RAINBOW “Straight Between The Eyes” /LP/

Second official DVD from the legendary British Hard Rock band.
At last...the wait is over for Rock fans everywhere, and especially Rainbow fans. The definitive Rainbow line-up of Blackmore-Dio-Powell captured live in concert in '77!
This DVD represents the zenith of Ritchie Blackmore's competence and range. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar playing steals the show. "Mistreated" and "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" are Blackmore masterpieces, displaying his power, velocity and sensitivity. Ritchie just proves what a great guitar maestro he is, and coupled with the powerful vocals of Dio, and the hard-hitting drum work of Powell, this makes for a superb musical experience.
Ronnie James Dio is as committed as ever and a reminder of the potential that lay in a Blackmore/Dio writing partnership. Having two combustible egos sharing the stage it's cause an implosion!
Bob Daisley and David Stone also contribute in a major way to what must be one of the greatest Hard Rock band ever!
This DVD represents the long awaited release of a concert that was filmed for a European TV broadcast in the seventies. The footage captures the band at their raw best, featuring many of the early Rainbow classics.
Catch the Rainbow!!
Special features include interviews with Colin Heart and Bob Daisley, as well as a photo gallery and a slide show with audio commentary!
Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2006.

Tracklist:
1. Introduction
2. Kill The King
3. Mistreated
4. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
5. Catch The Rainbow
6. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
7. Man On The Silver Mountain
8. Still I'm Sad
9. Do You Close Your Eyes
Bonus Features:
10. Promo Videos
11. Colin Hart Interview
12. Bob Daisley Interview
13. Photogallery
14. Slide Show With Audio Commentary

Second official compilation album by the legendary British Hard Rock band.
USSR only pressed official compilation album by Rainbow!
Best songs from Rainbow's discography will please every Hard Rock fan!!
Musthave for every hard core fan of Rainbow!!!
Polydor/Melodiya, 1975-1982/1988 (C60 27023 005). Made in uzzr. Used (cover/disc): VG/VG+.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Man On The Silver Mountain 04:40
2. Still I'm Sad 03:54
3. Long Live Rock'n'roll 04:25
4. All Night Long 03:49
5. Stone Cold 05:15

Side B
7. If You Don't Like Rock'n'roll 02:36
8. Stargazer 08:28
9. Freedom Fighter 04:20
10. I Surrender 04:01

Total playing time: 41:28 min.

Remastered re-release of seventh full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
A commercial effort by the band, attempting to repeat the success of the song "Stone Cold" and the album “Straight Between the Eyes”. As a result, some of the songs, like the first single "Street of Dreams", are usually considered to be more in the Album-Oriented Rock style, instead of the Hard Rock sound of earlier Rainbow albums.
The album was particularly aimed at the US market. It was originally released in 1983 as an LP and cassette. The cassette featured several longer edits compared to the vinyl version. A remastered CD reissue was released in May 1999.
Polydor Records, 1983/1999 (547 367-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. Stranded 04:30
2. Can't Let You Go 04:22
3. Fool For The Night 04:04
4. Fire Dance 04:30
5. Anybody There 02:40
6. Desperate Heart 04:36
7. Street Of Dreams 04:26
8. Drinking With The Devil 03:44
9. Snowman 04:33
10. Make Your Move 05:25
Total playing time: 42:50 min.

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The first album to feature Bobby Rondinelli on drums and Joe Lynn Turner on lead vocals (the third and final vocalist), after the departures of Cozy Powell and Graham Bonnetrespectively, following the release of "Down To Earth" album.
The album marked the further commercialization of the band's sound, with Blackmore once describing at the time a liking for the Rock band, Foreigner. It became the band's highest-charting album on the UK Albums Chart, where it peaked at number three. "I Surrender" became the band's highest charting Single in the UK, reaching No. 3.
Allegedly, the album's cover (designed by Hipgnosis) had originally been proposed for use on Black Sabbath's 1978 release "Never Say Die!".
Polydor, 1981/1991 (800 018-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. I Surrender 4:00
2. Spotlight Kid 4:52
3. No Release 5:31
4. Magic 4:05
5. Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal (Maybe the Next Time) 3:16
6. Can't Happen Here 4:56
7. Freedom Fighter 4:19
8. Midtown Tunnel Vision 4:30
9. Difficult To Cure (Beethoven's Ninth) 5:50

Remastered re-release of 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 double LP 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 Records, a Universal Music Company, 1977/1999 (547 362-2). Re-press. Made in EU.


