In the clip below, courtesy of the Ken Tamplin Music Academy, vocalist Ken Tamplin himself takes on the Deep Purple classic, "Perfect Strangers".

Tamplin: "Deep Purple guitarist and founding band member, Ritchie Blackmore, has called their classic 'Perfect Strangers' his favorite song by the band. The tune was distinct from their other songs due to the fact that it was one of the few tunes they did without a guitar solo.

Inspired by the book Elric, the lyrics were written by Blackmore, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, and the song was released off of the album of the same name. The album itself was the band's eleventh studio album and went on to be the most successful album after the band reformed with the lineup that was dubbed Mark II. It went on to reach #5 in the UK charts, and #12 on the US Billboard 200, as well as reaching platinum status.  

I'll be taking on the tune for today's vocal demonstration and I hope you enjoy my version of the song."

Deep Purple's new album, =1, will be released on July 19 via earMUSIC as Ltd. CD+DVD (Digipak), CD (Jewelcase), 2LP Gatefold (black, 180g), Ltd. Purple 2LP Gatefold (180g), Ltd. Crystal Clear 2LP (180g) and Ltd. Box Set (CD+DVD Digipak, 2LP black Gatefold, 3x exclusive 10” vinyl editions feat. live recordings from Deep Purple’s 2022 tour, exclusive Collector’s T-shirt, 2x exclusive guitar picks, 1x exclusive art print, 1x exclusive lanyard, and the chance to win a Golden Ticket giving access to all shows on the Deep Purple =1 More Time tour).

All LPs include a rich 12-page vinyl sized booklet. The bonus DVD features the approx. 60min documentary ‘Access All Areas’ joining Deep Purple backstage on tour and providing an exclusive look behind the scenes.

Further exclusive items are available via the official album store (here): Ltd. 2LP Picture Disc, Ltd. Cassette, strictly limited canvas signed by all band members - limited to 50 items only and various other merchandise items.

Tracklisting:

"Show Me"
"A Bit On The Side"
"Sharp Shooter"
"Portable Door"
"Old-Fangled Thing"
"If I Were You"
"Pictures Of You"
"I’m Saying Nothin’"
"Lazy Sod"
"Now You’re Talkin’"
"No Money To Burn"
"I’ll Catch You"
"Bleeding Obvious"

"Portable Door" video:

=1 More Time tour dates:

August
14 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live
15 - Tampa, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Event Center
17 - The Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
18 - Durant, OK - Choctaw Casino - Grand Theater
19 - Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena
21 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
22 - Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
23 - Tinley Park, IL - Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
25 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
27 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
28 - Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion
30 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
31 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center

September
1 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
3 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
4 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Broadview Stage at SPAC
6 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
8 - Scranton, PA - The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

Tickets are available at deeppurple.com.