RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW is the first album by hard rock band Rainbow, released in July 1975. It was recorded and released while lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was still a member of Deep Purple. Lead vocalist Ronnie James Dio has called this his favourite Rainbow album.
Elf had supported Deep Purple on the previous year's tour promoting the band's album BURN. Elf was led by dramatic metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who later seem to connected with Blackmore in quite a chemical fashion. RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW marked the first collaboration between Dio and Blackmore, and it is essentially the lineup of Elf with Blackmore instead of Steve Edwards. Blackmore would dismiss all the other Elf musicians and recruit new players for subsequent Rainbow albums. Two of the songs on the album were cover versions. "Black Sheep of the Family", a song that Deep Purple had refused to record for their album STORMBRINGER, was a cover of a song recorded by Quatermass, and "Still I'm Sad" was an instrumental cover jam of a Yardbirds track. Originals like "Man on the Silver Mountain" is prime material, as is the six-minute blues-metal classic "Catch the Rainbow." Dio's shining vocals, shown to great effect here, have been emulated by hard rock vocalists throughout the years. "The Temple of the King" is another highlight, showcasing Blackmore's emotional guitar licks. "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" is the group's ode to medieval times.
Although Rainbow's incarnations would change through the years, the drive and energy of the original lineup holds a special place in hard rock history. A worthy purchase for the connoisseurs of the genre.
Personnel: Ronnie James Dio (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Micky Lee Soule (piano, Clavinet, organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Craig Gruber (bass guitar); Gary Driscoll (drums).
1. Man on the Silver Mountain - 4:37 2. Self Portrait - 3:12 3. Black Sheep of the Family - 3:19 4. Catch the Rainbow - 6:36 5. Snake Charmer - 4:30 6. The Temple of the King - 4:42 7. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll - 2:36 8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves - 3:29 9. Still I'm Sad - 3:53
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1999) (RMST)
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Album Description:
RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW is the first album by hard rock band Rainbow, released in July 1975. It was recorded and released while lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was still a member of Deep Purple. Lead vocalist Ronnie James Dio has called this his favourite Rainbow album.
Elf had supported Deep Purple on the previous year's tour promoting the band's album BURN. Elf was led by dramatic metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who later seem to connected with Blackmore in quite a chemical fashion. RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW marked the first collaboration between Dio and Blackmore, and it is essentially the lineup of Elf with Blackmore instead of Steve Edwards. Blackmore would dismiss all the other Elf musicians and recruit new players for subsequent Rainbow albums. Two of the songs on the album were cover versions. "Black Sheep of the Family", a song that Deep Purple had refused to record for their album STORMBRINGER, was a cover of a song recorded by Quatermass, and "Still I'm Sad" was an instrumental cover jam of a Yardbirds track. Originals like "Man on the Silver Mountain" is prime material, as is the six-minute blues-metal classic "Catch the Rainbow." Dio's shining vocals, shown to great effect here, have been emulated by hard rock vocalists throughout the years. "The Temple of the King" is another highlight, showcasing Blackmore's emotional guitar licks. "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" is the group's ode to medieval times.
Although Rainbow's incarnations would change through the years, the drive and energy of the original lineup holds a special place in hard rock history. A worthy purchase for the connoisseurs of the genre.
Personnel: Ronnie James Dio (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Micky Lee Soule (piano, Clavinet, organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Craig Gruber (bass guitar); Gary Driscoll (drums).
Audio Mixer: Martin Birch.
Recording information: Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany (02/20/1975-03/14/1975).
Produced by Blackmore, Birch, Dio.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Track Listing:
1. Man on the Silver Mountain - 4:37
2. Self Portrait - 3:12
3. Black Sheep of the Family - 3:19
4. Catch the Rainbow - 6:36
5. Snake Charmer - 4:30
6. The Temple of the King - 4:42
7. If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll - 2:36
8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves - 3:29
9. Still I'm Sad - 3:53