Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow [Limited Edition] [Import]

Product Description
Japanese digitally remastered reissue of 1975 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve.

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,Rainbow,Polydor,Hard Rock,Heavy Metal,Rock

Average customer rating: Classic debut solid hard rock The Old Stuff Overindulgent trash Brilliant metal masterpiece, but this new remaster is worse than the first issue

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] Rainbow Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rising Long Live Rock 'n' Roll On Stage Straight Between the Eyes Down to Earth ASIN: B00000IMTE Release Date: 1999-04-27

Tracks:

1. Man On The Silver Mountain
2. Self Portrait
3. Black Sheep Of The Family
4. Catch The Rainbow
5. Snake Charmer
6. The Temple Of The King
7. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll
8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
9. Still I'm Sad

Customer Reviews:

Classic debut.......2007-05-11

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had his work cut out for him trying to put together a project that would do justice to the work he had done in Deep Purple. Miraculously he managed it with Rainbow, recruiting singer Ronnie James Dio from Elf, a band that had been opening for Purple for several years. With Dio as a songwriting partner and using the other members of Elf (except for the guitarist) as session musicians he recorded Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. Released in 1975, this powerful debut is at least as good as anything Deep Purple ever recorded and a springboard for even greater things to come.

First the performances. Maestro Ritchie Blackmore whips out his patented guitar histrionics while displaying a level of subtlety and finesse only hinted at in his previous work. Ronnie James Dio proves immediately that he is one of the two or three finest rock vocalists ever, letting loose in a captivating and powerful way. Dio's former Elf bandmates deliver here as well. Drummer Gary Driscoll and bassist Craig Gruber make for a funky and grooving rhythm section, and pianist Micky Lee Soule comports himself well, although he seems a bit restricted by the guitar-oriented sound Blackmore was trying to acheive with Rainbow. The album is reasonably well recorded, but not spectacularly so. This is suprising considering that it's the legendary Martin Birch in the producer's chair. One assumes that deadlines and budgetary restrictions compromised his efforts somewhat.

The songwriting team of Blackmore and Dio is immediately a winner, producing some of the finest rock music in the history of the genre. Dio's melodic sense and sword-and-sorcery lyricism works very well with Blackmore's trademark classically-inspired heavy riffage. Some of the songs here are amongst either man's best, with highlights including "Man On The Silver Mountain" (a staple of Dio concerts to this day), "Catch The Rainbow" (a gorgeous ballad), "16th Century Greensleeves" (melodic yet brutal), and the introspective "Self-Portrait". Most of the other tunes are also very good, and there's a very cool instrumental cover of the Yarbirds classic "Still I'm Sad". It should be pointed out that Rainbow was still trying to feel out their direction, and there are are obvious leftover elements of both Elf and Deep Purple that make this Rainbow's most interesting and varied release.

So with all these good things to say, why only four stars? Two reasons. Firstly there's a couple of stinkers here. "If You Don't Like Rock'n'Roll" can only be described as generic filler, and the cover of "Black Sheep Of The Family" isn't any better (it wasn't a great song to begin with). Secondly the band isn't very well suited to the material; the obvious jazz and blues influences of the previous members of Elf don't always work in this context. Fortunately these men would soon be replaced by the world-class lineup that appeared on the follow-up release "Rising".

Don't let these reservations throw you. I reserve five-star ratings for albums that are perfect or very close to it, and if I give something four stars that means I like it a lot.

The bottom line: Dio, Blackmore, and "Man On The Silver Mountain". This is an album no rock fan should be without.

solid hard rock.......2007-04-10

Rainbow's debut is a great thrill if you're a big fan of Deep Purple's classic lineup (Machine Head in particular). Blackmore continues his melodically soothing guitar sound on this album. "catch the rainbow" is probably the best song here because it will remind you of a sunset in Louisiana and hearing crickets. "man on the silver mountain" is another highlight, and was even a big hit for a brief period in the mid 70's. If you like "smoke on the water" you will like this song too, no doubt.

