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The Rainbow Albums
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	Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] by Rainbow Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $3.99 1975 - One of the finest debuts in rock history! Just listen to the awesome tunes contained within like "Self Portrait", "Man On The Silver Mountain", "Temple Of The King", and "16th Century Greensleves"! There's a notable Hendrix influence on the ballad "Catch The Rainbow". Try to pay attention to Gruber's bass and Lee Soule's clavinet playing. Driscoll's drumming stands out in "Still I'm Sad".
	Rising by Rainbow Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $4.90 1976 - A very powerful follow-up with new bass player Jimmy Bain. An atmospheric keyboard intro from Tony Carey opens the first song "Tarot Woman". Powell's drums sound fantastic here while Blackmore plays some excellent solos in the epic songs "Stargazer" and "A Light In The Black". "Do You Close Your Eyes" is a short melodic rocker with great vocals from Dio.
	On Stage by Rainbow Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.95 1977 - An incredible live album recorded on the band's '76 world tour! Their version of the Deep Purple classic "Mistreated" sounds better than ever! Also notice that "Still I'm Sad" has vocals added by Dio as they were in the original version by the Yardbirds. Blackmore plays a cool extended solo in "Catch The Rainbow" and adds a blues section in the middle of "Man On The Silver Mountain".
	Live in Munich 1977 by Rainbow Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $7.68 1977 - Cool live album featuring the "Long Live Rock N' Roll" line up and recorded in Germany on October '77. Great versions of "Mistreated" and "16th Century Greensleves" here! Keyboard player Stone stands out too, adding his distinctive choir-ahh sound effect during "Catch The Rainbow" and this excellent 25-minute version of "Still I'm Sad"!
	Long Live Rock 'n' Roll by Rainbow Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.53 1978 - Final album with Dio but one of their best! "Rainbow Eyes" is a great ballad but there's plenty of hard rock too like "The Shed (Subtle)", "Lady Of The Lake" and "LA Connection". Blackmore plays one of his best solos ever in "Gates Of Babylon"! Also, don't overlook the early speed metal number "Kill The King" featuring great bass playing from Daisley. (Check out Liege Lord's version).
	Down to Earth by Rainbow Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.99 1979 - First and only album with Bonnet on vocals while ex-Colosseum II member Don Airey joined on keyboards. The band goes for a more AOR sound. Highlights include "Love's No Friend", "Eyes Of The World", "Lost In Hollywood" and "Since You Been Gone". Glover's debut on bass and production. Too bad this turned out to be Powell's last!
	Difficult to Cure by Rainbow Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.06 1981 - The debut of Joe Lynn Turner and Bobby Rondinelli on the mic and drum kit respectively! Includes the band's version of Beethoven's ninth symphony plus stellar songwriting as evidenced by "Magic", "Freedom Fighter", and the fast-paced "Spotlight Kid". Airey's keyboard work really stands out on this album! "I Surrender" was the band's biggest radio hit ever, reaching #3 in the UK.
	Straight Between the Eyes by Rainbow Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.52 1982 - Continues where the previous one left off opening with the fast rocker "Death Alley Driver" where new keyboard member David Rosenthal plays a cool synth solo. "Stone Cold" became a minor radio hit while "Eyes Of Fire" displays an eastern influence. "Power" has a cool riff. Last album with Rondinelli on drums.
	Bent Out of Shape by Rainbow Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $0.98 1983 - Unfortunately, this turned out to be their last studio album for quite a while, but it's one of my favorites! The songwriting is really catchy, just listen to "Can't Let You Go" ,"Street Of Dreams", and "Desperate Heart"! Two amazing instrumentals are included: "Anybody There" and "Snow Man". Keyboard player Rosenthal is in fine form throughout. The drummer this time was Chuck Bürgi.
	Finyl Vinyl by Rainbow Buy used from: $4.99 1986 - A live compilation featuring many (not all) of the group's different line-ups! "Difficult To Cure", "I Surrender", "Since You Been Gone", and "MISS Mistreated" stand out, but there's more!....three previously unreleased studio songs: "Jealous Lover", "Bad Girl", and the instrumental "Weiss Heim".
	Stranger in Us All by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $5.99 1995 - Great come back effort that effectively mixes the Dio and Bonnet/Turner eras! Although only Blackmore remains from the previous line-ups. Favorites include "Wolf To The Moon", "Black Masquerade", "Hall Of The Mountain King", and "Too Late For Tears". The remake of "Still I'm Sad" sounds fantastic too! New singer Doogie White emerges with a very powerful and melodic style.