RAINBOW “On Stage” /2LP; Live/

The first live album by legendary British Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band.
Breaking with '70s Heavy Metal tradition by releasing a live album after only two studio efforts (you're supposed to have three before the live one), Rainbow served up this double platter in 1977. It was recorded live over several German and Japanese dates in late 1976, during the Rising World Tour.
"On Stage" is full of great songs and playing, it's one of the best live albums ever recorded. The production is very good. Produced by Martin Birch, who was responsible for much of Iron Maiden's production.
Going without saying, one should be sure going into this, that there's gonna be a lot of ingenious guitar licks being composed, adding a lot of life to tracks like "Catch the Rainbow" and "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves". Those tracks in particular are both on the slower side in comparison to many on the debut, but have an excellent delivery when performed live. Dio's untouched live vocal performance crossed with the unstoppable Ritchie Blackmore showcase some of the greatest moments in "live record" history. The help of Jimmy Bain on bass and Cozy Powell on drums, although less famous at the time, assist driving home and backing many of Blackmore's tangents. This would set the stage for what we should expect from those musicians on future releases.
The covers performed on here are pretty great; while "Mistreated" may seem redundant due to being taken from Blackmore's previous band, it's a nice touch hearing Dio sing it instead. Toney Carey on the keyboards obviously isn't too different from Jon Lord, but still pretty great. "Still I'm Sad" stands out as a unique one here, as it was originally just an instrumental cover on the studio album. But on this, we are given vocals and more intensity, in turn churning out a track that has more suspense, and you can't really hear it anywhere else...
Great release, with some unique output that you won't hear anywhere else!
Polydor/Oyster/Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, 1977 (2675 142). Made in Germany. First press. 2x OIS. Used (cover/disc1/disc2): EX+/EX+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Disc 1
Side One
Intro: Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland cover) 0:31
1. Kill the King 4:59
2. Medley 12:40
Man on the Silver Mountain 4:10
Blues 4:00
Starstruck 1:55
Blues 1:20
Man on the Silver Mountain 0:45
Total time 16:50

Side Two
1. Catch the Rainbow 15:40
Total time 15:40


Disc 2
Side Three
1. Mistreated (Deep Purple cover) 13:04
Total time 13:04

Side Four
1. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 7:35
2. Still I'm Sad (The Yardbirds cover) 11:05
Total time 18:40 min.

Total playing time: 64:00 min.