Customer Reviews

Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Recorded in Munich, Germany in 1977, Rainbow already had a strong following (gaining superstar status in Japan) mostly due to the fact the band's leader and lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had stunned audiences in the past during his tenure in Deep Purple with his soaring guitar solos. With a relatively unknown singer named Ronnie James Dio (originally with the band Elf) on vocals and an impressive list of band members including drummer the late Cozy Powell, Bob Daisley on bass and David Stone on keyboards Rainbow was destined to be huge. Just one listen to these two "live" discs will remove any doubt that the band was one to be reckoned with. The energy Rainbow possessed with their brand of hard rock on "Live In Munich 1977" can easily be compared to Deep Purple's "Live In Japan" album. The songs speak for themselves with a number of them being two to three times the length of their original studio versions allowing Blackmore to improvise on his guitar solos which are incredible. The sound quality of these discs are excellent and Eagle Rock Entertainment has done a good job remastering these discs giving one the feeling he or she is actually in the audience. Four of the songs included are from Rainbow's debut titled "Blackmore's Rainbow" ("Man On The Silver Mountain", "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves", "Still I'm Sad", "Catch The Rainbow"). One from Rainbow's second album "Rainbow Rising" ("Do You Close Your Eyes") and two from the third album "Long Live Rock N' Roll" ("Long Live Rock N' Roll" and "Kill The King") and "Mistreated" from Deep Purple's "Burn" album. An excellent two disc "live" set that all Deep Purple and Rainbow fans will want in their collection.

For the most part this is a concert that rivals anything else now available from the 70's. Great vocals and great playing are heard throughout. It is a short set list however and all songs are stretched out with solos. This works well enough until you get to the drum solo in Still I'm Sad. Under the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" category you can hear Cozy play along to a tape of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture finale. Unbelievable is the best you can say about that. But the only real miscue is Blackmore's little psycho/ego drama after the show is over and he's left on stage alone. Seriously, what does guitar smashing have to do with anything? But otherwise this is a great show and we already see glimpses of his future musical direction when he plays Greensleeves and bits of Bach, Beethoven and Gounod.

Man, I remember seeing Rainbow circa 1977 at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ. I refer fondly to that period of time in my life as "My Dark Years", but due to certain circumstances my memories of that time are...well..a bit dark. So what a delight it was to see the release of Rainbow Live in Munich to be able to experience the show on DVD with a clear head. The problem is that the awesome performances on this disk are footage from 1977, so the video quality is 1977 video...and that ain't too good.

Often times there are real reminders that the video is dated because of horizontal lines across the picture and just plain old low quality video. The experience is reduced to a mere DVD viewing after enjoying what was more of a front row seat experience with the quality HD video on some recent releases {i.e. Judas Priest (Rising in the East), Iron Maiden (Rock in Rio), Dio (Holy Diver Live) and even Rock the Nation by Kiss}.

The audio on Live in Munich is a completely different story. The audio wizards took the soundtrack to the show on this disk, cleaned it up and they've offered it with a terrific 5.1 Dolby or DTS mix. I thought the DTS repro sounded the best on my system.

Regardless of the horrible video, it was great to reminisce and watch as singer Ronnie James Dio, legend Ritchie Blackmore, inspirational Heavy Metal drummer Cozy Powell, Bob Daisley (Bass) and David Stone (Keys) went through some of the classics from Rainbow's first three releases.

What's really sad is that Rainbow could have done this concert with a lot more than 8 songs. Ritchie Blackmore's infatuation with himself prevented that. In almost every song except the first, Blackmore self-indulges in out-of-place guitar solos that are difficult to sit through. I'm not talking about the bridge guitar solos that are on the studio releases; I'm talking about random intros or interruptions in each song to deliver a monotonous, rambling, wee-da-la-wee-da-la of the six-string. Instead of the guitar monotony, great tunes that fans really wanted to hear (like Tarot Woman, Stargazer, etc) could have been included. Just look at the guitar-solo-excessive times on these songs....They give you:

1) Kill the King 4:42
2) Mistreated 11:49
3) Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 8:52
4) Catch the Rainbow 18:14
5) Long Live Rock and Roll 8:04
6) Man on the Silver Mountain 16:25
7) Still I'm Sad 27:33
8) Do You Close Your Eyes 15:40
Plus a Bonus disk with videos of LLRR, Gates of Babylon and LA Connection.

But all in all, if you were a Dio-years Rainbow fan don't pass on this. Just be sure that your expectations are set for a view into the past with the past's video quality. The performances are 4 stars, the reproduced sound is 4 stars and the video quality is 1 star.

Yeah! I have been eagerly awaiting this DVD - and now I'm thrilled. THIS is the way music DVDs should be done. You can see the effort and care to make this DVD worthy of a legendary band.

