The Book of Taliesyn

Released in October 1968, “The Book of Taliesyn” by Deep Purple is a classic rock album showcasing the band’s unique blend of hard rock, prog, and psychedelic rock. It follows their debut album released three months prior, “Shades of Deep Purple” and received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics the band’s musicianship, with others criticising the album’s lack of originality. In recent years, the album has been recognised as an important and influential work in the history of rock.

Named after the fourteenth-century Book of Taliesin, the album’s standout tracks include “Listen, Learn, Read On,” “Wring That Neck,” and “Anthem.” Ritchie Blackmore’s exceptional guitar work alongside Jon Lord’s outstanding organ playing led to AllMusic writing that the album “showed Deep Purple beginning to find their own sound.”