Long Live Rock 'N' Roll Picture Disc To Be Made Available For Record Store Day



For this year's Record Store Day (April 21), Niji Entertainment Group, the record label Wendy Dio and her late husband Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, RAINBOW, ELF) formed before his untimely passing, will release a deluxe picture disc of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll". Each picture disc is numbered and only 2,500 were made. 250 units will be held back for fans that live outside the USA and will be made available via the Niji webstore.

About Record Store Day: Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance Of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition Of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale.

Record Store Day takes place annually on the third Saturday of April.

[source: Blabbermouth]





Rainbow Rising: The Story of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow Back in Print



The book "Rainbow Rising: The Story of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" by athor Roy Davies is now back in print and (on this moment) only available through Helter Skelter Publishing. Read a review here.

Guitar legend Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form Rainbow. Hit albums like Rising and Long Live Rock'n'Roll, singles like 'All Night Long' and 'Since You've Been Gone', and legendary live shows put them at the top of rock's premier league while Blackmore's legendary bad temper helped maintain a high press profile. Rainbow Rising will appeal to fans of Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath and hard rock in general, as well as the legions of fans of virtuoso guitar playing. Price: £14.99. You can order it here.

[source: Helter Skelter Publishing]





Rainbow's "Bent Out Of Shape" 180 grams Green Vinyl Re-Issue



Just For Kicks Records in Germany has released in 2010 most of the Rainbow 70's/80's releases on 180 grams vinyls. They started with the 2LP version of "Live in Munich". Followed later that year by "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", "Rising", "On Stage" (2LP), "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll", "Down To Earth", "Difficult To Cure", "Straight Between The Eyes" and "Final Vinyl" (2LP). So far only "Bent Out Of Shape" was missing (not counting the 1995 release "Stranger In Us All").

But Just For Kicks Records now has revealed a release date for the "Bent Out Of Shape" 180 grams Vinyl Re-Issue and this will be pressed on Green Vinyl. The album will be released on April 18, 2011.

"Bent Out Of Shape" was the seventh and last studio album released by Rainbow before Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover took part in the Deep Purple reformation. It was originally released in 1983 as an LP and cassette. This album is generally referred to in reviews as a commercial effort by the band, attempting to repeat the success of the song Stone Cold" and the album Straight Between the Eyes. As a result, some of the songs, like the first single released from this album, "Street of Dreams", are usually considered to be more in the album-oriented rock style, instead of the hard rock sound of earlier Rainbow albums.

SIDE A
1. Stranded (4:30) 2. Can’t Let You Go (4:22) 3. Fool For The Night (4:05) 4. Fire Dance (4:31) 5. Anybody There (2:41)

SIDE B
6. Desperate Heart (4:37) 7. Street Of Dreams (4:27) 8. Drinking With The Devil (3:45) 9. Snowman (4:33) 10. Make Your Move (5:25)

[thanks to: Wolfgang Falkenstein]

Update:

Apparently the releases date for the green vinyl issue of 'Bent Out Of Shape' has been pushed back till August 2011.

[thanks to: Frank]

Update:

The green 180 grams vinyl edition has been released. You can order it from Just For Kicks Music at € 19,99.

They also sell 180 grams vinyl limited editions of all the other pre 1984 Rainbow albums as well as Final Vinyl and Live in Munich 1977.

[thanks to: Wolfgang Falkenstein]





Rainbow's "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" Deluxe 2 CD Remaster announced



After the release of the "Down To Earth" and "Rising" Deluxe 2 CD Editions a third Rainbow album is going to follow in this series.

Rainbow's Long Live Rock'n'Roll album is due to get the 2CD Remaster treatment from Universal this Autumn. The first two albums in this series have been well received, so it'll be good if they can keep up the musical standard. More details to be announced.

Update (June 2011):

Further away, it looks as if the next two special edition Rainbow reissues will be Long Live Rock n Roll (previously announced) and the live album from 1976, Rainbow On-Stage. Plans for the bonus disc have been put together and will be announced as soon as we are able.

Update (April 2012):

The Rainbow On Stage two disc edition in the ongoing Rainbow reissue series will include a full remaster of the original album together with a bonus disc of live material from a show in Tokyo on the tour, most of which have not been released officially before. Due July 2012. The other Rainbow albums are also issued in these new deluxe 2CD sets.

[source: DPAS]





Stargazers: Another Documentary DVD Box with the same footage



Another DVD Box with Rainbow documentaries is announced to get released on February 28th.

It's nothing else than a re-packaging of the "Inside Rainbow" DVD's, this time split into 3 discs plus "Rainbow In Their Own Words". Amazon UK is offering this on the moment als pre-order for 15 Pounds, but we've also seen adverts by other shops who ask 50 - 60 quid for it.

The release info says: "He is not paying me anymore, so I can say what I like. Ritchie is the greatest guitarist in the world." Bobby Rondinelli – Rainbow

This is the independent and uncensored guide to the music of Rainbow. Written by Jeff Perkins, this amazing book and DVD collection is the ultimate commemoration of one of the greatest rock bands on the planet. The DVDs feature rare and previously unreleased interviews with Ritchie Blackmore and the late great Ronnie James Dio. The views of the two founders are complemented by new in-depth and totally candid interviews with the key members including Don Airey, Bob Daisley, Bobby Rondinelli, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White. Essential reading and viewing for Rainbow fans of every era.

DVD 1 - Inside Rainbow: Part 1 1975 - 1978
DVD 2 - Inside Rainbow: Part 2 1978 - 1981
DVD 3 - Inside Rainbow: Part 3 1981 - 1997
DVD 4 - Inside Rainbow: Part 4 In Their Own Words





Rainbow's "Down To Earth" Deluxe 2 CD Edition finally out



The long awaited "Down To Earth" Deluxe 2 CD Edition has finally been released in Europe on January 31st, 2011.
It will be out on the 8th of March in the U.S.A.

The tracklist - as previously announced - is:

Disc 1: Original Album

  1. All Night Long (3:52)
  2. Eyes Of The World (6:39)
  3. No Time To Lose (3:42)
  4. Makin’ Love (4:36)
  5. Since You Been Gone (3:17)
  6. Love’s No Friend (4:52)
  7. Danger Zone (4:28)
  8. Lost In Hollywood (4:51)
  9. Bad Girl (7 Inch Single B-Side, POSP 70) (4:50)
10. Weiss Heim (7 Inch Single B-Side, POSP 104) (5:14)


Disc 2: Down To Earth – A Work In Progress (Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks)

  1. All Night Long (Instrumental Outtake) (4:41)
  2. Eyes Of The World (Instrumental Outtake) (6:50)
  3. Spark Don’t Mean A Fire (3:50)
  4. Makin’ Love (Instrumental Outtake) (4:44)
  5. Since You Been Gone (Instrumental Outtake) (4:00)
  6. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me (4:58)
  7. Danger Zone (Instrumental Outtake) (5:29)
  8. Lost In Hollywood (Instrumental Outtake) (4:01)
  9. Bad Girl (Instrumental Outtake) (5:02)
10. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me (Alternative Outtake – Take 2 with mixed down vocal) (5:22)
11. Eyes Of The World (Instrumental Outtake – Take 2) (6:09)
12. All Night Long (Cozy Powell Mix) (3:54)

The announced 2cd Deluxe Version of Rainbow's "Rising" is set to get released on February 28th, 2011 in Europe.





Tracklist revealed for Deluxe "Rainbow Rising" and "Down To Earth" Editions



The tracklists for the long awaited Remastered Deluxe Editions of "Rainbow Rising" and "Down To Earth" are revealed. "Rainbow Rising" contains two mixes of the original album on disc one. Disc two has what are being called 'rough mixes' of the album, and two tracks from the early rehearsals.

"Down To Earth" has the original album with the two 7 Inch Single B-Sides "Bad Girl" and "Weiss Heim". Disc two has 'rough instrumental mixes' plus "Spark Don’t Mean A Fire" (which became later "No Time To Lose") and "Ain't A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me".

The Deluxe Editions are expected to get released late July/early August. CD Japan was giving August 4th as the release date for Japan but it got postponed again. New release date is now October 6th. In Europe they are due to be released on October 25th, 2010.

Update:

It seems that these releases are cancelled in Japan. In Europe they are at least postponed till early next year.
More news when we get it....

The deluxe edition of "Down To Earth" is now mentioned for a late January 2011 release in Europe. Not confirmed though!




Down To Earth

Disc 1: Original Album

  1. All Night Long (3:52)
  2. Eyes Of The World (6:39)
  3. No Time To Lose (3:42)
  4. Makin’ Love (4:36)
  5. Since You Been Gone (3:17)
  6. Love’s No Friend (4:52)
  7. Danger Zone (4:28)
  8. Lost In Hollywood (4:51)
  9. Bad Girl (7 Inch Single B-Side, POSP 70) (4:50)
10. Weiss Heim (7 Inch Single B-Side, POSP 104) (5:14)

Disc 2: Down To Earth – A Work In Progress (Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks)

  1. All Night Long (Instrumental Outtake) (4:41)
  2. Eyes Of The World (Instrumental Outtake) (6:50)
  3. Spark Don’t Mean A Fire (3:50)
  4. Makin’ Love (Instrumental Outtake) (4:44)
  5. Since You Been Gone (Instrumental Outtake) (4:00)
  6. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me (4:58)
  7. Danger Zone (Instrumental Outtake) (5:29)
  8. Lost In Hollywood (Instrumental Outtake) (4:01)
  9. Bad Girl (Instrumental Outtake) (5:02)
10. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me (Alternative Outtake – Take 2 with mixed down vocal) (5:22)
11. Eyes Of The World (Instrumental Outtake – Take 2) (6:09)
12. All Night Long (Cozy Powell Mix) (3:54)

Rainbow Rising

Disc 1: (New York Mix)

1. Tarot Woman (6:05)
2. Run With The Wolf (3:43)
3. Starstruck (4:08)
4. Do You Close Your Eyes (3:00)
5. Stargazer (8:31)
6. A Light In The Black (8:11)

(Los Angeles Mix):

1. Tarot Woman (6:04)
2. Run With The Wolf (3:45)
3. Starstruck (4:04)
4. Do You Close Your Eyes (2:58)
5. Stargazer (8:22)
6. A Light In The Black (8:11)

Disc 2: Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks

1. Tarot Woman (Rough Mix) (6:06)
2. Run With The Wolf (Rough Mix) (3:49)
3. Starstruck (Rough Mix) (4:04)
4. Do You Close Your Eyes (Rough Mix) (3:04)
5. Stargazer (Rough Mix) (9:08)
6. A Light In The Black (Rough Mix) (8:12)
7. Stargazer (Pirate Sound Tour Rehearsal) (11:29)
8. A Light In The Black (Pirate Sound Tour Rehearsal) (9:49)





RAINBOW Albums To Be Reissued On Vinyl by Back on Black Records



Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, has announced that 2010 will see the release of the original classic RAINBOW albums on vinyl. All records will be 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and packaged in deluxe gatefold sleeves. The first 1,000 copies of each title will come in limited-edition colored vinyl.

RAINBOW was an English rock band formed in 1975 by former DEEP PURPLE guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. In addition to Blackmore, the group originally consisted of former ELF members; lead singer Ronnie James Dio (who later joined Black Sabbath), keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, bassist Craig Gruber, and drummer Gary Driscoll. Over the years RAINBOW went through many lineup changes.

RAINBOW was ranked #90 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock."

More info: www.backonblack.com

[Source: Blabbermouth]






Limited 2 LP Vinyl Release of Rainbow's "Live in Munich 1977" out on April 26



Just for Kicks Music in Germany announces a double 180 gram limited edition gatefold vinyl reissue of "Live in Munich 1977".
Releasedate is April 26, 2010.

The concert was recorded in Munich on October 20, 1977, originally filmed to air on the German TV Rockpalast show. Repeated airings have led to numerous bootleg video and audio tapes of the show being available through the 80's and 90's. Although some fans believed that this set came from the same tour as the previously released On Stage (which was mostly culled from their 1976 Japanese tour), the performance on this release is actually from their 1977 European tour, a few months prior to the release of "Long Live Rock n' Roll", and thus features a different bass-player and keyboardist.

Side A
1. Kill The King 2. Mistreated 3. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves (Running Time: 24:03)

Side B
4. Catch The Rainbow 5. Long Live Rock’n’roll (Running Time: 25:04)

Side C
6. Man On The Silver Mountain 7. Do You Close Your Eyes (Running Time: 24:14)

Side D
8. Still I’m Sad(Running Time: 25:16)

Format: LP | Order Nr.:10543 | Price: € 19,99


[Thanks to: Frank Johow]






Japanese Release of "Rainbow Rising" and "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" Deluxe 2 CD Editions



Japanese recordstores announce the release of both "Rainbow Rising" and "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" as a Deluxe 2 CD Edition. No details on the tracks that will be on the CD's yet. The release date is set for March 24 in Japan only so far.

Description: Cardboard sleeve reissue from Rainbow featuring the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (fully compatible with standard CD players). This edition includes a bonus disc. Two-album Rainbow SHM-CD cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue series featuring the albums "Rainbow Rising" and "Long live Rock'n'Roll."

Update February 15:

Unfortunately it seems these releases are cancelled.

Update March 18:

New info from CD Japan:

Description: Cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue release from Rainbow featuring the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players). Part of a two-album Rainbow cardboard sleeve reissue series featuring "Rainbow Rising" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll." Features Japanese obi. Includes a bonus disc featuring the latest remastering. Also includes a label-card with serial number (subject to change).

Release date: June 23, 2010
Links: "Rainbow Rising" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll"



Update June 24:

The two announced re-releases are again postponed. Although now there is no longer a release of a 2 CD version of "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" planned. Instead we get an (as expected) release of a deluxe 2 CD version of "Down To Earth". New release date now is August 4th in Japan. Finally some more details got out.

Rainbow Rising

Contains two mixes of the original album on disc one. If any of you remember back to the original CDs of this album, the UK and US versions sounded very different, and it may be that these are the two mixes concerned.

Disc two has what are being called 'rough mixes' of the album, and two tracks from the early rehearsals. Let's hope they've gone back to originals sources on this lot.

Rainbow/Rainbow Rising [Cardboard sleeve (mini LP)] Deluxe Edition [SHM-CD] [Limited Edition] CDA
Release Date:2010/08/04

Description: Deluxe edition of "Rainbow Rising" release from Rainbow including outtakes, rehearsal tracks, and more. Features the cardboard sleeve (mini LP) which replicates UK LP artwork and the UK 2010 remastering. Includes a serial numbered label card, a 16-page booklet, and a Japanese Obi. Description and lyrics are also included. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format.

Down To Earth

Another double, this has the album and single on CD1, and a load of instrumental version on CD2. This is a bit of a worry, as previous Universal 'instrumental bonus tracks' by other artists have just been the original track with the vocal faded down. Hopefully in this case they've found something more interesting.

Rainbow/Down To Earth [Cardboard sleeve (mini LP)] Deluxe Edition [SHM-CD] [Limited Edition] CDA
Release Date:2010/08/04

Description: Deluxe edition of "Down To Earth" release from Rainbow including outtakes. Features the cardboard sleeve (mini LP) which replicates UK LP artwork and the UK 2010 remastering. Includes a serial numbered label card, a 16-page booklet, and a Japanese Obi. Description and lyrics are also included. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format.

[Thanks to: John Derry / deep.purple.net & CD Japan]






More Black than Purple - Issue 37



Issue 37 of the Ritchie Blackmore magazine More Black than Purple is now available.

- Included is the latest news on the Rainbow remastering project, and a detailed look at Stormbringer: "Glenn played it to David Bowie. He loved it. I don't know if that's a good sign or what". Was it really Deep Purple's black sheep of the family?

- Interviews with Over The Rainbow's Joe Lynn Turner, Blackmore's favourite minstrel; Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson and DVD producer Drew Thompson, who talks about the Deep Purple History, Hits & Highlights DVD.

- "I learnt Ritchie's guitar parts by ear and was struck by how brilliant he was at that young age, and how original". We take a look at Telstar, the new film about Joe Meek that features Ritchie Blackmore, and talk to Matthew Baynton who plays Blackmore in the film.

- Also included is the usual array of CD, DVD and book reviews; gig reports on Blackmore's Night and on Jon Lord and Glenn Hughes reuniting after 33 years at the Childline Rocks charity gig, plus news on the first man to replace Blackmore in Deep Purple in 1970!

- More Black than Purple can be ordered online at www.wymeruk.co.uk/Store or by calling Wymer UK on +44 (0) 1234 326691

More Black than Purple for Deep Purple, Rainbow & Blackmore's Night fans everywhere!
Wymer Publishing
ISSN: 1478-2499
Format: A4 magazine (297 x 210 mm)
Pages: 32, full colour
Price: £5
Publication date: November 2009
Category: International Ritchie Blackmore magazine

[Source: Wymer Publishing Press Release November 2009]






"Heart of the Purple Rainbow" by Colin Hart released early 2010



WP Wymer Publishing is pleased to announce it's next title will be the life story of Colin Hart, the former Deep Purple and Rainbow tour manager.

