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rainbow,s on stage album was released in 1977.onstage was recorded on the rainbow rising tour of 1976-1977.for the most part this album is a great document of the dio era rainbow live in concert.this album was also produced by famous rock producer;martin birch who had produced albums with ritchie blackmore,s old band deep purple among other great bands.in the 70,s and 80,s martin birch was the producer to get if you were a famous hard rock act and you wanted to make a great album, be it a live or a studio album.this was perhaps the best lineup rainbow ever had and the performances on this album showcased the bands mystical era material.however being that this album was recorded on rainbow,s rising tour it is kind of strange that there was not more material from the rising album done live and showcased here.that being said this album is full of great live versions of;catch the rainbow [which is excellent.].,kill the king,mistreated[a deep purple song from the burn album]sixteenth century greensleeves,still i,m sad and finally the man on the silver mountain medley.if you are a rainbow fan, a blackmore fan or a dio fan or just a fan of classic rock live albums this great cd belongs in the collection.
I received this album on vinyl for my 18th birthday, from the guy who played guitar in the band I was in at the time. All of the best Rainbow musicians each nail their own parts with expertise and care, Cozy bashing the skins, Jimmie Bain (one of my favorite bass players) thumping along, and of course Ronnie James Dio nailing all the difficult vocals and interacting with the crowd. the man had things "under control".
Smack you between the ears with Blackmore. As good as most of the tracks are, the one that stays with me the longest (other than the beautiful and most powerful "Catch the Rainbow") is "Still I'm Sad". A better birthday gift (or one that has left so lasting an impression) would be difficult to pinpoint.From the very opening track of "Kill the King" where they intro with dialogue from the movie "The Wizard of Oz", "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." and BAM.
Much like what Iommi has done with Sabbath.This album ABSOLUTELY SMOKES like there's no tomorrow. Hard to describe the album after that because it all becomes a sonic blur of ecstacy.I have read some of the reviews of this album and its lack of incredible tracks like "Stargazer" and the like, but I think Ritchie decided to make an album of heartfelt tracks and not pander to the obvious. Of course, trying to tell someone like Ritchie Blackmore, with an ego the size of a continent is no easy task.
A better LP ender there could be none. Crooningly beautiful vocals on tracks like "Catch the Rainbow" just set your soul on fire.If you've never listened to this album, and you're a dedicated rocker, SHAME ON YOU.
Cozy powell is.well.Cozy Powell.Slammin'. Great live album. Still love it today. So is the fire demonstrated on Mistreated for example. Really listen to it. Clever intro and solid all the way through.
Guy's been in 3 different bands that have achieved incredible success.nuff said. Bought it on vinyl when it came out. Dio's vocals are powerful. Blackmore's guitar playing is at it's best. The subtle stuff is brilliant. Forget the picky things mentioned in some of the reviews and listen to this record.
It never gets old.
"Do You Close Your Eyes" {where is that.}. That was by far one of the highlights of this amazing show.
Best: "Live" album, Best: "Live Album of the 1970's", Best: "Live Hard Rock" Album, Etc,Etc. This double record, had more room on the four sides of those records to fit more songs from the 1976 concert on it.
As I consider this record is worthy of being on many: "Best Of" lists. But, when it is compared to the concert I attended in Berkeley, here on this CD, you are only getting about HALF the show.The epic version of: "Stargazer" {with drum solo by Cozy and the big explosion in that solo} is not here.
I was lucky enough to see a show from the Summer 1976, "Rainbow Over America" tour at the Berkeley Community Theater. And, as I have always been big about this album, as one of the very greats.
"Black Sheep Of The Family" was far better than it's studio counterpart {not included as well}. 31 years is indeed a long time, and as I don't remember everything from that night, I do know that the 1976 show was 2 Hours in length, and lot's more of that show could and should be presented here to tell the complete story.Still, this is one of the very best live recordings ever released, but if there was a CD that needed a: "Deluxe/Expanded Edition", of 2 CD's to be released: "On Stage" should be at the top of that list.Any fan of: Ritchie, Tony, Cozy, Ronnie James and Jimmy, should already own this monster, but there is more that needs to be heard.Four Stars.
Yes, I have a sentimental attachment to it, but, the sound this recording possesses goes far beyond a simple effusiveness: it is bold, direct and heavy yet it retains a moody meander that offers stimulating respite. Ronnie James Dio was at his hungriest and simply on top form, Blackmore was, as always, inventive and beguiling. And a classic this certainly is. but a chance listen to UFO's Strangers In The Night caused me to rifle through some of my classic 70's hard rock LPs. I must admit that I have not listened to the CD as I am still playing my purchased-in-1982 vinyl copy. An album to crank-up loud. These may be valid criticisms, however, as a slice of late 70's hard rock this is very hard album to beat. A number of people have complained that this doesn't capture Rainbow circa 1977 or that it is not a comprehensive snapshot of one of their live performances or even that it lacks songs from Rising and/or led off with a song that was on an album yet to be released.
Simply, these guys were at the top of their game and they came together and made memorable music. There are 6 basic tracks but it feels like there are more as the songs are embellished in that Deep Purple kind of way. I stopped listening to it for about a decade (the dreary 90's). Two of the 70's most underrated artists also appear; Cozy Powell is so very solid and punchy while Tony Carey's collection of Moogs, Clavinettes and cut down Hammond play the perfect foil to Blackmore, much like Jon Lord did in Deep Purple. It is an album to be played loud. Perhaps this notion of the taking of a studio song and fleshing it out in the live setting will be what Ritchie is remembered for, long after the riff to Smoke On The Water has settled in the dust. Music which may sound dated now but will somehow always retain a timelessness. as you grow old and cranky.
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