Customer Reviews

Rising

5 star:		(110)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is THE definitive Rainbow record! After the first album, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" was released, Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio chucked Dio's former Elf bandmates and replaced them with Tony Carey on keyboards, Jimmy Bain on bass guitar, and Cozy Powell on drums. This lineup fit together perfectly, and brought out the true mystical aura of Rainbow better than any of the other lineups. The front cover couldn't say it any better: Rainbow is powerful, progressive yet rooted in ancient lore, dark and mystical but also full of light and hope. If Rainbow's music on "Rising" could be summed up in a picture, then this would be the visual representation of their music.

It's amazing; this album only has six songs on it, and totals only about 34 minutes. But Rainbow's "Rising" is far more than the sum of its parts. It conjures up such mystery, imagination, and wonder that it goes way beyond its songs to create such a beautiful panorama of images for the mind to enjoy.

The album opens with one of the greatest and most memorable keyboard intros in the history of rock and roll, for the powerful song "Tarot Woman." When Tony Carey did this back then, he probably didn't know that this would cement him in R'N'R history as one of the most dynamic, three-dimensional keyboard players ever. But it did, and this keyboard intro is his proudest moment on the album. When the bass and drums kick in, they pack a wallop similar to a train crashing through a brick wall. This CD is a sonic boom of epic proportions.

"Run With The Wolf" and "Starstruck" also pack a major punch, with Ronnie James Dio's powerful voice seeming to float on top of the music. It is an instrument all it's own. Not bad for a former barroom bluesman who got his career started as the founding member of "Ronnie and The Rumblers" way back in the late 50's (I wonder if I can get a collection of their songs, I'd love to hear what Ronnie sounded like back then...imagine that, eh?)

Although "Do You Close Your Eyes" is short and fairly disposable (I'm sorry, but it is the only song that just doesn't seem to fit here; I think it would have been better off on the first album, quite frankly), it is followed by what is my favorite song on the album, the magical epic "Stargazer." This song never fails to give me chills, especially when I am listening to it in the dark (this is one of those albums that are best heard in the dark). To me, this really is the centerpiece of the album, as it has Ronnie singing, "I see a rainbow rising!", and it features such an unbeatable combination of atmospheric keyboards and orchestra, slicing guitar work, and thunderous bass and drums. This is the progressive side of Heavy Metal at its very best.

The album then closes with "Light In The Black," which begins as a pretty straight-forward rocker, but soon turns out to be an extended showcase of keyboard and guitar solos, courtesy of Carey and Blackmore, respectively. This is Tony Carey's second proudest moment on the album. Overall, this is Rainbow's proudest moment-- ever.

As I sit to write a few words about an album that means so much to me I start to shudder a little in anticipation and excitement. "Rising" is quite simply the greatest hard rock record ever! The combination of Powell, Bain, Carey, Dio and Blackmore however short lived produced absolute magic in 1976. Ronnie James Dio never sang or wrote better lyrics and next to "In Rock" this is Ritchie's undisputed masterpiece. "Stargazer",the mystical successor to "Stairway to Heaven", blows Zeppelin and Purple away in its power and ambition. "Light in the Black" helped invent speed metal with its lightning quick dueling leads of Tony Carey (keyboards) and Blackmore. Carey also shines on the intro to "Tarot Woman" as does Cozy Powell on "Stargazer" and "Light". I personally love "Do You Close Your Eyes" as a welcome mood swing contrasting with the evil magic on much of the album. Witches, wizards, slaves and masters all parade through the black night created by Blackmore and co. I believe this was the album Ritchie always wanted to make after "Deep Purple in Rock" but it took him six years to find the right conspirators. Rainbow followed up this monster with "On Stage" then "Long Live Rock n'Roll" (an album which is almost as breathtaking) which proved to be Dio's curtain call with the band. Rainbow could have been the greatest metal band ever but it was never the same after "Rising" and "LLRNR" as Blackmore chose to pursue commercial success over artistic genius. "Rising" is THE gothic metal classic, nothing else comes close.

This absolutely one of the best rock albums of all time for me! This my third copy of the album already. I've got the first copy way back in the late seventies. Played the LP almost every day so it got worn out until it came to a point where I don't like to play it anymore. I bought again the LP in the 80s. When I came to know of Amazon.com I bought it also in CD.
Songs like Stargazer, A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman and Do You Close Your Eyes are some of my favorites rock songs of all time too.
Listen to Ritchie Blackmore, RJD, Jimmy Bain, Tony Carey and Cozy Powell on this album! This is a master piece in rock!

This is the classic metal album for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,
before axemeister and taskmaster Blackmore turned the group membership into a game of musicial chairs.The lineup of Ronnie James Dio(vocals ),Ritchie Blackmore(lead guitar),Tony Carey(keyboards),Cozy Powell(drums),and Jimmy Bain(bass guitar) finally broke free the the Deep Purple sound and influence that pervaded the debut album(RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW) and stamped the musical world with their own unique Wizards and Warriors rock.It is this lineup and album that remains the classic with fans of the band.

TAROT WOMAN - Tony Carey takes us on an interstellar flight with his keyboard intro,before Ritchie's opening riffs bring us back down to earth,waiting for Cozy to pound us into the ground.The first time I heard Dio's voice on this track,I became a Rainbow fan.

RUN WITH THE WOLF - Great bluesy number with amazing fretwork from Blackmore and great lyrics sung with menacing conviction by rock's Napoleon."There's a break in the sky . . .something evil's passing by".