Tracklist:
1. Kill The King 5:31
2. Medley: Man On The Silver Mountain / Blues / Starstruck 11:15
3. Catch The Rainbow 15:36
4. Mistreated (Deep Purple cover) 13:07
5. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 7:37
6. Still I'm Sad (The Yardbirds cover) 11:05
Total playing time: 64:11 min.

Remastered re-release of the fourth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The band’s last album to feature drummer Cozy Powell and their only album with vocalist Graham Bonnet. Released in 1979, it contains Rainbow's first hit single "Since You Been Gone", marking a more commercial direction of the band's sound.
The departure of Ronnie James Dio gave Ritchie Blackmore a chance to reinvent Rainbow, which he does to a certain extent on "Down To Earth". Adding former Deep Purple colleague Roger Glover as bassist and Graham Bonnet as vocalist, Blackmore tones down some of the excess of the Dio years, particularly in terms of fantastical lyrics, and turns to straight-ahead Hard Rock, only occasionally adorned by prominent synthesizers.
In general, their material is fairly solid, and "Since You Been Gone" easily ranks among the band's best songs, but overall the record is a little generic and sounds very much of its time - namely, the late '70s, when Album Rock still ruled the arenas. Nevertheless, Rainbow has a distinct idea, primarily through the guitar artistry and mystical sensibility of Ritchie Blackmore. He sounds invigorated on the album, turning in muscular performances and strong solos on each cut; clearly, the reunion has revitalized him.
Blackmore, Glover, and drummer Cozy Powell turn "Down To Earth" into a fine Hard Rock platter. It might not offer anything unique, but it delivers the goods!
Polydor Records, A Universal Music Company, 1979/1999 (547 364-2). Made in EU.


Tracklist:
1. All Night Long 3:53
2. Eyes Of The World 6:43
3. No Time To Lose 3:45
4. Makin' Love 4:38
5. Since You Been Gone 3:20
6. Love's No Friend 4:55
7. Danger Zone 4:32
8. Lost In Hollywood 4:51
Total playing time: 36:37 min.

First remastered re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
Released in 1978, it's the last album to feature original lead vocalist Ronnie James Dio, on which he went out on a high note.
While the material is not quite as strong as on the previous studio effort, "Rising", "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" maintains the momentum the band had built up.
"Kill the King" had been previously heard on the live "On Stage" record, but here it sounds more fully realized. Also, the title track from the album stands as one of the best songs the band did, not to mention a noble sentiment. The chugging "L.A. Connection" is another highlight.
As with all of their first four albums, this one was produced by Martin Birch, and he really knows how to get the best out of the band by this point. The result is that the songs couldn't sound any better, so even if some of the material isn't quite up to their best, the album is still very cohesive, steady, and, ultimately, satisfying. This would turn out to be the last great album Rainbow would ever make, although they did enjoy a great deal of chart success in the post-Dio era.
Polydor Records, Inc. A Universal Music Company., 1978/1999 (547 363-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. Long Live Rock'n'roll 4:24
2. Lady Of The Lake 3:38
3. L.A. Connection 5:02
4. Gates Of Babylon 6:51
5. Kill The King 4:30
6. Shed (Subtle) 4:47
7. Sensitive To Light 3:07
8. Rainbow Eyes 7:26
Total playing time: 39:45 min.

First remastered re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
On their second release, also known as “Rainbow Rising”, Rainbow not only avoid the sophomore jinx; they hit a home run. After replacing the entire band (except Ronnie James Dio) immediately following the recording of the first album, Ritchie Blackmore and the "Rising" line-up (Blackmore; Dio; Tony Carey - keys; Jimmy Bain - bass; and the late, great Cozy Powell - drums) had plenty of time on the road touring the first album to get the chops and material together for their second.
In particular, "Stargazer" really came together on the 1975 tour and featured stunning keyboard work from Carey. The material is uniformly strong, with "Starstruck" and "A Light in the Black" standing out in particular. Ronnie Dio turns in a great vocal on the stunningly direct (under three minutes!) "Do You Close Your Eyes". All six songs on the album are up there with anything the band has done, before or since. The playing has a very tight, colourful feel to it, which was lacking a bit on the first record. This album can legitimately be mentioned in the same breath as classic Deep Purple!
The album was an instant critical and commercial success upon release, and even half a decade later was being voted the number one Heavy Metal album of all time by the readers of British Kerrang! Magazine, remaining in the genre's fundamental canon unto the present day. After all, in its grooves, Blackmore and Rainbow managed the seemingly impossible feat of infusing Heavy Metal’s monochromatic shades of black with every colour of the Rainbow!
Polydor Records, Inc. A Universal Music Company., 1976/1999 (547 361-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. Tarot Woman 6:04
2. Run With The Wolf 3:43
3. Starstruck 4:08
4. Do You Close Your Eyes 3:02
5. Stargazer 8:32
6. A Light In The Black 8:11
Total playing time: 33:40 min.