"temple of the king" is probably the song to stand out the most because it's a really good adventurous-fantasy type song. It reminds me of that early 80's movie called The Neverending Story. No, not the theme song, I mean the movie itself. Remember that movie? It was about a boy who goes on a magical journey using his imagination. This movie and that song are so similar to each other it's not even funny.

Despite that, this album is mostly about having fun and rocking out with lots of guitars and a really good classic rock sound. Perhaps the best sound a rock record can have found right here. This is mostly a guitar-driven album, with the guitar being the main feature. Worth a purchase? Absolutely.

The Old Stuff.......2007-03-15

I'm sure I am not the only one trying to convert all of my old albums to CD. It is great to hear a clean crisp recording of this classic Rainbow line up. I have to get used to hearing certain songs without the scratches and popping, but I will enjoy it. Another great album changed over, this one has always been a favorite with Dio and Blackmore together, the ballads and the heavy riffs blend perfectly.

Overindulgent trash.......2006-11-19

This is garbage! Ritchie Blackmore took himself way too seriously. He left Deep Purple for this? Grown men singing about fairies, kings, dragons and the middleages? For, like, all the songs?

"Man on the Silver Mountain" is a great, classic song (it is also acts as a bait switch...great first song and then all down hill from there). The instrumental at the end is enjoyable since it showcases Blackmore's guitar playing (which is the reason why most people checked this out).

This sounds so silly and dated today. Ronnie James Dio's voice was a bad match for this muscular sound.

Sorry metal fans, this stinks!

Brilliant metal masterpiece, but this new remaster is worse than the first issue.......2006-05-27

I was a big Deep Purple and Elf-Dio fan and this debut Rainbow effort is one of the better if not the best albums that Dio has ever appeared on. I think that it's about tied with LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL as the finest Rainbow album. Another reviewer said that RISING was better than the debut but I don't agree. RISING is an aquired taste in my opinion, and it took me awhile to get into but it's still a good album. I got rid of the first issue of BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW several years ago, but just aquired the newest remaster and the treble response sounds a lot worse than from before and it sounds really distorted on my great car cd deck. There's nothing wrong with my car stereo either because all my other cds sound just fine. I can't believe other reviewers aren't mentioning the bad sound quality but I won't take off a star or anything because this album is such a classic. I guess I'm going to have to search out a used first issue of this on Amazon. Believe me, every song on this is just superb and definitely no filler on this release. I just wish that Dio could have gotten along with Blackmore better so we could have had a lot more albums from this lineup, but sometimes two big stars like this will definitely [...]heads, and that turns out to be the case. Go for the first issue if you want to buy this classic metal-hard rock offering.

Average customer rating: Shockingly good A great end to Rainbow Great album

Stranger in Us All Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Manufacturer: Fuel ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Blackmore's Night -- Castles & Dreams Difficult to Cure Rising The Village Lanterne Winter Carols ASIN: B0000038UT Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

1. Wolf to the Moon
2. Cold Hearted Woman
3. Hunting Humans (Insatiable)
4. Stand and Fight
5. Ariel
6. Too Late for Tears
7. Black Masquerade
8. Silence
9. Hall of the Mountain King
10. Still I'm Sad

Customer Reviews:

Shockingly good.......2006-01-11

I read the review that said it was the best Rainbow cd since Dio left and thought, "Whatever." Nonetheless, I was curious enough to buy it when I found it on e-bay, and I'm glad I did. This sounds like classic Joe Lynn Turner era Rainbow, except it's more consistent. There are no bad songs here. Some of the riffs sound reminiscent of songs from Rainbow's past, but that's the closest thing to criticism that I can come up with for this disc. The production is great, the performances are solid, and Blackmore's playing is as good as it's ever been. I think it really is the best Rainbow album since Dio left. In short, this is not just for Rainbow "completists" -- this is a required purchase for any fan of Rainbow or Ritchie Blackmore.