STARSTRUCK - Tale of an overzealous and overbearing groupie.Dio spits out the words with exasperative fury.Powell's pounding around his kit is a joy to a skinpounder like myself.

DO YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES - Straightforward chunky rocker that showcases the bedrock team of Powell and Bain.Great lines: "I know a rich man,a poor man . . .I know how to talk to a king".

STARGAZER - The best Rainbow track ever . . .bar none.All the band play a hand in the epic telling of the rise and fall of a Wizard,as witnessed by his slaves/servants/subjects.Blackmore's guitar solo has a Middle Eastern flavour to it.Quite possibly Dio's best lyric and vocal performance of his long career.The orchestra buried in the mix,when released,lift the track hig into the stratosphere where in remains for the next track.

LIGHT IN THE BLACK - A glorious excuse for a long jam session.
All band members get a chance to solo and shine.Tony Carey's fingers fly over his keyboards.Brilliant way to end this landmark in Heavy Metal.

I think the existing reviews pretty much say it all but I would like to add the following -

Not only is Rising the best Rainbow album, I think it is the single best example of Ritchie Blackmore that exists. Even more so than any Deep Purple release where, no matter how dominant Blackmore was, he still had to conform a little to his bandmates. After all, Deep Purple was a BAND, Rainbow was Blackmore's project.

The only problems I have are actually what happened after this album was released....the fact that he apparently stopped playing the magnificent 2nd side (Stargazer & A Light In The Black) because I have never heard recorded live versions of either and this tour was the only one I remember them being played at all!!

And, more importantly.....WHY did he push Rainbow more and more into pop-rock after Dio left!! By "Straight Between The Eyes" it was hard to recognize as the same band. Was rock star lite Joe Lynn Turner REALLY that much of an influence?? Apparently so.

In my humble opinion Blackmore should just have left well enough alone because I also happen to consider this one of the 10 GREATEST hard rock albums EVER recorded!! 'Nuff said!!

"Rainbow Rising". Just mention this album to true Rainbow fans and 95% of them will say one thing. "THE best Rainbow album ever!" I totaly agree. (Well, actualy "Blackmore's Rainbow" comes close for me also). I have owned this album on cassette and CD. When I found out about the "remastered" Rainbow albums, I just had to go and get them. Is it worth it to get the "Remastered" version? YES! Suha Gur did an excellent job on the remastering on this classic. Ronnie James Dio's vocals jump out and grab you by the throat. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar crunches on. Tony Carey's keyboards sound great to the highest note, while Jimmy Bain's bass and Cozy Powell's drums will slam you back so hard it almost causes whiplash. Not to mention the job done on the CD cover. If there was one thing I would have to complain about this album it is this, there is about 10 seconds of the keyboard opening to "Tarot Woman" taken back out. (Just like on the cassette version). While it was in the first CD version, (Polydor 823 655-2 Y-1). But other than that, this is a definate must have for the true Rainbow fan. A toast! A cheer! Long Live Rock and Roll! Catch the Rainbow!

This is where Rainbow should've stayed at -- Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals with Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar. The songs on this album are hard hitting and showcase Blackmore's neo-classical guitar style that predates the shredders of the 80's. And of course with Dio's voice and choice of lyrics you can't go wrong. "Run With The Wolf" and "Stargazer" are my favorites with the later's extended guitar soloing that showcases Blackmore's liking for exotic scales. One of the best guitar players out there with the best singer in metal/hard rock!!!

But, unfortunately I can only give it five. This album is a classic, right up there with Machine Head. "Tarot Woman" is an awesome opener. "Run With the Wolf" rocks along and is one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head. "Starstruck" is pretty good too. "Do You Close Your Eyes" isn't quite as good as the rest of the album, but excellent none the less. The real highlight of the album is "Stargazer." Wow. Wow. WOW. It left me stunned and speechless the first time I heard it. An epic in its own right. "A Light in the Black" is a great finisher for Rainbow's best album. Long Live Rock and Roll is a close second to this one. Rising is an essential must-have in any rock collection, especially for Deep Purple fans and people who don't own it. Verdict: Buy two.

What a great album! This is one of the premier heavy rock albums of all time. This is the stuff many 80s hairbands tried to copy with little or no success. Yngwie be damned, Richie Blackmore truly is one of the finest riff-masters of all time. Dio's voice shines as always. Hell, even the synthesizer parts are cool, and I hate synths. Buy this album immediately.

Can someone tell me why Rainbow isn't as well known or respected as Zeppelin? Or Sabbath for that matter? Zeppelin kinda hogged all the spotlight for 70s hard rock and left some other great groups without their due credit. Uriah Heep, Blue Oyster Cult and Thin Lizzy to name a few. Sure, Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow are considered to be be classics in the critics' eyes, but who of the younger generation has even heard of Rainbow? There are some, but not many. The only people I run into who know about them are folks my parents' age who were youngsters during Rainbow's prime. Well folks, instead of adding Houses Of The Holy to your collection, why don't you pick up Rising instead. You won't regret it, coz this is a killer album. Not a wasted second. Ritchie Blackmore really got the green weenie, he should be higher up on the guitar players list than he is. Go ahead and crucify me, but the man's a better player than Jimmy Page. Don't take my word for it, listen to the album coz the guitar playing speaks for itself. So, if you have any love for 70s hard rock, you'd "better lay your money dooooown." and get Rising.