Remastered re-release of the debut full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
During studio sessions in Tampa Bay, Florida on 12 December 1974, Blackmore originally planned to record the solo single "Black Sheep of the Family" (a cover of a track by the band Quatermass from 1970) and the newly composed "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves", which was to be the B-side. Other musicians involved included singer/lyricist Ronnie James Dio and drummer Gary Driscoll of Blues Rock band Elf, and cellist Hugh McDowell of ELO. Satisfied with the two tracks, Blackmore decided to extend the sessions to a full album.
The other members of Elf, keyboardist Micky Lee Soule and bassist Craig Gruber, were used for the recording of the album in Musicland Studios in Munich, West Germany during February and March, 1975.
The last track of the album, "Still I'm Sad", is an instrumental cover of a song by The Yardbirds from their 1965 album "Having A Rave Up With The Yardbirds". A version featuring vocals subsequently appeared on Rainbow's live album "On Stage".
Though it was originally planned to be a solo album, the record was billed as "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", and later progressed as a new band project. Blackmore and Dio did promotional work for the album. Despite the title implying the record being a Ritchie Blackmore solo release, in later years Blackmore has jokingly stated that Dio's contributions warranted a re-titling of "Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio's Rainbow".
Shortly after the album was released, all Elf members (except Dio) were sacked and Blackmore recruited new musicians for subsequent Rainbow albums. This first line-up never performed live, and the live photos used in the album art are of Blackmore while with Deep Purple and of Elf playing live.
Vocalist Ronnie James Dio considered this release his favourite Rainbow album.
Polydor Records, A Universal Music Company, 1975/1999 (547 360-2). Made in EU.


Tracklist:
1. Man On The Silver Mountain 4:41
2. Self Portrait 3:16
3. Black Sheep Of The Family (Quatermass cover) 3:22
4. Catch The Rainbow 6:39
5. Snake Charmer 4:32
6. The Temple Of The King 4:44
7. If You Don't Like Rock & Roll 2:37
8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 3:31
9. Still I'm Sad (Yardbirds cover) 3:53
Total playing time: 37:15 min.

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Fourth compilation album by the legendary British Hard Rock/Heavy Metal/AOR band.
"The Best Of Rainbow" compiles 16 of the best tracks from Rainbow's first seven studio albums, wisely avoiding 1977's live "On Stage" release. The first two tracks from their debut album, 1975's "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", showcases the instant bond that was formed between Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio, especially on "Man on the Silver Mountain." Blackmore changed the band for the following year's "Rainbow Rising", with Jimmy Bain replacing bass player Craig Gruber, and Cozy Powell taking percussion duties away from Gary Driscoll. Adding keyboard player Tony Carey helped tracks like "Starstruck" and the lengthy "Stargazer" to sound a little more dimensional and fluent than the band's first effort. All of 1978's "Long Live Rock and Roll" have Rainbow settling in to a heavier sound with faster guitar riffs, proven on the frantic "Kill the King" and on the string accompanied "Gates of Babylon." With Dio leaving in 1978, Graham Bonnet filled in on vocals for "Down To Earth", with Roger Glover playing bass. Although the album gave the band a number 40 hit with "Since You've Been Gone," one of Russ Ballard's creations, Bonnet left thereafter and was replaced by Joe Lynn Turner for the "Difficult To Cure" album. The album sold on the strength of "I Surrender," one of their best tracks, but the remaining tunes marked the beginning of Rainbow's recession. "Jealous Lover," the B-side to 1981's "Can't Happen Here" is a nice addition to the collection, while the next four tracks from Rainbow's most disappointing releases are best heard here than on their parent albums. For a hits package, "The Very Best Of Rainbow" doubles as both a handy sift through the band's changing lineup and as a good place to start for those who are inquisitive!
The front cover comes from the inside of the first Rainbow album, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", and is actually a picture of Ritchie Blackmore playing with his previous band, Deep Purple.
PolyGram Records, Inc., 1997 (537 687-2). Made in Germany.