First of all, "Rainbow - Live in Munich 1977", released just a few days ago, contains a whole concert, un-cut, with the running time of almost 2 hours! It was recorded on 20th October 1977, just a couple of hours after Blackmore was released from Austrian jail! But for the details of that interesting story, you'll just have to buy the DVD (can I now have a special discount, Amazon guys?) :)

Show is phenomenal, spectacular! I especially enjoy watching Dio, who really gives it all ...and David Stone (keyboards) is also amazing. The only thing which I dislike (REALLY dislike) - is the ending. Blackmore's little "performance" at the end is totally out of contest (and without good taste). You have to see it to believe it. For me, this concert is like beautiful fairy-tale with a dreadful end. But who knows, maybe you like it.

Picture quality is not so great, but it was recorded in '77, so... don't let that pull you away from buying this. Sound is GREAT - and you can choose between dolby stereo, dolby 5.0 and dts surround.

Sleeve and menu desings are just the way we like it - simple, but very, very nice. :)

AND... we get tons of cool extra stuff! Just the way we like it. :)

- 3 promo videos

- new interview with Bob Daisley (20+ minutes!)

- shorter interview with Colin Hart

- both interviews accompanied with old photos, video-shots, newspapers scans...

- nice photogallery

- narrative story about Rainbow (40 minutes!!) accompanied with static scenes from Munich show.

But my favourite "extra stuff" is not on the disc. Most music DVDs have none or one booklet. Here, we get 2 booklets! One is 6-page story about Rainbow and technical info about this DVD. The other one is 20-page faithful reproduction of the original Rainbow tour programme! Very beautiful, fantastic quality, lots of info and pictures.

This DVD is worth every penny, and much more. It's A-MUST-HAVE for any Rainbow fan, and it's an example how we want music DVDs to look like. Easily 5 stars for Rainbow and two thumbs up for Eagle Vision.

;)

This is now a part of my 2,217 collection of albums & videos (and still counting).

The video is clear, crisp sound, has good selections of songs and worth the price. This is rock music video at its best!

Some of the songs performed are Mistreated, Catch the Rainbow & Still I'm Sad. There was a drum solo by Cozy Powell (Jeff Beck Group + Whitesnake + Black Sabbath + ELP + Yngwie Malmsteen) in the song Still I'm Sad. I believe Cozy was one of the best drummer among his co-rock stars like Tommy Aldridge, Aynsley Dunbar & Neil Peart.

As usual, you will see Ritchie Blackmore doing exhibition and smashing his guitar. You will see also a young RJD (Elf + Black Sabbath + Dio) in this video and you'll be impressed with his powerful vocals. He is currently again with Black Sabbath on a world tour as of this writing.

Introducing in this line-up was Bob Daisley on bass (later with Ozzy, Gary Moore and Black Sabbath). He replaced Jimmy Bain. David Stone who has replaced Tony Carey was on keyboards.

You will get also vintage videos of songs like Long Live Rock N Roll, Gates of Babylon and LA Connection.

So what are you waiting for? Stop reading this message and buy this dvd.

Being a die-hard Ritchie Blackmore/ Rainbow/ Deep Purple/ Blackmore's Night fanatic (since 1981, when I was a mere pup at 15 and just starting to play guitar), I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic dvd. Like alot of afficianados, I had this on (pretty decent quality) bootleg vhs, but this is the ultimate: digital remastering, audio commentary, bonus promo films (all 3) from the album "Long Live Rock & Roll", etc. It is truly ironic that this concert was filmed for German tv (the Rockpalast show) on 10/20/77, the very night Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashed many hundreds of miles away, as a bit of rock history was also made by the Man In Back & Co. herein.

The late, great Cozy Powell excels on drums (I saw him twice: once with Whitesnake, once with ELP), especially during his "1812 Overture" drum solo, as does David (where did you go?) Stone on keyboards (again, especially during his spotlight solo during "Still I'm Sad"), while Ronnie James Dio is an opera singer throughout; truly amazing. Also, Bob Daisley does a nice job on bass and on background vocals, especially on "Catch The Rainbow." But what of the Man In Black, Ritchie Blackmore, you say? His playing is AMAZING---he is so on it is a wonder to behold; just the introduction to "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" is worth the price of admission alone (he performs "Greensleeves" and Chet Atkins' version of "White Christmas", among other bit and runs; stellar). What is also nice is the fact that you can tell Ritchie and the boys are having fun during their inspired performance---Ritchie's 'dancing feet' with Bob Daisley (and smiles), his laughter at Ronnie during "Do You Close Your Eyes" when Ritchie comes in too soon (or was it too long?) for Ronnie, Ritchie's admiring gaze at Cozy after his drum solo, etc.

What else can be said? YOU HAVE TO GET THIS IF YOU ARE A BLACKMORE/ DIO/ RAINBOW FANATIC! 'Nuff said...oh, one more thing: get the accompanying 2-cd set, too!

I used to have the "Rainbow On Stage" cassette years ago, and this DVD is from the same tour, I think. Blackmore, Dio, Powell, Daisley and Stone round out this power lineup. Things get rolling in a hurry with an awesome version of "Kill the King". I recently purchased Deep Purple "California Jam '74" and Blackmore's style is rather similar on this performance. He even destroys his guitar at the end. It's rather frightening how fast his destroyed guitar, hanging by the cord, gets spinning as he repeatedly smashes it on the stage, about 3 feet from the first row of fans, as he then flings it into the audience again. Yowch!