A great end to Rainbow.......2004-07-16

With Ritchie running off to do the Blackmore's Night project ( hey Candice is a lot better looking than Doogie) this Rainbow album never really got the attention it deserved. Arguably the best Rainbow album since the Dio days, this is a great collection of tunes. Once you settle into Doogie voice, takes a track or so, then you can kick back and listen to Ritchie at his stratocaster best. Many of the songs were written by Candice, so the medieval sound is there, much as it was with RJD.

Great album.......2003-10-01

ritchie on this album made a great work and i think it's one
of the best rainbow's albums ever,but unfortunately he change his
style after that album,i think it would be better for ritchie
to back into his old style(HARD ROCK),Stranger In Us All remains
one of the greatest rock albums ever.

Average customer rating: The Best Rock Album in Rock History

Stranger in Us All Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000007UE4 Release Date: 2000-04-18

Tracks:

1. Wolf to the Moon
2. Cold Hearted Woman
3. Hunting Humans (Insatiable)
4. Stand and Fight
5. Ariel
6. Too Late for Tears
7. Black Masquerade
8. Silence
9. Hall of the Mountain King
10. Still I'm Sad
11. Emotional Crime

Album Description

Japan's pressing of 1st new album in 10+ years. New line-up w/Ritchie Blackmore, the only original left. Other members are from ex-Rainbow Joe Lynn Turner's solo group, including vocalist Doogie White. Contains 1 bonus track. 11 tracks.

Customer Reviews:

The Best Rock Album in Rock History.......2005-12-09

Ritchie Blackmore does it again. His melodies are unforgettable. His music touches the listener's soul. With this album he discovers a new singer again. This is the Blackmore's farewell to the Rock. He is still in search and he is still not satisfied with music that proved in song I'm sad again. Blackmore is a genius and he left his track in history of music like Bach, Mozart and Bethoven. Thank you Ritchie for your music!!! I hope you'll be back to rock just one more time again. There are not enough stars to rate this album!

Average customer rating: Stranger in Us All ~ Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (updated) A Great Surprise! Blackmore = no stranger to great guitar playing The Best Rock Album in Rock History Weak album with no sizzle, memorable songs or inspired playing

Stranger in Us All Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bent Out of Shape Live in Munich 1977 Straight Between the Eyes Difficult to Cure Down to Earth ASIN: B0000060DX Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

1. Wolf To The Moon
2. Cold Hearted Woman
3. Hunting Humans (Insatiable)
4. Stand And Fight
5. Ariel
6. Too Late For Tears
7. Black Masquerade
8. Silence
9. Hall Of The Mountain King
10. Still I'm Sad

Customer Reviews:

Stranger in Us All ~ Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (updated).......2006-02-10

This album isn't so bad, it's kinda good. Especially the guitarplay. The singing isn't so good at all, not real bad, but I can't listen to that man's voice for very long. I think if Joe Lynn Turner(old Rainbow singer) would sing on these songs it would be a lot better, altough, he lost his voice so he can't sing so good anymore. The drumming isn't so spectacular either. The drummer plays very basic and doesn't do so much that impresses me. Now the good side of this album. All the songs are good except for 'Hunting Humans', that song is boring. 'Stand And Fight' and 'Too late For Tears' are two songs that are kinda similar. Those songs are nice to hear, but not really great. All the songs left are great. My favorite song of this album is 'Black Masquerade'. That song was nominated as the best song of the year(1995). Well, it surely is the best song of that year. I can't think of a song of 1995 that is better, can you? Probably not, I think. If you like hardrock then this album is something for you. I hope I helped you with my review...

That was my review on February 10, 2006.
It is April 16 now, and I need to make a change. I said I didn't like the singing of Doogie White, that was true, but not anymore. Now, on April 16 2006, I don't agree with that anymore. I do like the singing. Doogie White is my least favorite vocalists of all Rainbow vocalists, but he doesn't sing bad at all. I still agree with the rest I said on February 10 2006, so I hope this review is now even more helpful then it was before.

A Great Surprise!.......2006-01-13

I was going through my Dad's CD collection today and I stumbled upon this gem. I have always been a Ritchie Blackmore fan, so I gave it a spin. Almost every song on here is way above average, some even approach greatness. The guitar playing is very strong of course and even the vocals fit the songs like a glove. The only downside as most have mentioned is that the drumming is so basic I could probably play it. This disk will be in my car for the next month or so for sure.