Tracklist:
1. Man On The Silver Mountain     4:37 
2. Catch The Rainbow     6:38 
3. Starstruck     4:06 
4. Stargazer     8:26 
5. Kill The King     4:28 
6. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll     4:23 
7. Gates Of Babylon     6:46 
8. Since You Been Gone     3:17 
9. All Night Long     3:50 
10. I Surrender     4:01 
11. Can't Happen Here     4:57 
12. Jealous Lover     3:11 
13. Stone Cold     5:17 
14. Power     4:26 
15. Can't Let You Go     4:20 
16. Street Of Dreams     4:26
Total playing time: 77:09

Tracks 1,2: from “Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow” (1975)
Tracks 3,4: from “Rainbow Rising” (1976)
Tracks 5,6,7: from “Long Live Rock 'n' Roll” (1978)
Tracks 8,9: from “Down To Earth” (1979)
Tracks 10,11: from “Difficult To Cure” (1981)
Track 12: B-side of “Can't Happen Here” (1981)
Tracks 13,14: from “Straight Between The Eyes” (1982)
Tracks 15,16: from “Band Out Of Shape” (1983)

Remastered re-release of the sixth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The record is an unexpected return to form from the journeyman Hard Rockers. Just a record before, Rainbow sounded as if they were verging on Billy Squier territory, but here, they reverse course and deliver a solid, no-frills Hard Rock record. It isn't just that the material is stronger, though it certainly is, it's that Roger Glover abandoned his smoothed-out, radio-ready production that marred "Difficult To Cure". The band line-up was the same as had recorded the previous "Difficult To Cure" album, with the exception of David Rosenthal, who replaced Don Airey on keyboards.
Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner sounds more comfortable with the group, and the entire band just seems to gel, turning even the generic numbers on the album into enjoyable, straight-ahead Hard Rock. There may not be any specific showcases for Ritchie Blackmore, but his playing is better heard in this setting, where he's not only soloing, he's propelling the band with his powerful riffs. As always, he's the driving force behind the band, but this is truly a band effort, which is one of the reasons why "Straight Between The Eyes" is one of the strongest albums the group ever cut!
In 2022, "Straight Between The Eyes" was named #5 of "The 25 greatest Rock guitar albums of 1982" list in Guitar World Magazine.
Polydor Records. A Universal Music Company, 1983/1999/2017 (547 366-2). Made in the E.U. Re-press.


Tracklist:
1. Death Alley Driver 4:45
2. Stone Cold 5:19
3. Bring On The Night (Dream Chaser) 4:08
4. Tite Squeeze 3:15
5. Tearin' Out My Heart 4:05
6. Power 4:27
7. Miss Mistreated 4:30
8. Rock Forever 3:52
9. Eyes Of Fire 6:39
Total playing time: 41:00 min.

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The first album to feature Bobby Rondinelli on drums and Joe Lynn Turner on lead vocals (the third and final vocalist), after the departures of Cozy Powell and Graham Bonnetrespectively, following the release of "Down To Earth" album.
The album marked the further commercialization of the band's sound, with Blackmore once describing at the time a liking for the Rock band, Foreigner. It became the band's highest-charting album on the UK Albums Chart, where it peaked at number three. "I Surrender" became the band's highest charting Single in the UK, reaching No. 3.
Allegedly, the album's cover (designed by Hipgnosis) had originally been proposed for use on Black Sabbath's 1978 release "Never Say Die!".
Polydor, 1981 (2391 506). Made in Germany. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): EX-/NM-.


Tracklist:
1. I Surrender 4:00
2. Spotlight Kid 4:52
3. No Release 5:31
4. Magic 4:05
5. Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal (Maybe the Next Time) 3:16
6. Can't Happen Here 4:56
7. Freedom Fighter 4:19
8. Midtown Tunnel Vision 4:30
9. Difficult To Cure (Beethoven's Ninth) 5:50

