I can understand the album reviewer's comments about the meandering orchestral parts that lead into the good rock portions but that is really exactly why I like this album. I think that I first heard this on vinyl back in the early 70's when I discovered it in my dad's collection; I still have it on my shelf. What I like about this recording are the original classical elements interspersed with the rock elements that often seem to break through the orchestra. In fact, in the liner notes, Jon Lord says that he wrote the music to sound just like that. I think that it is probably one of my "deserted island" kind of records. I have just always liked the record regardless of possibly being the nadir (low point) of the classic DP group. To me it represents classic late 60's early 70's experimentation and exploration. I also like some elements of more recent forays into this realm like Metallica's S & M live album with the San Francisco Symphony but that was mostly classical interpretations of their established songs and not quite the same.

great record..must have for any DP fan