Blackmore = no stranger to great guitar playing.......2005-12-19

I recently revisited this album after not listening to it for a couple of years. Wow! This features some of Ritchie Blackmore's best electric guitar playing in years. Blackmore really lets loose and puts on a clinic in the melodic hard rock style of guitar playing. The album is liberally peppered with great solos. And the vocalist, Doogie White, has a voice that is perfectly suited to this style of music. In fact, he sounds like a cross between two of Rainbow's previous vocalists, Ronnie James Dio and Joe Lynn Turner. But this is not a perfect album by any means. The drumming is so stiff and wooden that it sounds more like a fake synthesized programmed drum machine than a real human playing, and the lyrics too often are too immature, hokey and lame for my taste. But alas, great rock and roll isn't about lyrics. It is about music that is driving, high charged and exciting and about spine-chiling guitar solos. This album more than passes the muster in this regard. Best cuts include "Wolf to the Moon" which has become one of my all-time favorite Rainbow songs, and an absolutely insane version of "Hall of the Mountain King." If you can overlook the stiff, wooden drumming and childish lyrics, you will truly appreciate this great show of Blackmore's distinctive style of electric guitar playing.

The Best Rock Album in Rock History.......2005-12-09

Ritchie Blackmore does it again. His melodies are unforgettable. His music touches the listener's soul. With this album he discovers a new singer again. This is the Blackmore's farewell to the Rock. He is still in search and he is still not satisfied with music that proved in song I'm sad again. Blackmore is a genius and he left his track in history of music like Bach, Mozart and Bethoven. Thank you Ritchie for your music!!! I hope you'll be back to rock just one more time again. There are not enough stars to rate this album!

Weak album with no sizzle, memorable songs or inspired playing.......2005-04-20

That's about it in a nutshell. The guitar playing is ok but Ritchie is just playing it safe with a group around him that screams "bar band". I think he was tired after Purple let him walk in 1993. If your curious go for it but I NEVER find myself listening to it and I have gone back several times to try and let it grow on me. Better to try an unknown artist or CD and perhaps discover a gem.

Average customer rating: Blackmore's Best Studio Guitar Playing..Period!

Stranger in Us All Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Slaves and Masters The Battle Rages On... Deutschland Tournee 1976 (Live in Germany 1976) Live in Munich 1977 Perfect Strangers ASIN: B000EPFPTM Release Date: 2006-05-08

Tracks:

1. Wolf to the Moon
2. Cold Hearted Woman
3. Hunting Humans (Insatiable)
4. Stand and Fight
5. Ariel
6. Too Late for Tears
7. Black Masquerade
8. Silence
9. Hall of the Mountain King
10. Still I'm Sad
11. Emotional Crime

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

Blackmore's Best Studio Guitar Playing..Period!.......2007-04-30

When I first received this CD, I listened to it a couple times then put it away and didn't listen to it again for a couple of years. The reason was that I was put off by the amateurish drumming and the dumb lyrics. But since then I have listened to it again and again and this is an album which really grows on you. Blackmore's guitar playing is so strong that this actually is a very inspired effort in spite of the flaws of the other band members. Here Blackmore displays every trick and technique that he has ever learned or created throughout his entire career. He plays fast, he plays slow, he plays acoustic, he plays electric, he plays melodic, he plays with feeling, he plays hard-driving, he plays slide, he plays classically-influenced...he even breaks out the wah-wah peddle, something he hasn't used since his Mark I Deep Purple days! There simply isn't a boring or weak guitar moment on this entire CD. That is why I say that, in terms of CONSISTENCY and DIVERSITY, this has to be Blackmore's best studio guitar playing on record and this observation is coming from a long-time Blackmore fan who owns all the Deep Purple and Rainbow albums. In the Deep Purple and Rainbow days, Blackmore would occasionally come up with a solo that sounded like he was either bored or disinterested. There is nothing of the sort here. Blackmore's energy and enthusiasm are unprecedented here. He even creates some unexpected twists such as the Spanish-flamenco style guitar solo in the middle of a hard rock song and in a couple of the songs, the riff suddenly changes to a different riff in the middle of the song! Blackmore's ability to play interesting and creative variations on the basic melody of the song put him on a par above all others in the genre. His leads and fills are unparalleled. And his ability to create solos which perfectly fit the song and to finish off solos better than anyone in the business are never in stronger evidence than here. If you want to hear what a true master guitarist sounds like at the top of his craft, give this album a listen or two or three...

