Is This Time Around: Live in Tokyo a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, This Time Around: Live in Tokyo is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A thunderous live performance blending classic rock anthems with improvisational flair and powerful instrumental solos. Released in 2001, This Time Around: Live in Tokyo captures Deep Purple during a resurgence after their reunion in the mid-1990s. This album showcases the band's enduring chemistry and live prowess, following their earlier studio effort Abandon (1998) and preceding their next studio release, Bananas (2003).

Who is This Time Around: Live in Tokyo for?

This Time Around: Live in Tokyo works well if you're into dynamic live performance energy, extended instrumental showcases and wave-like pacing and flow.

How many songs are on This Time Around: Live in Tokyo?

This Time Around: Live in Tokyo has 17 tracks, running approximately 125 minutes.

This Time Around: Live in Tokyo

Deep Purple · 2001

125 min · 17 tracks · hard rock

A thunderous live performance blending classic rock anthems with improvisational flair and powerful instrumental solos.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Burn Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Smoke on the Water / Georgia on My Mind — This medley combines Deep Purple's most famous song with a soulful interpretation of a jazz standard, showcasing their versatility and audience connection.
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Soldier of Fortune — The stripped-down arrangement highlights the emotional weight of the lyrics, allowing the audience to engage deeply with the narrative of loss and longing.
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Highway Star — As a fan favorite, this track exemplifies Deep Purple's explosive energy and technical proficiency, featuring impressive solos that captivate live audiences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album captures a vibrant live performance but lacks the tight cohesion of studio work.

What we noticed

Tracks are often blended together, with transitions that maintain a high energy level throughout the performance.
Several songs include audience interaction, which enhances the live atmosphere and engagement.
The setlist includes both classic hits and deeper cuts, reflecting the band's extensive catalog.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
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 live performance energy
extended instrumental showcases
wave-like pacing and flow
sing-along classic anthems
immersive concert atmosphere

Maybe skip if you

dislike lengthy improvisational solos
prefer concise track experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Captures the band's live energy and is cherished by dedicated fans.
Themes: Tokyo concert energy· psychedelic soundscapes
Moods: Energetic· Nostalgic
Career context: Released in 2001, This Time Around: Live in Tokyo captures Deep Purple during a resurgence after their reunion in the mid-1990s. This album showcases the band's enduring chemistry and live prowess, following their earlier studio effort Abandon (1998) and preceding their next studio release, Bananas (2003).
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow