Author: Martin Popoff Title: “Rainbow: English Castle Magic” Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
Rainbow would be the creative outlet that Ritchie Blackmore launched after he found himself continually discontent with the way things were going as a result of being a member of Deep Purple. He decided to start again fresh with new people and felt this was better than being at odds with the group and from this his first order of business would be to team up with the young but enigmatic Ronnie James (then a member of Elf). The music the pair would create would not be as steeped in the Blues as Purple was but instead be a Hard Rock exposition filled with images of dungeons and dragons and mysticism as that was what both Dio and Blackmore were interested in. From the onset of the group’s creation the lineup would be a revolving door of talented individuals and this book by Rock Historian Martin Popoff is loaded with the details on all of them and the times that they served as members of this truly incredible, but short-lived group. It’s a band that put the talents of musicians like Cozy Powell (drums), Graham Bonnet (vocals) and Joe Lynn Turner (vocals) into the limelight and helped launch their own careers that had levels of acclaim to them based on their endeavors in Rainbow. Continue reading “Rainbow: English Castle Magic” by Martin Popoff→
Artist: Rainbow Title: “Live In Munich 1977” Label: Eagle Vision Release Date: 8/22/2006 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow would be his answer to dissatisfaction of life within the confines of Deep Purple. It was a band that while at many times static as far as membership went, delivered some of the best Hard Rock our generation has seen. The band gave us the power of Ronnie James Dio, drummer Cozy Powell and many more over the years that it existed. Running from 1975-1983 the band was a high-energy live act and this film is apparently the only known footage of the lineup in 1977 (featuring Blackmore, Dio, Powell along with Bob Daisley (bass) and David Stone (keyboards). Filmed before a capacity crowd in Munich, Germany this is sure to appeal to fans of the band both old and new. I have to say that for a film that is approaching thirty years in age it holds up pretty darned good as far as visual and audio dynamics; given the production standards of the time it will seem dark at points but it is what it is. This is truly a document of how the band performed back then and you can see especially how great Dio was in his youth. He is a performer who has influenced many and shown like a star from the beginning. There is little stage spectacle besides the music and the only stage effect is the colossal rainbow above that towers above them. This mammoth structure was as complicated as it was magnificent to see and when you look back on it in this film you will see how far stage productions have come if you compare it to what you see at a big Rock show of today. The set list might seem short in number but it is not short in length at all, with extended versions of “Sixteenth Century Greensleeves” and “Catch The Rainbow” all culminating in the destruction of Blackmore’s guitar and rig. It’s a bit over the top, but he was known for this practice. I don’t recommend watching two of these videos back to back or this section will hit you with a big sense of “oh here we go again”. Continue reading “Live In Munich 1977” (DVD) by Rainbow→
Artist: Rainbow Title: “Live In Munich 1977” Label: Eagle Records Release Date: 6/13/2006 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 7/10
Ritchie Blackmore remains one of the most exciting guitar players in Rock history, and is one of the key people responsible for the early influences of Hard Rock guitar. Starting out with Hard Rock/Blues legends Deep Purple he left in 1975 to form Rainbow, a band to further explore his creative genius. He was also involved in heavy in-fighting with Purple’s Ian Gillan at the time which made this project all the more appealing to him. Deep Purple would themselves disband in 1976 before reuniting in 1983. The band during the course of its life would go through a number of lineups and this recording from Munich in 1977 features what appears to be the only time this particular formation of players had been recorded. Joining Blackmore would be Ronnie James Dio, whose band Elf was a continual support act for Deep Purple. Drumming was the one and only Cozy Powell, perhaps one of the most powerful Rock drummers of the time period as well as Bob Daisley on bass and Dave Stone on keyboards. The music of Rainbow was instantly appealing to fans of Purple as well as Hard Rock stalwarts who looked for something a little heavier. Tracks like “Kill The King” and “Long Live Rock ‘n Roll” ensured that would be the case with their pounding catchiness. “Catch The Rainbow” and “Still I’m Sad” with their each being over 15 minutes in length contain enough of the guitar wielding prowess fans expect of the man in black to showcase and are part of the reason that the album only runs at eight songs. Yngwie fans should note that Blackmore was among the earliest influences in the performers’ life and would be smart to also pay attention especially if the axe is their chosen instrument. The CD is also a great way for the Dio fans to hear how one of the best singers in the Metal industry sounded almost thirty years ago. Wow, even I had to stop and re-read that sentence…. Continue reading “Live In Munich 1977” by Rainbow→
Artist: Various Artists Title: “Blackmore’s Castle Vol. II” Label: Lion Music Release Date: 2005 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 7/10
The great thing about a Tribute CD to Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow is the fact that not only are these influential tunes still fresh when listened to today, but you can see a progressive growth from the original years later in the bands that participate on the release. Each band makes sure to take you on an interesting journey with their interpretation of the music. There is certainly a wide variety of this going on across the length of the CD. However, like all tributes, there is good and there is bad. This piece in particular offers far more on the good side than that of the bad. I also like the fact that one gets an interesting interpretation of the music. There is quite a wide variety of this on the CD; some are good while some are outstanding. The other aspect of this piece is that it really gives you a great sampling of The Lion Music’s artist roster. These are bands that have numerous releases in the Progressive Rock and Metal style and here in the USA you might not get the level of exposure to them that you might desire. Continue reading “Blackmore’s Castle” Vol. II by Various Artists→