Average customer rating: Brilliant debut of Rainbow, but stick with this first issue for better sound quality Rainbow - 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' (Polydor) 4.5 stars - an excellent album THE ORIGINAL IS USUALLY THE BEST... Searching for direction

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Rainbow Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Rising Long Live Rock 'n' Roll Long Live Rock 'n' Roll Down to Earth The Mob Rules ASIN: B000001FD8 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Man On The Silver Mountain
2. Self Portrait
3. Black Sheep Of The Family
4. Catch The Rainbow
5. Snake Charmer
6. The Temple Of The King
7. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll
8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
9. Still I'm Sad

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant debut of Rainbow, but stick with this first issue for better sound quality.......2006-05-29

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!!!

Rainbow - 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow' (Polydor).......2005-12-03

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.

4.5 stars - an excellent album.......2004-02-20

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975.) Rainbow's first album.

Circa 1974, Ritchie Blackmore must have been tired of playing in Deep Purple, because after nine albums with them, he finally left. Elf was a blues rock act who opened for Deep Purple in recent years, and Blackmore was really into them. He joined forces with the members of that band, and his new band, Rainbow, was born! With future heavy metal star Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals, Blackmore and company set out to rock the world! Did they succeed with their first album? Read on and see.

The first thing I should probably point out is that this album, while a classic rock power album, is a far cry from Rainbow's later material - it's much more bluesy than their later material. This is because this is essentialy "an Elf album with Blackmore." But, what we get is a solid album nonetheless. The opener, Man On The Silver Mountain, is a solid classic hard rocker that would go on to become one of the band's biggest hits, as well as a fan favorite. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll is the most bluesy track on the album, but it's still excellent (despite another reviewer's comment.) Another one of the excellent bluesy tunes here is Black Sheep Of The Family. And, of course, who could forget the gloomy yet melodic stylings of songs like Self Portrait and Catch The Rainbow? These are underrated classic rock masterpieces. The Temple Of The King and Sixteenth Century Greensleeves hint at a medieval sound, something that fascinated Blackmore (and would eventually destroy his career, but I'm not gonna get into that here.) A short but sweet instrumental entitled Still I'm Sad finishes off the album. All in all, a cool album.

Even though Blackmore was no longer a part of Deep Purple, this album more than proved that he was still a capable rock artist. This was also the band that would really launch Ronnie James Dio's career - he'd become a big time heavy metal legend in the eighties. If you're a fan of Blackmore or Dio, or just good classic power rock, Rainbow's Dio-era material is some good stuff you simply can't overlook.

THE ORIGINAL IS USUALLY THE BEST..........1999-07-14

...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?

Searching for direction.......1999-04-07

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.

Average customer rating:

Finyl Vinyl [Japan Import] [1st Press] Rainbow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000M2UNEO

Product Description

Out of print since 1987, this is the first CD pressing from Japan, manufactured and sold in Japan to the CD buying public back in the infancy days of CDs, in 1986. Original Polydor records Japan CD issue, catalog: P38P-20040.