Hart devoted over thirty years of his life to these great rock musicians. This is his story and indeed theirs. A tale of excess in terms of greed, petulance, anger and devotion. It is counter balanced by extremes of pure talent, showmanship and, of course musicianship. He was the constant 'man in the middle' through all of the break ups, make-ups and revolving door line-up changes.

Joining them at twenty-four years old and leaving with a curt email dismissal thirty years later, he was there every step of their rock 'n' roll way. A story of two of the most innovative, often copied, rock bands; seen through the eyes, ears and emotions of their 'mother hen' (as Jon Lord described him). He was their minder, chauffeur, carer, provider, protector, father confessor & confidant.

In truth he is the only one who can tell this tale of both bands as he was the only one there on the road throughout the life of, not one, but both gigantic bands. Colin Hart joined Deep Purple following their 1971 tour of America with Rod Stewart and the Faces, and Matthew's Southern Comfort, for whom Colin was a roadie for at the time. He then endured a roller coaster ride, working for Purple, during the band's most successful period. Colin was there when the casino burnt down in Montreux, for the historical concerts in Japan, during the break-up of the Gillan / Glover line-up, the auditions that saw David Coverdale join the band, and the huge CalJam concert in front of 400,000.

When Blackmore left in early 1975 to set up Rainbow, Colin teamed up with him at the outset and continued as Rainbow's tour manager through the ever-revolving line-ups. He was invariably the man who had to break the news to many of the hopefuls that auditioned for the band: "We'll get back to you" being the stock reply! Once again Colin was in the thick of it during Rainbow's 9 year tenure; The classic Rainbow Rising period "the best lineup" in his eyes, the dramas during the making of Long Live Rock ‘n' Roll, the departure of kingpin Ronnie James Dio, the Graham Bonnet era, culminating in the first Monsters Of Rock Festival at Donington, and the successful period with frontman Joe Lynn Turner.

In 1984 when Blackmore disbanded Rainbow for the Deep Purple reunion, Colin naturally resumed his role with these rock giants as they embarked on a world tour that included the hugely successful 1985 US leg- the second biggest grossing American tour that year after Bruce Springsteen. A déjà vu situation occurred as Colin was in the middle of yet more band break-ups as first, Gillan departed, Turner joined, Gillan, returned and Blackmore departed while Steve Morse emerged to take the band into the new millennium, although for Colin his thirty years on the road with two of the biggest bands in rock history came to an end in 2001.

Provisionally titled Hart of The Purple Rainbow, and written with life long friend Dick Allix, former drummer with sixties band Vanity Fare, Hart tells the story of his life from humble beginnings in the English North East costal town of South Shields, to setting up home in California with Rainbow, and eventually settling in Florida, where he still lives today. Of touring the world several times over, including adventures, not just with Deep Purple and Rainbow, but also encounters with Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Def Leppard, The Beatles' George Harrison, and many more from the world of rock ‘n' roll. A truly fascinating read and insight from the other side of the stage.

Includes: Foreword by Paul Mann
Published in Japan in 2008 under the title 'Between A Rock & A Hard Place', Wymer Publishing has the rights for all other territories and languages.

Hart Of The Purple Rainbow
by Colin Hart & Dick Allix
Wymer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-4-1
Format: Paperback (234 x 156 mm)
Pages: TBC
Price: TBC
Publication date: Early 2010, to be confirmed
Category: Non-fiction, music biography


[Source: Wymer Publishing Press Release November 2009]








New Rainbow T-shirts announced



The Deep Purple Appreciation Society reports:

A new set of Rainbow t-shirts are to be released shortly.

There are three designs, based on the cover art for the first album "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", "Rainbow On Stage" and "Rainbow Rising".

The shirts are officially licensed.

They come in small, medium, large, XL and XXL.

You can pre-order these at DPAS Mailorder and delivery is expected for early November.

[Source: Wymer Publishing]






Rainbow "Star Club Präsentiert Rainbow" Compilation CD



Universal Music has released on August 11th another compilation titled "Star Club Präsentiert Rainbow".

It seems the live version of "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" has been taken off the "On Stage" album.


Tracklisting:

1. All Night Long
2. Catch The Rainbow
3. Since You Been Gone
4. I Surrender
5. Stone Cold
6. Kill The King
7. Stargazer
8. Starstruck
9. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves (Live)
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Long Live Rock N Roll
12. Run With the Wolf
13. Lost In Hollywood
14. If you don't like rock n roll
15. Miss Mistreated
16. Death Alley Driver



In other news:

Deep-Purple.net reports "Universal are now listing Deluxe Editions of Rainbow Rising and Down to Earth as 'Coming Soon'. All Universal's previous Deluxe Editions have been 2-disc sets, though they're keeping quiet about what will be on disc 2 here if so".






Rainbow "Anthology 1975 - 1984" Compilation 2CD



It's time for another compilation album. Universal Music will release on September 7th a double CD titled "Anthology 1975 - 1984". Most striking on this compilation is the previously unreleased live rendition of 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' from 1980's Monsters Of Rock Festival and the two live tracks from St. David's Hall in Cardiff 1983 that were released originally as a B-side for "Can't Let You Go".

Full description from eil.com:

RAINBOW Anthology 1975 - 1984 (2009 UK 28-track 2-CD album set - As the title explains thoroughly the content of this 2-disc set spans almost the entire career of Rainbow and is a celebration of all that was great and then greater still with the Anglo-American Heavy Rock giant. From their first incarnation with vocalist Ronnie James Dio whose fantasy sword n' sorcery lyrics shaped the early image of the band and whose significant presence takes-up the entire first disc, through to thechart scaling heights enjoyed with the Graham Bonnet line-up and the likes of 'Since You Been Gone' and then finally ending with the smooth-throated delivery and U.S. AOR styling's brought by Joe Lynn Turner, all the hits and more are crammed into this attractive package.

With a nod also to Blackmore's curious sense of humour and the addition of tracks such as, 'Snowman' [the title theme to the cartoon Xmas favourite] and a previously unreleased live rendition of 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' from 1980's Monsters Of Rock Festival, this release stands-out significantly from previous would-be hits collections in both content and execution. Complete with a picture booklet containing extensive sleevenotes from Jerry Bloom, and a 16-page booklet chronicling the career of Rainbow with a complete album discography and comprehensive personnel chart).


Tracklisting:

CD1:

1. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
2. The Temple Of The King
3. Man On The Silver Mountain
4. Still I'm Sad
5. Tarot Woman
6. A Light In The Black
7. Stargazer
8. Catch The Rainbow
9. Intro: Over The Rainbow / Kill The King - Live
10. Gates Of Babylon
11. Lady Of The Lake
12. L.A. Connection


CD2:

1. Eyes Of The World
2. Since You've Been Gone - Album Version
3. Lost In Hollywood
4. Weiss Heim
5. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Live from Donnington
6. I Surrender - Album Version
7. Vielleicht Das Nachster Mal
8. Jealous Lover
9. Stone Cold - Album Version
10. Death Alley Driver
11. Eyes Of Fire
12. Can't Let You Go - Album Version
13. Street Of Dreams - Album Version
14. Snowman
15. Stranded - Live at St. David's Hall,Cardiff, 1983
16. All Night Long - Live at David's Hall, Cardiff, 1983

[Thanks to: Rik1]






Rainbow "Since You've Been Gone" DVD + Book



Another Rainbow Documentary DVD has been released by Archive Media on August 24th.
No details yet other than the description on some online-shop sites.


Description from play.com:

Rainbow produced some of the finest hard rock music ever recorded, under the creative leadership of Ritchie Blackmore. The film gives a rare insight into the workings of the band which endured countless line-up changes, from the early Ronnie James Dio years and how the band was able to overcome the loss of its singer and lyricist to reach a new level of commercial success.

This documentary DVD and book will delight long term fans, collectors and new comers discovering Rainbow for the first time.

Special features:

- Image Gallery
- Includes 72 page colour illustrated book where the band retell their experiences



Description from hmv.com:

Ritchie Blackmore's combustible guitar riffs in the seminal band Deep Purple were the sparks that fed the conflagration of a whole new genre: heavy metal.

Blackmore's musical ambition led him away from the band in 1975, after which he poached members of the band Elf --including vocalist Ronnie James Dio-- to record the solo project that would evolve into the band Rainbow.

Dio's lyrics were a castles-and-kings affair and Blackmore's classical-derived music suited them well. The pair --with an ever-rotating line-up behind them-- recorded several popular albums, until Dio was lured away by Black Sabbath in '79.

Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple in 1984, revisiting Rainbow briefly in the mid-'90s before finally pulling the plug on both bands and moving on to the medieval folk act Blackmore's Night.









Rainbow's "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll Story" by Jerry Bloom out on June 5th



Rainbow's Long Live Rock 'n' Roll Story by Jerry Bloom
Wymer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-2-7
Format: paperback (125x140mm), 64 pp
Price: £7.99
Publication date: 5th June 2009
Category: Non-fiction

This book, the first in a planned series on 'landmark' rock albums focuses on Rainbow's 1978 release Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, a pivotal album within the band's roster.

Upon its release in April 1978 Long Live Rock 'n' Roll fans considered it a more commercial album than the previous two releases with indications that band leader Ritchie Blackmore was trying to steer the music towards obtaining greater commercial recognition within the world's biggest record market; America.

Having recorded the previous two albums in a combined period of barely over a month, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow's third studio album took almost a year to make. Recorded at the Strawberry Studios in the haunted Chateau d'Herouville near Paris, it was the last album to feature singer Ronnie James Dio, and saw the band struggle to cope with in-wranglings, sackings, sudden departures and intervention from the spiritual world!

Along with recollections from the band and crew, Ritchie Blackmore biographer Jerry Bloom details the full story behind the making of this 'landmark' album that included the classic songs Kill The King, Gates Of Babylon and Long Live Rock 'n' Roll.

With Blackmore steering Rainbow towards a much more commercial approach with the albums that followed, to many fans Long Live Rock 'n' Roll was the last Rainbow record to truly represent the style that the band originally set out to produce, with its blend of renaissance inspired chord progressions, and mystical, and medieval inspired lyrics.

Includes a track by track analysis, selected discography & 8-page colour section, all combined in a 'CD size' book designed to sit on your shelf, alongside the album as its perfect companion.

An essential read for all fans of Rainbow and classic rock music in general.

Available to order directly from the publisher's website at www.wymeruk.co.uk/Store by calling +44 (0) 1234 326691 or from any book store by quoting the ISBN.

Distributed by Wymer UK, P O Box 155, Bedford, MK40 2YX, United Kingdom
E-mail: admin@wymerpublishing.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1234 326691

Trade enquiries: enquiries@wymerpublishing.co.uk

[Thanks to: Jerry Bloom / More Black Than Purple]






Classic RAINBOW Artwork Featured On New Giclée Print



StormStudios have created a new giclée fine art print featuring artwork from RAINBOW's Difficult To Cure, PINK FLOYD's Pulse, THE NICE's Elegy and PETER GABRIEL's debut album, Peter Gabriel (aka Car) among others.

Printed on 16.75" x 26.5", only 125 are available. Each are signed, titled and numbered by legendary LED ZEPPELIN/Pink Floyd artist Storm Thorgerson.

For a limited period, this will be on offer at a special introductory price of £350.

For more info visit www.stormsight.co.uk.

According to Wikipedia, giclée (pronounced zhee-clay), is an invented name for the process of making fine art prints from a digital source using ink-jet printing. The word 'giclée' is derived from the French language word 'le gicleur' meaning 'nozzle', or more specifically 'gicler' meaning 'to squirt, spurt, or spray.' The name was originally applied to fine art prints created on Iris printers in a process invented in the early 1990s but has since come to mean any high quality ink-jet print and is often used in galleries and print shops to denote such prints.

[Source: BraveWords.com - Thanks to: Metal Tim]






Another DVD out: Ritchie Blackmore And Rainbow - Collector's Box Set



And one more for the die-hard collectors.

The ultimate axe-man companion! This is the best moments of Ritchie Blackmore partnered by the Rainbow Audiobiography. Guitar Gods looks at the pioneering technique of Ritchie Blackmore that combined virtuosity with flamboyant showmanship. Showcasing Blackmore's axe-work with highlights from over 40 years at the top, this film also presents the sometimes brutally candid words of a host of ex-band mates. Amongst others, Nicky Simper and Glenn Hughes give their honest appraisal of an ego as undeniable as the talent.

This is the true story of hard rock legends Rainbow, as told by those who toured and recorded with the band. The CD draws on material of Rainbow in concert from film, TV and radio archives, along with in-depth interviews with former band members from almost the entire 30 years of Rainbow. Lead vocalists Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Dougie White, plus bass player Bob Daisley and drummer Bobby Rondinelli all offer intimate insights into the music of one of the most worshipped and maligned front-men in rock history, Ritchie Blackmore!

This set got released on August 11 by Classic Rock Legends Ltd.
The catalogue number is CBX2863.






NEW DVD TITLED "PURPLE RAINBOWS" ANNOUNCED FOR RELEASE



And yet another Rainbow Documentary DVD has been announced to get a release in the near future. No release date has been given yet. This one is a 3 DVD box with two books. There is one dvd on Rainbow, the others are about Deep Purple and Whitesnake. From the description it looks like it's the "In Their Own Words" DVD. By the way this is by far the most interesting DVD of these kinda documentaries as we see & hear the Rainbow members themselves tell their story.

Full description of the "Purple Rainbows" DVD:

The very best of Deep Purple in all their guises!

Deep Purple: Featuring candid reflections then and now from Nick Simper, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale and one of the very last interviews ever recorded with the late Tommy Bolin, this is the ultimate reappraisal of Deep Purple, alongside great live sets from 1968 to 1974! 72 page book; Deep Purple vs. the Press!

Rainbow: Frank interviews with Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner, Bob Daisley, Bobby Rondinelli and Doogie White plus archive interviews with Ronnie James Dio and of course Ritchie Blackmore, plus great live footage makes this the most honest and candid inside appraisal of Rainbow to date! 72 page book; full transcripts of the best Rainbow interviews!

Whitesnake: With the best David Coverdale interviews and anchored by bassman Neil Murray, this independent review of Whitesnake draws on the best archive performances of the Snake on stage to present a complete chronology of the band, from zeroes to guitar heroes!

[Source: Play.com]






BOOK WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW IN THE PIPELINE



The Deep Purple Appreciation Society (DPAS) has announced that they have several books in the pipeline. The (working) Titles are "Photographs of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", "Deep Purple - The Psychedelic Years", "Deep Purple - The Poster Collection", "Deep Purple - Day By Night", "Deep Purple Illustrated Discography Vol One - 1968 / 1976", "Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water" and "The Art Of The Concert Flyer".

They report about the "Photographs of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" book:

As this one has been drawn primarily from Simon's own collection, we'll let him explain: "I had our Japanese business contact over recently to discuss a book of Ramones photographs (!) and he spotted some of my old Blackmore prints. He suggested do something with the material; time marches on and this stuff is already over thirty years old. So the concept of a book of photographs came together.

The stuff has been filed away and most of the negatives (and just about all the slides) have never been published. I had no official access, everything was done off the cuff, but there was much less aggro back then and when I dug out the shots they seemed full of the atmosphere of the time.

As I understand it the emphasis will be on the 1976 and 1977 tours, although the Japanese may want later tours covered as well." We will have links through to the European publisher shortly, and some trial pages. In the meantime we are able to show the proposed cover.

More info on the other book can be found on www.deep-purple.net.

[Source: DeepPurple.net]






RAINBOW COMPILATION 'CATCH THE RAINBOW' RE-ISSUE ON SHM-CD IN JAPAN



The Rainbow 'Catch The Rainbow: The Anthology' Compilation CD gets a re-issue on the SHM-CD format. This will be a limited release in Japan. It will be out on June 25. Catalog no is UICY-90892.

Description: SHM-CD reissue featuring the 2003 edit of this release. The high quality SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing, SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc, allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. This release is also part of the 200-album SHM-CD Series Campaign from Universal Music Japan.

Tracks: Man On The Silver Mountain, Sixteenth Century Greensleeves, Catch The Rainbow, Tarot Woman, Starstruck, Stargazer, Light In The Black, Mistreated (live), Long Live Rock'n'Roll, Gates Of Babylon, Kill The King, Rainbow Eyes, Eyes Of The World, Since You Been Gone, All Night Long, Weiss Heim, I Surrender, Spotlight Kid, Can't Happen Here, Jealous Lover, Death Valley Driver, Stone Cold, Tearin' Out My Heart, Power, Can't Let You Go, Desperate Heart, Street Of Dreams, Difficult To Cure (live).

Other Rainbow SHM-CD are "Rainbow Rising" and "Long Live Rock'n'Roll", both released on January 23, 2008 in Japan.

[Source: CDJapan]






BOOK ABOUT THE RAINBOW RISING ALBUM & TOUR IN THE WORKS



Jerry Bloom of More Black Than Purple informs us that he's working on a book documenting about the Rainbow Rising album and 76 tour with as many reviews, anecdotes, photos etc as possible. Anyone who wants to contribute can contact Jerry by e-mail.

