Some day ago we featured an exceptional reissue of Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW first album, and a fellow reader of this website asked for other classic LP’s from the band. In the case on “Down To Earth”, none sounds as good as this Japanese mini LP replica pressed on SHM-CD.
Sure, there’s the Deluxe Edition including as bonus rough mixes, instrumental demos, etc… and while it uses the same remaster, the sound quality of the main album isn’t the same. This Japanese SHM-CD release is just the album in its sonic glory, and that’s all we need.
For many, “Down to Earth” is their favorite Rainbow album. It has everything a good hard rock album requires. Great riffs, stunning solos, thunderous drum beats, quality bass work, amazing keyboards, and a great voice. And of course, includes ‘Since You Been Gone’…
It is 1979. Ronnie James Dio has left Rainbow after 1978’s, “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll,” a fantastic album in the Rainbow catalogue. Ritchie Blackmore spends three days trying to acquire former Purple singer Ian Gillan to enter the fold, but Gillan declines. So after holding auditions, Blackmore pulls in Graham Bonnet to handle lead vocals.
On “Down to Earth” each song is carefully planned out and they all have great things about them. The album opener, “All Night Long” , just kills. Bonnet was told to sing reminiscent of the old Stone’s song, ‘Out of Time’. However, he adds his own style to the track and pounds out every word with passion. Ritchie Blackmore turns out a fantastic solo and the guitar work for the rest of the song, though tuned down a bit, is incredible.
“Eyes of the World,” is next and for fans of the Ronnie James Dio era of the group, it will most defiantly give them something to love about this album. Blackmore turns in an awesome solo, as does keyboard player Don Airey. Musically, this is one of Rainbow’s pearls of their entire career. Awesome.
“No Time to Lose” is a straightforward hard rock song typical of the late 70s. Blackmore turns in a fantastic riff and his playing holds true throughout the track. The band decides to get a little bluesy on the next track, “Makin’ Love,” which leads to a great song arrangement.
The radio hit, “Since You Been Gone,” is perhaps Rainbow’s most known song, despite being a Russ Ballard cover. Classic.
The band kicks it into high gear again with another bluesy track, “Love’s No Friend of Mine.” Great musical structure with Blackmore turning out some great playing as well as Airey, who is often forgotten about. The keyboard playing on this whole album is absolutely phenomenal.
The band continues its outrage of material on the next track, “Danger Zone.” When I first heard this track, I felt greatly tricked by it. Some of the vocals that I expected that Bonnet would sing in a certain way did not turn out that way. They turn out better! The low octave he uses gives this track a chilling feeling to it and is a straightforward rocker. Blackmore pulls out a great solo and his riff in the song is astonishing. Cozy Powell delivers a monster performance as well as on the final track, “Lost in Hollywood.” Cozy gets a thunderous sound on this track and Blackmore continues to pour out great riffs. Probably one of the best tracks on the album, the solo is terrific and the entire song is deeply rooted in a classical style.
Despite R J Dio albums with Rainbow are untouchable, “Down To Earth” is an absolute contender for best Rainbow album, and that is not something I ever expected to say, nor do I say it lightly. This LP brings the greatness of the earlier, and adds musicality and melodic wide appeal.
Rainbow had Top 10 hits with ‘Since You Been Gone’ and ‘All Night Long’, while ‘Eyes Of The World’ maintained a link to the past works: the best of two worlds.
“Down To Earth” is short and to the point – there really isn’t a bad song on the album. Ritchie Blackmore always played smart, and never more so than with this brilliant reinvention of Rainbow in the late ’70s.
CLASSIC
01 – All Night Long
02 – Eyes Of The World
03 – No Time To Lose
04 – Makin’ Love
05 – Since You Been Gone
06 – Love’s No Friend
07 – Danger Zone
08 – Lost In Hollywood
Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
Cozy Powell – drums
Roger Glover – bass, producer
Don Airey – keyboards
Graham Bonnet – vocals