Rainbow, Rising (Polydor 1976)
Long story short Richie Blackmore left Deep Purple and formed Rainbow. Lead singer at the time is Ronnie James Dio. Two names just about anyone who is a fan of music knows add in drummer Cozy Powell and you have a formidable line up.
So why is it here? Well yes the band did do very well and indeed even this album went gold in the UK. But most people know Rainbow for the cover of "Since You Been Gone" that was a top ten in 1979 with a different line up. From this album to that single the band changed so much.
Here you have a band who just seem to fit so well, recording of the album was done with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, now that adds in something really special.
Most people regard rock fans to just like guitar riffs and that is it. But here opening track starts with a keyboard intro by Tony Carey, he throws the sound from left to right but it is soon followed up by the rest of the band. A simple track that helps you settle into the album. Some nice drumming from Cozy and even nice keyboard accompaniment helps the melody come through. Richie steels the light later on with a fantastic solo.
This album was only six tracks long but first track "Tarot Woman" clocks in at six minutes. Next up "Run with the Wolf" is more what people are used to three minutes and a catch chorus that uses the songs name. It really shows what Dio can do with his voice, he makes the song sound like Dio. The song does feel rushed but ultimately it may have been a track to please the record company as a single.
"Starstruck" starts to show what Cosy can do, you could set your watch on his timing on the intro. Something that you never really get back in the 70s was BIG drum intros I think it was more to do with producers not really knowing how to record it. But here it is as clear as a bell. Producer Martin Birch has recorded them all and knows a thing or two about getting the drums just right, Dio takes a step back and just lets the band jam on this one and it is a great foot tapper. Feel free to start air drumming as well. Next song "Do You Close Your Eyes" is a great radio song, Dio makes the most of the vocals and adds in some of his signature volume that would guarantee that all in the room (and next) can hear him.
Flip the album over to the last two tracks and here is the big song "Stargazer". This long, epic track with symphonic influences adds in the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Clocking in at over 8 minutes it really needs some attention as it does feel to the untrained ear as if not much is going on. But that is why I think this track is so sneaky. The orchestra has been mixed in as if it is a guitar. Also the keyboards take back a major role in this song and they also beef up the atmosphere. Richie's guitar work here is stunning and never feels over done or too guitar wanky as some may say it. The galloping drums reminds along with the orchestra could have been used in a Hollywood film as it just works so well. Dio indulges in his passion for lyrics in fantasy, swords and wizards. With his voice bellowing over the whole production you would think you were in a concert hall. The skill involved in getting this sound onto one grove of a record is nothing short of a miracle. And it is not over.
Last track "A Light in the Black" shows the band at there metal maximum with Richie riffing like mad and carrying the song away into another world. More amazing Dio vocals and lyrics help make the trip here seem like you have been dreaming of lands far away. This track showcases a solo on the keyboard done again by Carey. This is why the album is so good as Blackmore lets the band do what they are best at, the keyboard solo would make Rick Wakeman blush. It is fantastic and so over the top it needs to be to end the album. Again clocking in over eight minutes it is a stayer.
Back to why it is here, put simply it has been overlooked for too long. I only ever see it in magazines that promote classic rock music and it really should be heard by all music fans. It never really done anything in America and I think the only place it done well was the UK.
Richie would later sack Dio as he refused to write pop songs. Rainbow did do well after this but not musically in my eyes. Dio then went on to sing and write in Black Sabbath and have Platinum and gold albums in America and was regarded as one of the best metal vocalists ever.
I think this album is overlooked is due to the metal movement in the late 70s and early 80s when bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon and Motorhead would be louder and faster. And the fans would then regard keyboards and orchestras as pop music.
When Dio died of cancer many people of the rock and metal world paid tribute to him and his voice and for me this is the best example of what he can do.
You can get Rising on a great remastered 2CD from Amazon but for me get the Back on Black reissue Vinyl as it really shows how great music can be on the old faithful LP.
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