Search - Rainbow :: Rainbow Rising (Shm-CD)

Fellow Stargazers...

Robert J. Schneider | Tacoma, WA USA | 04/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is THE definitive Rainbow record! After the first album, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" was released, Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio chucked Dio's former Elf bandmates and replaced them with Tony Carey on keyboards, Jimmy Bain on bass guitar, and Cozy Powell on drums. This lineup fit together perfectly, and brought out the true mystical aura of Rainbow better than any of the other lineups. The front cover couldn't say it any better: Rainbow is powerful, progressive yet rooted in ancient lore, dark and mystical but also full of light and hope. If Rainbow's music on "Rising" could be summed up in a picture, then this would be the visual representation of their music.It's amazing; this album only has six songs on it, and totals only about 34 minutes. But Rainbow's "Rising" is far more than the sum of its parts. It conjures up such mystery, imagination, and wonder that it goes way beyond its songs to create such a beautiful panorama of images for the mind to enjoy.The album opens with one of the greatest and most memorable keyboard intros in the history of rock and roll, for the powerful song "Tarot Woman." When Tony Carey did this back then, he probably didn't know that this would cement him in R'N'R history as one of the most dynamic, three-dimensional keyboard players ever. But it did, and this keyboard intro is his proudest moment on the album. When the bass and drums kick in, they pack a wallop similar to a train crashing through a brick wall. This CD is a sonic boom of epic proportions."Run With The Wolf" and "Starstruck" also pack a major punch, with Ronnie James Dio's powerful voice seeming to float on top of the music. It is an instrument all it's own. Not bad for a former barroom bluesman who got his career started as the founding member of "Ronnie and The Rumblers" way back in the late 50's (I wonder if I can get a collection of their songs, I'd love to hear what Ronnie sounded like back then...imagine that, eh?)Although "Do You Close Your Eyes" is short and fairly disposable (I'm sorry, but it is the only song that just doesn't seem to fit here; I think it would have been better off on the first album, quite frankly), it is followed by what is my favorite song on the album, the magical epic "Stargazer." This song never fails to give me chills, especially when I am listening to it in the dark (this is one of those albums that are best heard in the dark). To me, this really is the centerpiece of the album, as it has Ronnie singing, "I see a rainbow rising!", and it features such an unbeatable combination of atmospheric keyboards and orchestra, slicing guitar work, and thunderous bass and drums. This is the progressive side of Heavy Metal at its very best.The album then closes with "Light In The Black," which begins as a pretty straight-forward rocker, but soon turns out to be an extended showcase of keyboard and guitar solos, courtesy of Carey and Blackmore, respectively. This is Tony Carey's second proudest moment on the album. Overall, this is Rainbow's proudest moment-- ever."

I see a rainbow rising..........

Mark H. | Hanson, MA USA | 08/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I sit to write a few words about an album that means so much to me I start to shudder a little in anticipation and excitement. "Rising" is quite simply the greatest hard rock record ever! The combination of Powell, Bain, Carey, Dio and Blackmore however short lived produced absolute magic in 1976. Ronnie James Dio never sang or wrote better lyrics and next to "In Rock" this is Ritchie's undisputed masterpiece. "Stargazer",the mystical successor to "Stairway to Heaven", blows Zeppelin and Purple away in its power and ambition. "Light in the Black" helped invent speed metal with its lightning quick dueling leads of Tony Carey (keyboards) and Blackmore. Carey also shines on the intro to "Tarot Woman" as does Cozy Powell on "Stargazer" and "Light". I personally love "Do You Close Your Eyes" as a welcome mood swing contrasting with the evil magic on much of the album. Witches, wizards, slaves and masters all parade through the black night created by Blackmore and co. I believe this was the album Ritchie always wanted to make after "Deep Purple in Rock" but it took him six years to find the right conspirators. Rainbow followed up this monster with "On Stage" then "Long Live Rock n'Roll" (an album which is almost as breathtaking) which proved to be Dio's curtain call with the band. Rainbow could have been the greatest metal band ever but it was never the same after "Rising" and "LLRNR" as Blackmore chose to pursue commercial success over artistic genius. "Rising" is THE gothic metal classic, nothing else comes close."

THE HEAVIEST ALBUM YOU CAN TAKE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION!!!

Dan C. Mercado | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 05/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This absolutely one of the best rock albums of all time for me! This my third copy of the album already. I've got the first copy way back in the late seventies. Played the LP almost every day so it got worn out until it came to a point where I don't like to play it anymore. I bought again the LP in the 80s. When I came to know of Amazon.com I bought it also in CD.

Songs like Stargazer, A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman and Do You Close Your Eyes are some of my favorites rock songs of all time too.

Listen to Ritchie Blackmore, RJD, Jimmy Bain, Tony Carey and Cozy Powell on this album! This is a master piece in rock!

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