Is The Book of Taliesyn a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, The Book of Taliesyn is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A whirlwind of psychedelic rock fused with progressive elements, showcasing virtuosic instrumentation and dynamic vocal performances. Released in October 1968, The Book of Taliesyn was Deep Purple's second studio album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, they were still solidifying their sound and lineup, transitioning into a more ambitious style that would define their later success in the early 1970s.

Who is The Book of Taliesyn for?

The Book of Taliesyn works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long immersive listening sessions and wave-like pacing experiences.

How many songs are on The Book of Taliesyn?

The Book of Taliesyn has 12 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

The Book of Taliesyn

Deep Purple · 1968

65 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

A whirlwind of psychedelic rock fused with progressive elements, showcasing virtuosic instrumentation and dynamic vocal performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Listen, Learn, Read On Start here — This opening track combines hard rock with orchestral elements, setting the tone for the album's ambitious sound and lyrical themes.
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Wring That Neck — An instrumental showcase that highlights the band's improvisational skills, merging heavy guitar riffs with intricate keyboard lines.
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River Deep, Mountain High — Deep Purple's rendition of this Ike & Tina Turner classic demonstrates their vocal prowess and ability to adapt soul music into a hard rock context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends hard rock with psychedelic elements, featuring strong musicianship but uneven cohesion.

What we noticed

The first track features a spoken word intro that transitions into a heavy guitar riff, setting a dynamic tone for the album.
Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, particularly 'Wring That Neck,' which showcases improvisational skills and shifts in tempo.
The arrangement of 'River Deep, Mountain High' includes orchestral elements and complex vocal harmonies, diverging from typical hard rock structures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 emotional journeys
long immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing experiences
adventurous sonic explorations

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album helped solidify Deep Purple's signature sound and gain wider recognition.
Themes: psychedelic experimentation· orchestral rock fusion· heavy riffs and improvisation
Moods: Nostalgic· Dreamy
Career context: Released in October 1968, The Book of Taliesyn was Deep Purple's second studio album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, they were still solidifying their sound and lineup, transitioning into a more ambitious style that would define their later success in the early 1970s.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow