Customer Reviews

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...and I don't think this is any exception. With all due respect to some of the other reviewers, this album has more variety, and just out and out better compositons than "Rising" (which is a 5 star record itself). "Silver Mountain" has to be the trademark Rainbow riff/song. "Catch the Rainbow" is really Hendrix's "Little wing" reworked nicely. "Still I'm Sad" is Blackmores greatest instrumental track. "Black Sheep" is a track Ritchie always wanted to do with Purple (but they didn't). "Temple" and "Sixteenth..." are both proper examples of the hallmark dark, mystical imagery that best typifies the Blackmore/Dio collaboration. After this and "Rising", it was downhill, but who cares?

Originally released in 1975,as this was Rainbow's stunning debut record.I,personally remember seeing this album for sale in stores like Kmart,Record Bar,etc.In a sense,'Ritchie...' is somewhat of a historic lp.I mean,it not only marks Blackmore's first post-Deep Purple work,but it showcases vocalist Ronnie James Dio's first wide audience exposure.Who thought that Dio would have such a long run in the music business?Plus,he can STILL put together a good new release.Tracks here that never grow old are "Man On The Silver Mountain","Catch The Rainbow"(haven't heard this cut in awhile),"Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" and "Still I'm Sad".Straight to the point,just good party-til-dawn '70's heavy rock&roll.A should-have.

It is obvious that Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio were searching for direction with their new band. Man on the Silver Mountain is a classic Blackmore riff and the lyrics are classic Dio-type medieval fantasy. After the first track though, the songs become very bluesy and its strange to hear Dio sing them. This album is by no means weak, but its not as powerful as what you would expect from Blackmore or Dio. "Rising", their follow up album, is much better and shows more direction. Still , anything with Blackmore or Dio, or together, will never get anything less than three stars.

I love this album. It is and will always be one of my favorites. The feel and mystical quality of the songs contributes to an overall delightful musical experience. I remember buying it in 1975 when it was released. I must have listened to it over and over and over. Anyway, one of MY all-time favorites.

Absolutely fabulous record! Since leaving Purple (DEEP, you must know what I'm talking about) Mr. Blackmore completely topped my charts with this one. Temple of the King, for instance, WOW! The mood, the blue notes in his scale, just beatiful. Even better than the live-one from the 96-97 tour.

Some of the best guitar work ever recorded, Still I'm Sad is a masterpiece. Man on the Silver Mountain to Sixteenth Century Greensleeves shows how artistically inclinded Blackmore is.

An interesting mix of a variety of styles. The first track is a riff heavy hard rock number, and the second is sort of a power ballad (I guess). After that the disc becomes more bluesy/countryish/lighthearted for a few songs, finally switching back to a more rock oriented number or two. The guitar and especially the singing (James Dio) really stand out. If you are a fan of modern hard rock/metal you *do* want to check out this classic group.

I just reviewed the remaster of this first Rainbow release, but would like to steer everyone to this first issue that isn't remastered because in my opinion this has the better sound quality. The remaster sounds distorted and the treble response is quite a bit worse than this previous issue. I know there isn't a problem with either one of my stereo systems in the home and the car because all the other rock cds sound superb on them. As far as the content of this debut of Rainbow. This is about equal with the last Dio-Rainbow effort LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL, and is a brilliant metal-hardrock offering. Just wish that this lineup of the band would have made a lot more records but no such luck. Enjoy!!!