Yer Blues was incredible...I just can't take Yoko's number, even with the violin trying to keep her somewhere around the key.

The Yoko parts are truly un-listenable and an overwhelming tribute to the power of love to get the better of a man's sensibilities. There is really no other explanation for John Lennon agreeing to let her go on.

Rainbow was my first concert, as a 10th grader in 1983. Blackmore was amazing. I remember "Jealous Lover" lasting like 20 minutes, his fingers blazing the whole song. I first got into Deep Purple about the same time, with "Deepest Purple." I went straight from there into the albums, with "Machine Head" being my favorite. I have the original quadraphonic mix on SACD...the mix is great, the sound quality so-so.

"The Wall" had no laughs? That's either got to be him taking the piss, or he, well...he pretty much has to be taking the piss.

I was huge into Rush, just before developing the taste for Led Zeppelin. Like many, I love all their studio stuff up through "Moving Pictures" then lost interest as they headed into their synth era. I too really like "All the World's a Stage" but also definitely got into their second live album, "Exit...Stage Left" from the "Moving Pictures" tour. For me, those two capture Rush excellently.