RAINBOW
"Live
in Munich 1977" (Eagle Records; 2006)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Although may fans argue that, like Deep Purple, Rainbow continue to issue a seemingly endless line of live performances taken from their perhaps unmatchable, extensive career history), "Live in Munich 1977" is perhaps evidence as to why this isn't a bad thing.
Recorded live at the Munich Olympiahall in Germany on October 20th, 1977, "Live in Munich 1977" is two discs featuring the legendary band with one of its most impressive line-ups. As you might expect, considering his reputation, this CD is mostly about guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Although there are nearly 100 minutes of music here, there are also only eight tracks, once of which runs over 25 minutes alone. Blackmore is famous for turning a 4-minute radio hit into a 20-minute onstage extravaganza and that is certainly the case here. The good news is that it sounds great. Blackmore is truly one of rock's greatest musicians and listening to him do his thing on "Live in Munich 1977" is nothing short of riveting.
Of course, you've also got Ronnie James Dio on vocals, as well as Cozy Powell, Bob Daisley and Dave Stone rounding out the band. That's one killer line-up and they definitely deliver here.
The sound quality is amazing. "Live in Munich 1977" doesn't sound as slickly produced as, say, "Kiss Alive!", but instead has a rawer live sound that puts the listener in the middle of the show.
It's highly unlikely that we'll ever see any new music from Rainbow and it's nigh impossible that we'll ever see this line-up perform again so it's nice to have a record of their brilliance, even if it is almost thirty years old.
Rainbow: Ritchie Blackmore; Ronnie James Dio; Cozy Powell; Bob Daisley; Dave Stone.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 11 Nov 2008 01:17:30 -0600
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