Live at Montreux 2006 cover

Live at Montreux 2006

Deep Purple · 2007

67 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

A masterclass in rock dynamics, blending heavy riffs with virtuosic solos and a powerful vocal presence.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Pictures of Home Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Highway Star — The performance of this track exemplifies the band's signature blend of speed and complexity, featuring an exhilarating guitar solo and driving rhythm that energizes the audience.
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    Smoke on the Water — This iconic song, performed with an electrifying energy, represents Deep Purple's historical significance and is often regarded as a cornerstone of rock music.
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    Lazy — The extended version showcases the band's improvisational skills, particularly through Jon Lord's keyboard work, providing a deep dive into their progressive rock roots.
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    Strange Kind of Woman — This track highlights Ian Gillan's powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence, illustrating why he remains one of rock music's most revered frontmen.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

This live album captures Deep Purple's energy but lacks a cohesive narrative across its varied setlist.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks feature extended instrumental solos, particularly the keyboard solo which showcases improvisation.
  • The album's pacing shifts noticeably after 'Lazy', leading into more intense performances like 'Space Truckin'' and 'Highway Star'.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic live energy throughout
  • wave-like pacing for engagement
  • extended solos for deep immersion
  • cathartic crowd participation moments
  • nostalgic anthems for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer studio polish over rawness
  • seek short, radio-friendly tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Revitalizes Deep Purple's legacy with classic and newer material in a strong live performance.
Themes
Montreux music festival· live rock energy
Moods
Energetic· Dreamy
Career context
By the time of 'Live at Montreux 2006', Deep Purple was celebrated veterans in the classic rock scene, having formed in 1968. This concert album marked their return to live recordings after the release of 'Rapture of the Deep' in 2005, showcasing their enduring ability to captivate audiences decades into their career.
Stylistic neighbors
Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow

Tracklist

  • 1 Pictures of Home Start here 3:57
  • 2 Things I Never Said 5:44
  • 3 Strange Kind of Woman 5:05
  • 4 Rapture of the Deep 5:16
  • 5 Wrong Man 4:25
  • 6 Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye 4:13
  • 7 When a Blind Man Cries 3:33
  • 8 Lazy 7:34
  • 9 Keyboard Solo 4:58
  • 10 Space Truckin' 4:54
  • 11 Highway Star 8:42
  • 12 Smoke on the Water 9:11

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata