RAINBOW – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll [Deluxe Edition Japan SHM-CD] Out Of Print

“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, and truly deserved a Deluxe Edition with extra material. This Japanese Edition on SHM-CD sounds fantastic, and as it was requested by one of you and used copies are above $100 on eBay, here it is.

After this album, Ronnie James 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” remains as more a 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 kick ass number featuring haunting background vocals, and still sound fresh today, even more with this pristine remaster.

“L.A. Connection” has great keyboard tinglings from David Stone and ‘that’ atmosphere, then “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 2-CD Edition features a whole CD of bonus material with the album in a Rough Mix form as well as rehearsals and outtakes.
The main album remastered 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.
This Japanese SHM-CD pressing is fantastic.
A Classic

Universal Japan ~ UICY-75463/4 【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】
Ｒ Ａ Ｉ Ｎ Ｂ Ｏ Ｗ 『 バビロンの城門 』

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 material
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, alt. vocals)
11 – L.A. Connection (Live 1978, alt. vocals)
12 – Gates of Babylon (Live 1978, alt. vocals)
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

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-75463
.