DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse checks in from Italy with the following update:

"OK, we've been in Italy for awhile. As I knew from the tens of millions of Italian Americans, they are naturally friendly people. Every show is a warm reception, but we usually have amazing audiences almost everywhere, so it's a subtle difference. At every city we've had different drivers shuttling us around. There are 3 common characteristics that they all seem to share:

If you ask a question while sitting in the back seat, they will turn around to face you, as a gesture of respect and cultural habit. Meanwhile, the vehicle is moving forward at about twice the speed I would drive through a maze of pedestrians, scooters and little cars.

Apparently, there is some taboo regarding the use of the turn signal. I saw one being used, but I suspect the switch was bad.

If somebody steps into a crosswalk in front of us, as happens routinely, we could be collecting data for the manufacturer regarding maximum number of G forces possible in deceleration. That is because in crowded street, we are always in full acceleration to the maximum speed attainable until the next panic stop. If we pull away from the pedestrian after they have crossed, and there is 80 yards to the stop sign right after, we will be accelerating for 78 yards, followed by the kind of braking that leaves shoulder harness marks in your neck.

Actually, there's a fourth thing... they would all give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.

I was waiting outside the airport check in for our tour manager, and my driver was speaking pretty good English, as many of them do. I remarked that this 5 Euro bill (note) that I had just tried to spend was refused because it wasn't brightly colored enough. I guess it had been through the wash in somebody's pants pocket. I had been told that if I took it to a bank, I could exchange it. Well, the chances of me getting to a bank during banking hours for a small note like that were pretty slim, so I was going to just forget about it. He immediately offered to change it with one of his, which I couldn't accept, but I was impressed with how genuinely helpful they all were. And this was after his gig was over, and they were free to go.

By the way, regardless of a recession, there are plenty of tourists around the typical destinations in Italy. Although the actual beaches in some cities are virtually deserted, since there is a charge of up to $130 to simply sit on the beaches, which seem to be owned by hotels, not public. So on these coastal cities, there are people everywhere but not on those privately owned beaches. Some days get very hot here, and with the crowds, I would plan a different part of the year to vacation here if I was able to pick and choose. Last night, up until 1am, they had some fireworks display going near one of the summer city festivals for the better part of an hour, and it was spectacular. So, in the cooler months you probably wouldn't stumble across something like that.

Today, we saw some very skillful driving through the tiny town roads up a steep, winding alley that would challenge a Smart Car driver. They put these full size Mercedes vans around some of the tightest corners I've seen in a while, all of them on the first try. Except for the luggage van, I imagine, which is truck width... which might explain why we haven't seen our bags for a long time today!

Anyway, great gigs, great people, long, long tour. Situation pretty normal!

Just want to take a moment for a personal message to my wife, Janine Happy Birthday...."

Deep Purple and their management recently confirmed that the rumor, from an unknown source, that this year's tour of Europe will be the band's last, is untrue. Deep Purple is currently on tour in Europe, making stops in Italy, Germany, France and more. According to a statement, "this will not be the last time Deep Purple's European fans will be able to experience the band and their music live! Stay tuned to DeepPurple.com for the latest tour updates, news and much more."

Deep Purple's live schedule can be viewed at this location.

The new project called ANGELFIRE, featuring Steve Morse and SARAH SPENCER will finally be released on August 11th via Radiant Records in North America, Europe and Japan.

According to a press release, it was only a matter of time. Steve Morse’s career has encompassed everything from bluegrass, to jazz fusion, to hard rock. Whether writing and performing with THE DIXIE DREGS, KANSAS, or (currently) Deep Purple, Steve’s unique approach to guitar has earned him a place among the instruments’ most respect artists. Meanwhile, a young prodigy has been honing her skills as a singer and songwriter, waiting for her moment. A chance meeting between the two begins a musical partnership between master and apprentice, yet artists of different domains. Steve’s dynamic, virtuoso style melds with Sarah’s passionate singing and pop sensibility. At first recalling SARAH MCLACHLAN meets JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, or ALISON KRAUSS & ROBERT PLANT; Angelfire soars beyond compare and into the hearts of audiences hungry for unique new music.

The album also features STEVE MORSE BAND members Van Romaine on drums and Dave La Rue on bass.

About the album Morse comments: "It's kind of acoustic stuff that I wrote with this girl singer [Sarah Spencer] that is so good. I knew her parents and they said, 'You've got to hear my daughter.' I heard her, and she was really pretty good. So I listened to more stuff, and I said bring her over and let's see if we can write something together. We did, and that first take, just nailed it."