Average customer rating:

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow / Straight Between The Eyes Rainbow Manufacturer: CDM ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000K7OVO4

Product Description

1 Man on the Silver Mountain 2 Self Portrait 3 Black Sheep of the Family 4 Catch the Rainbow 5 Snake Charmer 6 The Temple of the King 7 If You Don't Like Rock & Roll 8 Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 9 Still I'm Sad 10 Death Alley Driver 11 Stone Cold 12 Bring on the Night (Dream Chaser) 13 Tite Squeeze 14 Tearin' Out My Heart 15 Power 16 Miss Mistreated 17 Rock Fever 18 Eyes of Fire

Average customer rating: 4.5 stars - A solid first album

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Rainbow Manufacturer: Polydor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005S76Z Release Date: 1975-01-01

Tracks:

1. Man on the Silver Mountain
2. Self Portrait
3. Black Sheep of the Family
4. Catch the Rainbow
5. Snake Charmer
6. Temple of the King
7. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll
8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
9. Still I'm Sad

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Universal. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

4.5 stars - A solid first album.......2005-03-11

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975.) Rainbow's first album.

Circa 1974, Ritchie Blackmore must have been tired of playing in Deep Purple, because after nine albums with them, he finally left. Elf was a blues rock act who opened for Deep Purple in recent years, and Blackmore was really into them. He joined forces with the members of that band, and his new band, Rainbow, was born! With future heavy metal star Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals, Blackmore and company set out to rock the world! Did they succeed with their first album? Read on and see.

The first thing I should probably point out is that this album, while a classic rock power album, is a far cry from Rainbow's later material - it's much more bluesy than their later material. This is because this is essentialy "an Elf album with Blackmore." But, what we get is a solid album nonetheless. The opener, Man On The Silver Mountain, is a solid classic hard rocker that would go on to become one of the band's biggest hits, as well as a fan favorite. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll is the most bluesy track on the album, but it's still excellent. Another one of the excellent bluesy tunes here is Black Sheep Of The Family. And, of course, who could forget the gloomy yet melodic stylings of songs like Self Portrait and Catch The Rainbow? These are underrated classic rock masterpieces. The Temple Of The King and Sixteenth Century Greensleeves hint at a medieval sound, something that fascinated Blackmore (and would eventually destroy his career, but I'm not gonna get into that here.) A short but sweet instrumental entitled Still I'm Sad finishes off the album. All in all, a cool album.

THE TEXT IN THIS PARAGRAPH REFERS EXCLUSIVELY TO THE WARNER BROS. AMERICAN REISSUE OF THE ALBUM. The record company did a decent job remastering and rereleasing the Black Sabbath catalogue, as did they several other artists. Unfortunately, they didn't really do anything outside of improving the sound quality. You don't get expanded liner notes, interviews, bonus tracks, combined albums, or anything. Oh, well. I still think it's a damn fine album.

Even though Blackmore was no longer a part of Deep Purple, this album more than proved that he was still a capable rock artist. This was also the band that would really launch Ronnie James Dio's career - he'd become a big time heavy metal legend in the eighties. If you're a fan of Blackmore or Dio, or just good classic power rock, Rainbow's Dio-era material is some good stuff you simply can't overlook.

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Cozy Powell Forever Tribute [Japan Import] Munetaka Higuchi , Minoru Niihara , Carmine Appice , and Tony Franklin Manufacturer: E.A.R. Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000K99X0Y

Product Description

1998. Out of print import from Japan. Tribute CD to Cozy Powell, a project created by Munetaka Higuchi (legendary Loudness & Lazy guitarist). Lead vocals by former Loudness/Ded Chaplin vocalist, Minoru Niihara. Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice also appear as guest musicians. Tracks: Overtrure 1812, Stargazer, Over the top, Lost in Hollywood, The score, Kill the king, Theme one, Ice cream cakes, All night long, Since you've been gone, Slide it in, Armed and ready, The loner.

Rock Music:

1. Rock N Roll [Import]
2. Scards [Import]
3. Shut the Gate Suzy and Don't Let Me In
4. Simon & Garfunkel-Greatest Hits Go Classical [Import]
5. Snafu 10-31-'91 [Live]
6. Snorkelling With God [Import]
7. So Hard to Laugh
8. Steel Pony Weekend
9. Stewart Rod-Greatest Hits [Import]
10. Story So Far: Very Best of [Import]

Rock Music