Ritchie Blackmore is best known for being the guitarist in Deep Purple, and for the many incarnations of the band Rainbow which was essentially a backing band for him. At least, that was how it started and that was how it was for most of its existence, specially in later years. Every album introduced at least one, if not more, new members as they either quit or were fired, more often the latter.

In my opinion, probably the only time that Rainbow was something more than Ritchie Blackmore and some backing musicians was in this era, with Ronnie James Dio on vocals and Cozy Powell on drums. This was the band that produced the classics, "Stargazer", "Long Live Rock and Roll", "Starstruck", "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves"... they may not have been the hit singles that "I Surrender" or "Since You've Been Gone" were, but they were real songs! After Dio's departure, Rainbow seemed to become little more than a vehicle for Blackmore.

Rainbow's original live album, "On Stage", was released in 1977, drawing from recordings made on the same tour as this album. However, if you believe the rumour, much of that "live" album is actually not live; apparently there is about as much re-recorded and replaced as there is actually from the concerts. In one interview I read, it said that even the audience cheering is a tape loop!

If that is the case, then "Rainbow Live In Germany" could be the first REAL live release of the band. And it certainly sounds more like a genuine, "warts and all" recording. The sound, the feel is more "live", you can hear the occasional wrong note, instruments not quite in unison, none of which occurs on "On Stage".

There is no doubt that this recording is taken from the same time as "On Stage"; the track listing is very close indeed and the running order too is almost the same. Even the "jams" and the solos and the extended passages sound very similar indeed.

That in itself is not such a bad thing; it does, however, mean that if you already own "On Stage" then there is not much new here for you - only two songs which you won't already have, a drum solo (in "Still I'm Sad") and the knowledge that every note you hear is more likely to have actually been played on stage in Germany than in a recording studio in USA. For this reason, this album is going to appeal more to the hardcore Rainbow fan, or to someone who doesn't have "On Stage" already!

The album opens exactly the same as "On Stage" with a clip from "Oz", with Dorothy saying, "we must be over the Rainbow", then the band playing the opening chords, and Blackmore kicking into:

"Kill The King". When Blackmore starts on that riff, you can't help but think, "YES!" I sometimes find myself holding back from punching the air above my head! A fast paced number, played very similar to On Stage, crisp, tight, some great drumming, great vocals.

"Mistreated" The Deep Purple classic is again very similar to On Stage, even Blackmore's twiddling at the start. There is the usual long instrumental passages, with Blackmore playing several drawn out solos. Nothing really new, and although he plays well, there is not enuogh to keep it gripping.

"Sixteenth Century Greensleeves". A classic song from the first Rainbow album. A very long into, with Blackmore seeminly meandering around some slow, soft guitar pieces before launching into the simple but unforgetable riff. Once he's started there is no slowing down, it is straight on to the end.

"Catch The Rainbow", a beautiful song also from the first album. Fans will recognise the slow intro, the long instrumental passages and improvisation after the main body of the song. The first seven minutes is gentle, then it kicks into a couple of minutes of powerful, emotional instrumental before slowing down again almost to a standstill while Blackmore plays around then drives back up for the final few minutes. A superb rendition, probably a little better at times than "On Stage". And listening to the backing vocals, you will believe that this is real live, with no overdubs!

"Man On The Silver Mountain": a different intro! With jam! At last something new. After a few minutes they bring on the real thing. They play through the song then have a short bluesy jam - just like on "On Stage" except here it is not given the song title "Blues" for itself! This leads into a vocal workout for Ronnie James Dio, improvising,

"Stargazer": THE Rainbow classic, from the excellent "Rising" album. Why this was not included on the original is anyone's guess. The song starts with a keyboard introduction by Tony Carey, which gives him his chance to shine. After nearly give minutes the drums come in and they launch into the song - and wow! It is an excellent live rendition of a truly classic, epic song. Mostly true to the original studio version except, of course, Blackmore's solo is much longer, rather experimental, great listening.

"Still I'm Sad", the climax of the gig; originally done by the Yardbirds in the form of a Gregorian chant, completely rocked up by Rainbow. Familiarly, after the verses and choruses there is short, sharp instrumental section before slowing right down, a typical Blackmore quiet section, then a keyboard solo for Carey. when that is done, there is the biggest difference from "On Stage": a drum solo. Now, I like the late Cozy Powell as a drummer, he is good, solid, powerful. This solo doesn't really show him at his best, but it has its moments. From there it's back into the riff and another verse, leading into the final crescendo of the gig, before:

"Do You Close Your Eyes", played here as an encore. They blast through it at a real lick, then Blackmore just really lets rip on his guitar; hear the whammy bar going, tortured notes are flying. On the CD there is a photo of him smashing up his guitar and I reckon that is what he is doing here! He retrieves another guitar to play the final close.

So overall what can I say? All except two of the songs are on "Rainbow On Stage", in a more note-perfect form with no mistakes, no wrong notes. If you want a "sanitised" version of the best Rainbow incarnation live, then get that. But if you want the raw, the real, warts-and-all sound, then this is a great album. For the real Rainbow fan, it is an essential addition to the collection.

The only downside, why not have a few more songs that were NOT on "On Stage".




Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out