Other MBTP plans considering include a book documenting all the bootlegs from Purple, Rainbow etc.

Jerry Bloom started the More Black Than Purple magazine together with Mark Welch in 1996. The magazine is in A4 format on glossy art paper. It reports on the current exploits of the highly creative and fresh musical output of the 'Man In Black'. But MBTP also looks in detail at all facets of Blackmore's wonderful career. Each issue include a cross section of items from various eras of Blackmore's career, including interviews, either with the man himself or those who have at some point been associated with him. For more info and subscriptions on MBTP check this website.






RITCHIE BLACKMORE 'GUITAR GODS' DVD OUT ON SEPTEMBER 24



Classic Rock Legends releases again a DVD with the spotlight on Ritchie Blackmore. The description for this DVD is: A critical analysis of guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore, featuring the participation of Nicky Simper and Glen Hughes. Running time: 65 minutes

Guitar Gods looks at the pioneering technique of Blackmore that combined virtuosity with flamboyant showmanship, talking to those who knew and played with one of the most controversial frontmen in the history of Rock.

Including: Nicky Simper and Glenn Hughes give their honest opinions of a man with an ego as undeniable as his god-like talent.

Fascinating insights from former band members of Rainbow, from almost the entire 30 years of the bands multi-faceted history.

We also hear the views of Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Ronnie James Dio! Jaw-dropping footage spanning virtually Blackmore's entire career!

It can be ordered at Amazon UK.






RAINBOW 'LIVE IN NÜRNBERG' 2CD WILL BE RELEASED THIS AUTUMN



The last of three shows from RAINBOW's September 1976 tour of Germany (Dusseldorf and Cologne are already available), newly mixed from the multi-tracks, and issued to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band's first world tour is finally released in Europe. As before the 2xCD set features the regular set-list from that tour:

Kill The King / Mistreated / Sixteenth Century Greensleeves / Catch The Rainbow / Man On The Silver Mountain / Stargazer / Still I'm Sad / Do You Close Your Eyes.

The 2CD comes with an 8 page colour booklet with notes and pictures. The releasedate has been put back several weeks. The releasedate is November 29. Although for some area's it's early December. The 2CD can be ordered at Amazon UK.

In Japan this 2CD was already released in May 2006 as part of a 6CD Box containing all 3 concerts. In Europe 'Live in Köln (Cologne)' was released in July 2006, 'Live in Düsseldorf 1976' in February 2007.

Note: Although the CD is supposed to be recorded in the Messzentrum Halle in Nürnberg, there are still sources that claim Rainbow played that night in the Mannheim Multihalle and never did Nürnberg that tour. Even the booklets of 'Live in Germany 1976' (released in 1990) and 'Live in Koln 1976' name Mannheim for September 28th.

Update: Advance press notices for the 1976 German tour listed a concert in Mannheim for September 28th. This was later changed to Nurnberg on the 28th, Mannheim being played on Sept 30th (with Munich on the 29th). The original notes on the CD Live in Germany had the dates wrong, due in part to one of the master reels for Nurnberg being dated 27th in error, and an engineer wrongly dating Nurnberg to the 29th on monitor mixes. Now all the tape boxes have been fully examined, and with confirmation from fans in Germany (one has a poster for the Nurnberg show, the other a ticket for Mannheim), we are now confident this is the correct date.
[source: CD booklet]

From the DPAS site: Some copies of this disc have a mastering error on CD2 which may cause the between song chat at the end of track two - Still I'm Sad - to repeat the last few seconds before moving into the following song. The error has been rectified but some copies may have reached the shops. If you have a copy which has this error it can be replaced free of charge. (So... Nothing is lost, and the music is not affected. Only a short clip of chat is repeated)

We have arranged for Darker Than Blue to handle this exchange for us in Europe. Send Disc 2 only (keep CD1 and the rest of the package) to: Darker Than Blue (Rainbow exchange) 74 Nethergate, Sheffield S6 6DJ, Great Britain.

Include a piece of paper with your FULL NAME and ADDRESS. A correct replacement Disc 2 will be sent out. This exchange only affects this disc, no other product is affected.






INDUCT RITCHIE BLACKMORE INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME PETITION



Gary M. Entler and Brent A. Soileau created a petition named "The Induct Ritchie Blackmore into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". They wrote the following text for this petition:

To: Fans of Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore is one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music. He has inspired generations of musicians who exist today and those yet to be born with the classic riff from " Smoke on the Water."

Ritchie has played guitar for such legends as Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Screaming Lord Sutch and was a founding member and guitarist for two of Rock and Roll's most dynamic bands, Deep Purple and Rainbow. Those two bands exhibited the finest musicianship that Rock has to offer while selling out major venues and millions upon miilions of records worldwide. Deep Purple alone, led by Ritchie's blazing guitar style, is credited with record saless of over 100 million albums. Rainbow continued Ritchie's Deep Purple tradition in sales, musical virtuosity, and lasting musical influence.

Blackmore is listed in Rolling Stone's " 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time " and was one of the first guitarists to combine blues scales and phrases with minor scales and ideas from European classical music. His resulting style has been referred to as ' neo-classical ' and has been emulated by many modern guitarists. Many prominent musicians of today credit Ritchie Blackmore as a main influence. Just read an interview ! Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Jon Petrucci, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen as well as bands like Iro Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard, Judas Priest, The Scorpions...the list goes on and on !

Today, Ritchie explores his cultural roots in a band called Blackmore's Night, a medieval-inspired effort that calls Ritchie back to his love of Renaissance music and exposes rock fans to exciting new music that successfully integrates his signature guitar style into traditional Western music. Ritchie has and continues to inspire and entertain millions worldwide for over forty years.