But back to the music! Ronnie Dio is amazing. Him and Blackmore made one heck of a charismatic and talented guitar/vocal attack. Cozy's thundering double bass drum assault pounds through the speakers, as Daisley and Stone thicken up the mix with the nice bass/keyboard addition.

The song selection is great, and, as always, there is plenty of soloing and jamming, which extend the length of the songs, but that's part of what Deep Purple and Rainbow have always been about live.

I love all the Deep Purple and Rainbow lineups...they all are unique and wonderful. If you do too, you must buy this. The DTS 5.1 sound mix just smokes! Crank it up, for crying out loud! The price is unbeatable as well. What in the world are you waiting for? All you young kids out there should get this, and you'll see why some of the best rock music came out of the 1960s and 1970s. Bands today just don't have mastery of their instruments, or the songwriting ability like the classic artists. Unfortunately, bands this charismatic and talented are a fast dying breed. Buy this and see these guys in their prime!

This concert DVD is a one of a kind because it doesn't appear that there is ANY more live footage of this era of Rainbow that one could look forward to being released. The performances from the entire band are excellent. I could do without some of the solos by members but that was concert-going for the times. Ronnie James Dio has so much energy and power it's wonderful to see him here. You can see a Dio in the making with a "not quite fully realized" stage presence. Ritchie is of course the mastermind and it shows. I just won't be able to say enough here about how high I recommend this for anyone who has enjoyed Rainbow in this incarnation or for anyone that has found they enjoyed anything by Dio or Blackmore after this time period. One of rock's lesser mentioned giant groups that forged the way for so much more to follow. And a concert to finally imortalize it. To a true fan this is gold.

Yes, this is well worth the 9.99 price! I love seeing Ronnie Dio as a young man, full of power and energy. The show is very well captured, with lots of wide shots, so that one can enjoy the 30 foot tall, computer controlled rainbow light show.

Blackmore definitely hogs the stage time, and as mentioned, the finale left me saying WTF?? But, it's very entertaining, none the less. The star of the show is Dio, of course. It's also interesting to hear Bob Daisley's backing vocals.

There are two interviews and an audio commentary, plus the two booklets. If you're a fan of Rainbow, Dio, or Purple, you need to get this immediately.

Ritchie Blackmore was a hard rock icon. His virtuosity, signature sound, and onstage flair, helped make him one of the genre's first guitar heroes as a member of Deep Purple. Blackmore's personality and approach to music, contributed to his reputation as a mysterious, larger than life figure, as he left Purple to form Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio. Over the years, much has been said about Blackmore, how he managed Rainbow, and the numerous lineup changes to the band. The truth seems to be somewhat shrouded in myth. This release provides a look at Rainbow near the high point of the Dio era.

The circumstances concerning this performance are discussed in the bonus materials. The details vary, but basically just prior to the concert, Blackmore was being detained in an Austrian jail. Upon being released, he rushed to Munich, to take the stage only slightly behind schedule. Rather than being upset by the circumstances, Blackmore seems to be in a good, perhaps even a sedate mood. Beneath a huge illuminated rainbow, the band plays for nearly two-hours, covering the best of their material at the time. Blackmore lets his guitar do the talking, as the concert becomes a musical odyssey, where most of the songs become extended vehicles that display a dynamic range of sound and styles. Much like Purple, Rainbow live is nothing like the records, as the songs transcend their traditional format. Each performance is truly unique, with much dependent on the mood of the `Man in black'. This appears to be a very good night. The band is tight, adept at taking cues from Ritchie on the various long improvisational numbers, anchored by drummer Cozy Powell. Recent additions are Bob Daisley on bass, and David Stone on keyboards.

Not yet the metal icon in black leather, a youthful Ronnie James Dio is relaxed and comfortable running the show. One of the seminal voices in heavy metal, Dio has the gift to take you to magical places. Seeing him in jeans and a white tasseled shirt, thoughts may wander to his future work with Black Sabbath and Dio. High points include Kill the King, Catch the Rainbow, Man on the Silver Mountain and Sixteenth Century Greensleeves. With the many extended instrumental breaks, Dio is often absent giving way to Ritchie and the band. Through Blackmore is most often on center stage, Still I'm Sad features David Stone's extended solo break, followed by Cozy Powell's drum solo.

The only sour note is Blackmore's destruction of a guitar in the finale. Indicative of the time, the excess is pure theater. Fortunately it does not appear that anyone was injured while Blackmore was whipping guitar remnants around, though it appears that it could easily have happened.

A release from this lineup of Rainbow is a gem well worth having. The quality of the video is mostly good, with a variety of unobstructed camera angles. The audio is muffled at times, but overall very listenable. The bonus materials include vintage music videos for Gates Of Babylon, LA Connection and Long Live Rock `n' Roll. Interviews with Bob Daisley and roadie Colin Hart, though unfortunately nothing from either Blackmore or Dio. There is a slide show with a commentary by an unnamed but quite informed narrator. Also included is a booklet of detailed liner notes and a mini reproduction of the original concert program.