Fireball (album)

Untitled

Fireball is a hard rock album by English rock band Deep Purple, released in 1971. It was their fifth studio album, and the second with the classic Mk II lineup. It was recorded at various times between September 1970 and June 1971. It would become the first of the band's three UK #1 albums.

The hit single (Number 8 in the UK) from the album sessions was the boogie-inspired "Strange Kind of Woman", which appeared on the U.S and Japanese version of the album in place of "Demon's Eye". "Strange Kind of Woman" became a staple of the live set up until the present day, and "Fireball" has made a few appearances, mainly as encores. "Strange Kind of Woman" and "The Mule" appear on the classic 1973 live album Made in Japan, with the latter morphing into an Ian Paice drum solo.

"Anyone's Daughter" was played on the 1993-1994 tours, while "Fools", "No One Came", "I'm Alone", "Demon's Eye" and "No No No" have all made periodic appearances in various tours since 1996.

Apart from Ian Gillan, the rest of the band don't consider the album a classic. However, even he has said that the inclusion of "Anyone's Daughter" on the album was "A good bit of fun, but a mistake".

The original vinyl release was in a gatefold sleeve, with a generic Harvest LP-bag and a lyric-insert.

Track listing

All songs written by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice except where indicated.

1. "Fireball" – 3:25
2. "No No No" – 6:54
3. "Demon's Eye" - 5:19
4. "Anyone's Daughter" – 4:43
5. "The Mule" – 5:23
6. "Fools" – 8:21
7. "No One Came" – 6:28

25th anniversary bonus tracks

8. "Strange Kind of Woman" (a-side remix '96) – 4:07
9. "I'm Alone" (b-side) – 3:08
10. "Freedom" (album out-take) – 3:37
11. "Slow Train" (album out-take) – 5:38
12. "Demon's Eye" (remix 96) – 6:13
13. "The Noise Abatement Society Tapes" (Traditional) – 4:17
14. "Fireball" (take 1 - instrumental) – 4:09
15. "Backwards Piano" – 0:56
16. "No One Came" (remix 96) – 6:24

Original US/Canadian/Japanese release

1. "Fireball" – 3:25
2. "No No No" – 6:54
3. "Strange Kind of Woman" - 4:07
4. "Anyone's Daughter" – 4:43
5. "The Mule" – 5:23
6. "Fools" – 8:21
7. "No One Came" – 6:28

Personnel

• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Roger Glover - bass
• Jon Lord - organ, keyboards
• Ian Paice - drums

Additional personnel

• Recorded between September 1970 and June 1971 at De Lane Lea Studios, Olympic Studios, and The Hermitage
• Engineered by Martin Birch, Lou Austin and Alan O'Duffy

• Peter Mew - Original album remastering
• Tom Bender - Engineering work on the bonus tracks and mixes 96