RAINBOW – The Singles Box Set 1975-1986 [remastered] (2014)

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In the tradition of similar boxes for Deep Purple and Dio, Universal Records has released a 19CD box set replicating the singles offering by hard rock outfit RAINBOW, entitled “The Singles Box Set 1975-1986”.

Formed toward the end of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s tenure with Deep Purple in 1975, Rainbow was a meticulously-coordinated rock band, inspired by the chord progression of classical music. Adding greatly to the mix was the versatile vocalizations of lead singer Ronnie James Dio (whose previous band Elf was the backbone of the first Rainbow album).
The lineup changed mightily over the years, most notably with Dio’s departure in 1978 and Blackmore’s decision to move the band toward a more mainstream, melodic hard rock sound. The group’s journey ended in 1984 when Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple, though he would use the name again in the mid-Nineties with all-new members.

This collection covers the entire Rainbow lifespan and give equal measure to the three Rainbow frontman, Dio, Bonnett and Turner. Each singer takes Rainbow in a different direction and Blackmore plays all these variations with ease, from the Fantasy inspired era of the late great Dio, the hard rock kick Bonnet years and then finally the more commercial sounding Turner era.
Each one of these incarnations has delivered some cracking albums and the singles really just picked themselves.

“The Singles Box Set 1975-1986” is definitely a collectible package raising the bar for this type of releases, featuring no fewer than 19 compact discs, all in repro original LP sleeves.
If you’re thinking that seems a lot, you’d be right as they’ve doubled up the set to include numerous non UK releases as well, including singles from the Netherlands, USA, Germany and Japan.
All is housed in a splendid rigid box with lift-off lid, presenting a full color 32 page booklet featuring detailed annotations on each release, sleeve notes by Rainbow expert Andy Francis, and the whole thing was freshly remastered.

This Limited Collector’s Edition came out excellent, especially very first singles, enhanced on all their dynamics. They sound great, sharp and the remastering delivers a fuller, wider soundscape.
For those who want to marvel at Rainbow’s evolution over a near decade-long period (not to mention the replica single sleeves from different countries), this is the set for you.
Highly Recommended.

CD1 (released as Oyster OYR 103, 1975)
01 Man On The Silver Mountain (7″ Edit) 3:57
02 Snake Charmer 4:28

CD2 (released as Oyster 3C 006 97224 (IT), 1975)
01 Still I’m Sad 3:53
02 The Temple Of The King 4:43

CD3 (released as Polydor 0835 035 (DE), 1977)
01 Man On The Silver Mountain (Album Version) 4:36
02 Snake Charmer 4:28
03 If You Don’t Like Rock N Roll 2:35
04 Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 3:35

CD4 (released as Oyster/Polydor OY 701 (U.S.), 1976)
01 Starstruck 4:06
02 Run With The Wolf 3:48

CD5 (released as Oyster/Polydor 2066 845 (U.K.), 1977)
01 Kill The King (Live / Edit) 4:41
02 Man On The Silver Mountain (Live) 5:08
03 Mistreated (Live / 7″ Edit) 7:15

CD6 (released as Polydor 2066 913 (U.K.), 1978)
01 Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll 4:25
02 Sensitive To Light 3:08

CD7 (released as Polydor 2066 968 (U.K.), 1978)
01 L.A. Connection (7″ Edit) 3:41
02 Lady Of The Lake 3:38

CD8 (released as Polydor POSP 70 (U.K.), 1979)
01 Since You Been Gone (Album Version) 3:16
02 Bad Girl 4:48

CD9 (released as Polydor 2095 104 (DE), 1979)
01 Since You Been Gone (Album Version) 3:16
02 No Time To Lose 3:41

CD10 (released as Polydor POSP 104 (U.K.), 1980)
01 All Night Long (Album Version) 3:49
02 Weiss Heim 5:10

CD11 (released as Polydor POSP 221 (U.K.), 1981)
01 I Surrender 3:22
02 Vielleicht Das Nachster Mal 3:20

CD12 (released as Polydor 12″ 2141 373 (NL), 1981)
01 Difficult To Cure 5:55
02 Can’t Happen Here (7″ Edit) 4:05
03 Jealous Lover 3:09

CD13 (released as Polydor 7DM-0033 (JP), 1981)
01 Magic 4:05
02 Freedom Fighter 4:20

CD14 (released as Polydor POSP 251 (U.K.), 1981)
01 Can’t Happen Here (7″ Edit) 4:05
02 Jealous Lover 3:09

CD15 (released as Polydor POSP 421 (U.K.), 1982)
01 Stone Cold (Album Version) 5:17
02 Rock Fever 3:46

CD16 (released as Polydor 2095 472 (NL), 1982)
01 Death Alley Driver 4:36
02 Tite Squeeze 3:15

CD17 (released as Polydor 12″ POSPX 631 (U.K.), 1983)
01 Street Of Dreams (Album Version) 4:24
02 Anybody There 2:37
03 Power (Live At The Convention Center, San Antonio, Tx) 4:27

CD18 (released as Polydor 12″ POSPX 654 (U.K.), 1983)
01 Can’t Let You Go (7″ Edit) 3:27
02 All Night Long (Live at David’s Hall, Cardiff/1983) 5:24
03 Stranded (Live at St. David’s Hall,Cardiff/1983) 4:16

CD19 (released as Polydor 12″ 883 970-1 (DE), 1986)
01 Bad Girl 4:48
02 Spotlight Kid (Live At The Tokyo Budokan/1984) 6:07
03 Man On The Silver Mountain 8:18

BUY IT !
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