As requested, more classic RAINBOW in high quality to complete the collection. In this case, we have in exclusive the just released 2023 “Rising [Deluxe Edition Extra Tracks / emastered]”, a terrific expanded edition of Rainbow’s second LP.
Here you have not 1, not 2, but 3 versions of these songs. On Disc I we find the ‘New York Mix’ (original LP release), as well as the “Los Angeles Mix” (original CD release).
On Disc II the album is presented on its ‘Rough Mix’ (plus a tour rehearsal version of the quintessential Rainbow song, “Stargazer”). This one is especially interesting because a lot of these song versions run slightly longer than the original album versions. Therefore, you will hear some valuable performance stuff that you haven’t heard before.
The liner notes don’t go into detail here, but the original LP and CD versions of ”Rising” had different mixes, and now they’re both here in one place. The differences are subtle, but those intimate with the album will recognize slightly different keyboard, vocal, and guitar parts.
Lastly there is a tour rehearsal version of “Stargazer” from Pirate Sound, where Deep Purple rehearsed Come Taste the Band. It is surprisingly lo-fi considering where it was recorded. It sounds like somebody taped it on a hand held cassette deck. Not very listenable unfortunately, and kind of baffling why something this lo-fi would have been included at all. You can barely hear Dio at all at some points.
Still, there was room for it and why waste plastic, right?
Ritchie Blackmore and his hired guns hammered home a classic with this epic release. He is in full control and brilliantly implements his ideas of epic hard rock. Ronnie James Dio, who got into the band as a nobody, set a monument for himself with this album and was a singing god afterwards.
This album itself is probably Rainbow’s best. The renowned Martin Popoff ranked Down to Earth higher, but he did rank Rising highest of the Dio-era.
We think five of these six songs are incredible. The only one I’m not especially fond of is “Do You Close Your Eyes”, which I just find doesn’t fit the overall darker direction of the album. It would have sounded better on the first LP… but heck, this is Rainbow/Dio, and as standalone track is fantastic.
“Tarot Woman”, the album opener, is one of the most incredible songs Dio’s ever done. It’s absolutely a highlight of his storied career. Cozy’s drum pounding is monumental throughout. “Light In The Black” is just furious jamming throughout. Incredible playing.
And of course “Stargazer” is purely epic. The lyrics are cool and the keyboards just take the whole thing to another level. If I could only play one Rainbow song for the rest of my life, it would be “Stargazer”.
The liner notes don’t the mention any sources or history about the three different mixes at all. There is, however, a great interview with keyboardist Tony Carey, supplemented by an old one with Cozy Powell. The packaging, including cover art from Ken Kelly (KISS ‘Destroyer’) looks amazing in digipak form.
A MUST
Disc I
01 – Tarot Woman (New York Mix)
02 – Run With The Wolf (New York Mix)
03 – Starstruck (New York Mix)
04 – Do You Close Your Eyes (New York Mix)
05 – Stargazer (New York Mix)
06 – A Light In The Black (New York Mix)
07 – Tarot Woman (Los Angeles Mix)
08 – Run With The Wolf (Los Angeles Mix)
09 – Starstruck (Los Angeles Mix)
10 – Do You Close Your Eyes (Los Angeles Mix)
11 – Stargazer (Los Angeles Mix)
12 – A Light In The Black (Los Angeles Mix)
Disc II
01 – Tarot Woman (Rough Mix)
02 – Run With The Wolf (Rough Mix)
03 – Starstruck (Rough Mix)
04 – Do You Close Your Eyes (Rough Mix)
05 – Stargazer (Rough Mix)
06 – A Light In The Black (Rough Mix)
07 – Stargazer (Pirate Sound Tour Rehearsal)
Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
Tony Carey – keyboards
Jimmy Bain – bass
Cozy Powell – drums
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra – strings, horns