RAINBOW – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll [Deluxe Edition] (2012)

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“Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” is one of the greatest hard rock albums ever released by a British band.
This classic was the final Ronnie James Dio-fronted recording by RAINBOW. Dio would go on to front Black Sabbath, while guitarist Richie Blackmore hired a new singer in Graham Bonnet.
But “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a more than brilliant swan song for this excellent Rainbow line-up.

The title track is a fan favorite and one of the strongest tunes from this era — a heavy rockin’ cracker written for arenas. “Lady of the Lake” is a solid number featuring haunting background vocals. “L.A. Connection” has great keyboard tinglings from David Stone and ‘that’ atmosphere.
“Gates of Babylon” is a mammoth track featuring the Bavarian String Ensemble, as synthesizer and strings combine for a symphonic big-rock sound. Another standout is “Kill the King,” a speedy, full force tune with Mr. Blackmore doing what he does best.
Blackmore opens the thunderous “The Shed (Subtle)” with a fluid, effects-laden bluesy solo, and then the album ends with the jewel “Rainbow Eyes”, a seven-minute epic that features a string quartet, flute, and Dio’s euphonic balladry.

This digitally remastered and expanded Deluxe two CD edition features a whole CD of bonus material with the album in demo form as well as rehearsals and outtakes.
The main album has a more top-end clarity, while the bonus CD of previously unheard material is really good. The rough mix of “Rainbow Eyes” alone worth the purchase of this pack. This version, without the overdubs it’s very ‘alone’ and poignant sounding which has extra significance with the passing of Ronnie James Dio.

On other rough mixes you find noticeable differences in the intro on “Lady of the Lake” and more perceptible bass lines on “Kill the King” in example.
Packaging is very good as usual in these Deluxe Editions, with extensive liner notes about the recording and all lyrics.
A Classic.

CD 1: Original album Remastered

01 – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll

02 – Lady of the Lake

03 – L.A. Connection

04 – Gates of Babylon

05 – Kill the King

06 – The Shed (Subtle)

07 – Sensitive to Light

08 – Rainbow Eyes

CD 2: Previously unreleased

01 – Lady of the Lake (Rough Mix)

02 – Sensitive to Light (Rough Mix)

03 – L.A. Connection (Rough Mix)

04 – Kill the King (Rough Mix)

05 – The Shed (Subtle) (Rough Mix)

06 – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (Rough Mix)

07 – Rainbow Eyes (Rough Mix)

08 – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (Take 1) (Rehearsal 1977)

09 – Kill the King (Rehearsal 1977)

10 – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll (Live 1978)

11 – L.A. Connection (Live 1978)

12 – Gates of Babylon (Live 1978)

13 – L.A. Connection (Outtake Version)

14 – Gates of Babylon (Outtake Version)

Ritchie Blackmore: guitars, bass

Ronnie James Dio: vocals

Cozy Powell: drums, percussion

Bob Daisley: bass

David Stone: keyboards

The Bavarian String Ensemble

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