Purple People Vol. 1: 4CD Box Set

Deep Purple were originally signed in 1968 to Parlophone Records in the UK, before switching to EMI’s progressive imprint, Harvest, the following year. In 1971, the band’s management set up Purple Records, to release Deep Purple’s records from “Machine Head” onwards, but also the various side projects the band members were developing, and artists that they were discovering and respected. The label would eventually become home to debut solo releases from Jon Lord, Roger Glover & David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, as well as early releases from Michael Des Barres’ Silverhead and Ronnie James Dio’s Elf.

Following expanded reissues from the resurrected Purple Records by Glenn Hughes, Silverhead, Elf and Hard Stuff, Cherry Red are proud to announce the new four disc set, “Purple People Volume One”.

Between finding fame performing as Mary Magdalene in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” alongside Ian Gillan’s Jesus, but before being snapped up by RSO Records to become a disco superstar with the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, Yvonne Elliman made one LP for Purple Records. Produced by Rupert Hine, the Hawaiian singer’s guests include The Who’s Pete Townshend, who lends his guitar to her version of ‘I Can’t Explain’. The album is also notable for the song ‘Happy Ending’, a rare, early example of song writing from a pre-“Bat Out of Hell” Jim Steinman.

Purple Records was nothing if it wasn’t a broad church, and Buddy Bohn’s “A Drop In The Ocean” is typical of the label’s eclectic nature. In part recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Illinois born guitarist’s third LP was produced by Jerry Lordan, and also features cover artwork form the famed Hipgnosis design team. The royalties from the minor hit ‘Vermouth Rondo’ allowed Bohn to build his own studio.

Carol Hunter was born and brought up in New York, and started the guitar as an exercise for a broken wrist. After leaving school and performing around Greenwich Village coffee houses with Peter Tork, she taught guitar for a year, made an album with Janis Ian, did session work in New York, including playing with Jimi Hendrix. From session work to three years as lead guitarist with Neil Diamond both on the road and in the studio, she has also worked and recorded with Richie Havens, Jackie De Shannon, The Raiders and numerous others. Produced by Carol Hunter and Randy Steirling, “The Next Voice You Hear” also includes a guest appearance from Larry Carlton.

As if to prove how open-minded the Purple Records roster could be, “COLDITZ BREAKPOINT!” is - according to the album’s liner notes - a record that, “has been created for your imagination. It is a song without words, a film without a screen, an opera without libretto. There is no musical score and no script; no straight-jacket to dictate terms of your experience.” Released in 1973, partly as an unofficial companion to the highly popular BBC TV series that ran from 1972-1974, it is a collection of wartime-era songs and music, created with the co- operation of Major Pat Reid, technical consultant for the series and real British Escape Officer at Colditz. “COLDITZ BREAKPOINT!” appears here on CD for the first time.

Track List:

DISC ONE
YVONNE ELLIMAN: FOOD OF LOVE (1973)
1. CASSEROLE ME OVER
2. MORE THAN ONE, LESS THAN FIVE
3. I WANT TO MAKE YOU LAUGH, I WANT TO MAKE YOU CRY
4. MUESLI DREAMS
5. I CAN'T EXPLAIN
6. SUNSHINE
7. HAWAII
8. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM BLUES
9. THE MOON STRUCK ONE
10.HAPPY ENDING
11.LOVE'S BRINGING ME DOWN

PRODUCED BY RUPERT HINE

DISC TWO
BUDDY BOHN: A DROP IN THE OCEAN (1971)
1. PICCALILLI LADY
2. WINTER SONG
3. COCKROACH
4. ALMITRA
5. VERMOUTH RONDO
6. REFLECTING BUTTERFLY
7. ALBERT GATE FARM
8. CURIOUS YELLOW
9. SAD LADY
10.SAMUEL
11.SUMMER SONG
12.FORGOTTEN SOUND

PRODUCED BY JERRY LORDAN

DISC THREE
CAROL HUNTER
THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR (1973)
1. LOOK OUT CLEVELAND 2. PASS IT ON
3. SEA FEVER
4. 5/4 MARCH
5. SONG FOR A WINTER'S NIGHT 6. DR. PEPPER
7. BORDER SONG
8. DRESSING ROOM JAM
9. GOSPEL CHANGES 10.CAROL WITHOUT WORDS
i.THE NORMAN STAND THERE RAG ii. CAROL WITHOUT WORDS
iii. DR. PEPPER (INSTRUMENTAL)
11.SOGGY WALTZ

DISC FOUR
COLDITZ BREAKPOINT! (1973)
1. THE WARSAW CONCERTO - Melachrino Orchestra
2. WISH ME LUCK – Gracie Fields
3. LONDON PRIDE - Elsie And Doris Waters
4. THERE'S A BOY COMING HOME ON LEAVE - Maurice Winnick
5. SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN F MINOR - New Philharmonic Orchestra
6. (WE’RE GONNA HANG OUT) THE WASHING ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE - Arthur Askey
7. SIEGFRIED'S FUNERAL MARCH - London Philharmonic Orchestra
8. I HEAR YOUR VOICE - Luton Girls Choir *
9. DIE FAHNE HOCH - SS Standarte 42 Military Band
10. TIGGERTY BOO – Jack Warner
11. RHAPSODIE OPUS 79 NO. 2 - New Philharmonia Orchestra
12. SYMPHONY NO. 4 - New Philharmonia Orchestra
13. LILI MARLENE - Lale Andersen
14. RHYMES - Lale Andersen
15. BLESS 'EM ALL – George Formby
16. DER FUHRER'S FACE – Harry Roy
17. IN THE MOOD – Unknown Artist
18. SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN F MINOR - New Philharmonia Orchestra
19. SIEGFRIED'S FUNERAL MARCH - London Philharmonic Orchestra

PRODUCED BY RUPERT HINE