Newbury, recently.“We love The Brook,” shouted singer Paul Wrightson – and rightly so, and The Brook loved The Purple Project long before the show’s end.
The Purple Project plays the songs as you remember them from the records – with added pizzazz. ‘Black Night’ included guitar solos from both the album and live recordings, and a bit of improvisation, but that is typical Purple. Songs from ‘Hush’ (currently in the Jaguar XF TV advert), through the classics such as ‘Speed King’, ‘Highway Star’, ‘Strange Kind of Woman’ and, of course, ‘Smoke on the Water’, to ‘Perfect Strangers’ were all featured.
These were interspersed with many others that soared and swooped as the dynamics desired. It was a night to savour the sensations and roll back the memories – for all the right reasons, as these are musicians that can really play AND perform.
If Paul Wrightson was the dynamic attraction, then drummer Johnny Marter was not far behind and drove the band on with spectacular flourishes. Bassist Chris Hook is a master of his craft and Dick Fancutt, on keyboards, took centre-stage or hid in the shadows, as required.
Guitarist, Chris Voysey, had the hardest job of all. Blackmore is probably the finest rock guitarist, with his combination of performance and musicianship. Had Voysey started to get a bit too active, then he would have been seen as copying the master. Instead, he left the theatrics to Wrightson and just dealt with the music – and won! As did the band.
Play Deep Purple’s music well and you can’t go wrong. Purple Project did, and they didn’t.
An audience of 40 to 60 year olds, plus a fair few youngsters, was thrilled and enthralled. And can’t wait to see The Purple Project again!'
Geoffrey Williams
The Hampshire Magazine and The Newbury Weekly News
Rivermead Leisure Centre, Rock of Ages - Reading - 28th February 2008
Doogie White saves the day ... The Purple Project's vocalist Paul Wrightson had just developed laryngitis, ... things were looking desperate for the Reading gig ... when Doogie White (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen) stepped in at (very!) short notice:
“We were worried we would lose the Purple Project, but Doogie was fantastic and had an amazing energy on stage.”
Concert Promoter Chris Wright
Just to say that I have seen Purple Project several times and it was a great shame that Paul, the regular singer, was unable to perform but great credit to Doogie for stepping in and putting in an excellant performance. Well done to him and the rest of the band for kicking off what was a terrific evening.
Duncan Smith
South Street - Reading - 19th January 2008
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your concert at South Street, it was fantastic! Having been a Deep Purple fan, and met them on many occasions, you lot sounded just like the real thing. Is there any chance you could play at the anvil in Basingstoke?
Purple Project, keep on rocking!
Gary Clarke
Hi Guys,
I was at the gig in Reading on Saturday and just wanted to tell you all how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. You were brilliant! It really made my weekend. You are possibly the best ’tribute’ band I have seen and I’ve seen a few! Keep up the good work and if possible please add 'Woman from Tokyo' to the set list.
Regards,
Nick Collins
Riff's Bar Swindon - 21st July 2007
Another stonkin' performance!! If you weren't there ...why not! Loved the guitar work!!
Richard
All hail the Purple Project!
Riff (Riff''s bar)
The Brook - Southampton - 6th July 2007
Hi,
I was at the gig on Friday night, second time I’ve seen the band. Just a thanks for a great night – like a breath of fresh air!! 5 guys who can play and give off an infectious enthusiasm for music which doesn’t get a live airing as often as it should.
The Highway Star intro had the hair on my neck standing up!!
Again, thanks for the gig – make sure you guys play down this way again.
Cheers
Gordon Hardie
Hi Guys,
Saw you at The Brook on Friday night and would just like to say how much we enjoyed it. Your band are excellent.... all complementing one another. Top notch entertainment.
Regards,
James and Paul
Superb entertainment, you guys deliver an awesome Purple sound - looking forward to the next gig!
Great to hear you play some material from "Come Taste The Band" - an album which I think is very underrated!
Rich
Hi!
Went to the gig on Friday at the Brook and thought you were amazing! Very authentic sound and energetic performance, had a great time! I was pleased to see you play all the "classics" - a very enjoyable evening, well worth it - hope to catch you next time! (I also thought the support act, Juliet Gough, was fantastic! Great singing voice!)
Eleonor
The Cross Keys - Great Bedwyn - 28th July 2006
What lengths will a Deep Purple fan go to see the closest band to the original? Well, on the night it was close to 100 miles and over 3 hours with Friday night traffic! However, it was totally worth it.
A balmy summer evening and arriving in the sleepy village of Great Bedwyn, I thought 'Where will the crowd come from?' but like the quote from the movie 'Field of Dreams' "invite them and they will come!" and come they did, from all around... Deep Purple tour t-shirts, hardened fans and a fair amount of grey hair!!
The start of the set blasted off with the classic 'Highway Star', but what followed had me spinning down memory lane. Tracks from Fireball, In Rock and Machine Head had me remembering lyrics I thought I'd forgotten long ago including - Demon's eye, Hush, Speed King and Pictures of Home, before moving up to the title track from Stormbringer and Gettin' Tighter from Come Taste The Band, ..then the more recent Perfect Strangers. The bands vocalist Paul Wrightson said after the first song "we're not a 'look-a-like' band - we just love playing the songs" and that really shows. Just in case you can't guess, I was totally blown away by the Purple Project and can't wait to catch their show again. Track of the night was without doubt - Mistreated - a mix of both studio and 'Live' version skillfully knitted together.
Hugh Lawson