The second full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
On their second release, also known as “Rainbow Rising”, Rainbow not only avoid the sophomore jinx; they hit a home run. After replacing the entire band (except Ronnie James Dio) immediately following the recording of the first album, Ritchie Blackmore and the "Rising" line-up (Blackmore; Dio; Tony Carey - keys; Jimmy Bain - bass; and the late, great Cozy Powell - drums) had plenty of time on the road touring the first album to get the chops and material together for their second.
In particular, "Stargazer" really came together on the 1975 tour and featured stunning keyboard work from Carey. The material is uniformly strong, with "Starstruck" and "A Light in the Black" standing out in particular. Ronnie Dio turns in a great vocal on the stunningly direct (under three minutes!) "Do You Close Your Eyes". All six songs on the album are up there with anything the band has done, before or since. The playing has a very tight, colourful feel to it, which was lacking a bit on the first record. This album can legitimately be mentioned in the same breath as classic Deep Purple!
The album was an instant critical and commercial success upon release, and even half a decade later was being voted the number one Heavy Metal album of all time by the readers of British Kerrang! Magazine, remaining in the genre's fundamental canon unto the present day. After all, in its grooves, Blackmore and Rainbow managed the seemingly impossible feat of infusing Heavy Metal’s monochromatic shades of black with every colour of the Rainbow!
Unofficial release, 1976 (2929098). Made in ruzzia. Used (cover/disc): NM-/NM-.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Tarot Woman 6:04
2. Run With The Wolf 3:43
3. Starstruck 4:08
4. Do You Close Your Eyes 3:02

Side Two
5. Stargazer 8:32
6. A Light In The Black 8:11

Total playing time: 33:40 min.

The fourth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The band’s last album to feature drummer Cozy Powell and their only album with vocalist Graham Bonnet. Released in 1979, it contains Rainbow's first hit single "Since You Been Gone", marking a more commercial direction of the band's sound.
The departure of Ronnie James Dio gave Ritchie Blackmore a chance to reinvent Rainbow, which he does to a certain extent on "Down To Earth". Adding former Deep Purple colleague Roger Glover as bassist and Graham Bonnet as vocalist, Blackmore tones down some of the excess of the Dio years, particularly in terms of fantastical lyrics, and turns to straight-ahead Hard Rock, only occasionally adorned by prominent synthesizers.
In general, their material is fairly solid, and "Since You Been Gone" easily ranks among the band's best songs, but overall the record is a little generic and sounds very much of its time - namely, the late '70s, when Album Rock still ruled the arenas. Nevertheless, Rainbow has a distinct idea, primarily through the guitar artistry and mystical sensibility of Ritchie Blackmore. He sounds invigorated on the album, turning in muscular performances and strong solos on each cut; clearly, the reunion has revitalized him.
Blackmore, Glover, and drummer Cozy Powell turn "Down To Earth" into a fine Hard Rock platter. It might not offer anything unique, but it delivers the goods!
Polydor Incorporated, 1979 (PD-1-6221 (2391 410)). Made in the USA. First press. Used (cover/disc): VG/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. All Night Long 3:49
2. Eyes Of The World 6:36
3. No Time To Lose 3:41
4. Makin' Love 4:36

Side 2
5. Since You Been Gone (Russ Ballard cover) 3:10
6. Love's No Friend 4:52
7. Danger Zone 4:30
8. Lost In Hollywood 4:51
Total playing time: 36:05 min.

The sixth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
The record is an unexpected return to form from the journeyman Hard Rockers. Just a record before, Rainbow sounded as if they were verging on Billy Squier territory, but here, they reverse course and deliver a solid, no-frills Hard Rock record. It isn't just that the material is stronger, though it certainly is, it's that Roger Glover abandoned his smoothed-out, radio-ready production that marred "Difficult To Cure". The band line-up was the same as had recorded the previous "Difficult To Cure" album, with the exception of David Rosenthal, who replaced Don Airey on keyboards.
Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner sounds more comfortable with the group, and the entire band just seems to gel, turning even the generic numbers on the album into enjoyable, straight-ahead Hard Rock. There may not be any specific showcases for Ritchie Blackmore, but his playing is better heard in this setting, where he's not only soloing, he's propelling the band with his powerful riffs. As always, he's the driving force behind the band, but this is truly a band effort, which is one of the reasons why "Straight Between The Eyes" is one of the strongest albums the group ever cut!
In 2022, "Straight Between The Eyes" was named #5 of "The 25 greatest Rock guitar albums of 1982" list in Guitar World Magazine.
PolyGram Records, Inc., 1982 (422-825 387-1-M (SRMI-4041)). Made in USA. Second press. Insert. Used (cover/disc): EX+/NM-.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Death Alley Driver 4:36
2. Stone Cold 5:15
3. Bring On The Night (Dream Chaser) 4:02
4. Tite Squeeze 3:15
5. Tearin' Out My Heart 4:00

Side 2
1. Power 4:23
2. Miss Mistreated 4:25
3. Rock Forever 3:40
4. Eyes Of Fire 6:41

Total playing time: 41:00 min.