Lost Gem: "Mistreated" - Deep Purple (1974)
"Since my baby left me... I've been losing my mind." --> Deep Purple <-- Deep Purple was a different band from their "Smoke On Water" days. Singer Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover had left the band in '73, leaving axe legend Ritchie Blackmore and bandmates to find replacements. Enter bassist Glen Hughes and then unknown vocalist David Coverdale . Coverdal e (future Whitesnake frontman) had much to prove, daring to replace loyal Purple fans' favorite vocalist... Ian Gillan . But with Blackmore and company's thunder... DP released a solid and very underrated album that stands firmly on its own legs. Lost Gem:--> "Mistreated" ...buried deep on side two is a searing rock-blues wailer that leaves no doubt of Coverdale's qualifications. Blackmore's sweet riffing and exit solo make it very clear they can still throw it down. Have you heard this Gem? I've been mistreated, I've been abused.