Ritchie deserves a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you agree, and feel as motivated, please sign this Petition to be sent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation to demand the inclusion of this innovative and unique rock artist in its ranks.

You can sign the petition here.

[Thanks to: Rainer Klos]






RAINBOW AUDIOBIOGRAPHY OUT ON AUGUST 20



On August 20 Regeneration will release a CD and Book set called the Rainbow Audiobiography. It looks like another product out of the company that is known as Classic Rock Productions but also uses a handfull other names as it seems. Expect a CD with most likely an edited version of the audio track of the "Inside The Rainbow" DVD's. The cover says: "In the words of the band and their critics", just like those DVD's. It can be ordered at Amazon UK.

It will be released on August 28 by Classic Rock Legends in the US and can be ordered at Amazon USA.






ANOTHER RAINBOW EXCLUSIVE COMPILATION IN 10 CD BOX



Another compilation! RAINBOW The Polydor Years 1975-1986. This time an exclusive limited edition box set comprised of 8 CD albums and 1 2-CD set for the Japanese market.

It includes the following albums: 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow', 'Rising', 'On Stage', 'Long Live Rock 'n Roll', 'Down to Earth', 'Difficult to Cure', 'Straight Between the Eyes', 'Bent Out of Shape', and 'Finyl Vinyl' - a total of 80 tracks! Each disc is presented in a mini LP-style card sleeve with obi strip, with the set housed inside a deluxe make-up style box, which is itself housed inside a sealed hardback slipcase + obi strip for the Japan release. In the mean time also for sale at Amazon UK and Amazon USA






NEW RAINBOW COMPILATION DVD OUT CALLED 'UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL'



Here we go again. This time under the monniker Total Rock Music (but it's the same company who used the name Classic Rock Production and some others) another dodgy compilation. Possible the same crappy footage as they used for other obscure releases in the past named "Inside Rainbow" and "Total Rock Review". The new release is called "Up Close And Personal". More than likely the same old interviews with people from the music business (who had nothing to do with Rainbow), some excerpts from old interviews plus heavily edited video and liveclips. We already spotted two different covers to make it more complicated....

The Total Rock Music website says: "Sometimes I feel like I own the stage completely… I'm just going crazy. The adrenalin is so much that all my musical upbringing is thrown into intensity onstage, rather than being a musician." - Ritchie Blackmore

This is the true story of Hard Rock Legends Rainbow, as told by the insiders who toured and recorded with the band! Few would dispute the genius of Blackmore, or the fact that behind the chaos of their carousel line-ups Rainbow produced some of the finest hard-rock music ever recorded.

Sit in on in-depth interviews with band members from almost the entire 30 plus years of Rainbow, in one incarnation or another. Lead vocalists Graham Bonnet ('79-'80) Joe Lynn Turner ('81-'84) and Dougie White ('94-'97), plus bass player Bob Daisley and drummer Bobby Rondinelli all offer intimate insight into the music of one of the most controversial of frontmen and the breathtaking band he created.

The 72-page book features a biography of Rainbow, with an analysis of every studio album Rainbow recorded, and is illustrated with many rare colour photographs from the early days.

Featured tracks include Man On The Silver Mountain, Since You Been Gone, All Night Long, Hall Of The Mountain King, Catch The Rainbow and many more!

English audio with subtitles in: French, Italian, German, Spanish, Swedish Approx running time 66 minutes.






RAINBOW VINYL REPLICA BOX SET TO BE ISSUED IN JAPAN IN MAY



The following classic RAINBOW albums will be repackaged into a deluxe box set due for release on May 23 in Japan via Universal International. Each disc comes as a paper sleeve replicating the original vinyl package. The box includes: Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow (1975), Rainbow Rising (1976), On Stage (1977), Long Live Rock N Roll (1978), Down To Earth (1979), Difficult To Cure (1981), Straight Between The Eyes (1982), Bent Out Of Shape (1983) and Final Vinyl (1986).

[source: Bravewords.net]






RAINBOW IN THEIR OWN WORDS & TOTAL ROCK REVIEW UNOFFICIAL COMPILATION DVDS



Edgehill Publishing has released on October 9 an unofficial compilation DVD called "Rainbow In Their Own Words".

The DVD Description says: "There are no harsher critics of Rainbow's work than the group themselves. This unique book and film review draws on rare documentary footage of Rainbow in performance, alongside the candid reflections of former Rainbow front man Doogie White, from television and radio archives around the world. We also hear the first hand accounts of insiders from the Rainbow plus the incisive views of a leading team of music critics and working musician to discover the influences which shaped some of the greatest hard rock music ever recorded. The book accompanying this unique film is the 96-page book 'Rainbow and the Press' featuring a comprehensive review of the relationship between the band and its critics. The book features extensive reflections on life inside the Rainbow touring machine drawing upon press interviews made during the band's heyday.

This totally independent film and book review was made with complete editorial freedom. The recollections expressed have not been censored or reviewed by the interviewees making this the ultimate hard hitting independent review on film and in print of the career of Rainbow from the inside in the words of those who really matter; the musicians themselves".

However as we seen more compilation like this before remarks like this should be noticed as well: This is series of interviews with a lot of the band members covering the whole history of the band interspersed with short video clips taken from various live performances but no complete songs. A lot of the interviews (especially those with Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio) are not face to camera, only a poor quality audio tape with pictures of album covers etc. on screen. Only worth looking at if you are a serious fan of the band and better to rent rather than buy as you will only look at it once. [John R. Murdoch on Amazon.co.uk]

There's ANOTHER of those unofficial compilation DVDs out, this one titled RAINBOW IN THEIR OWN WORDS (though as the sleeve warns that neither Rainbow nor Blackmore were involved...), with a book attached, and issued by Tamanoir Ltd. The sleeve carries a warning about the quality of the clips, which carry on in the grand tradition of all previous releases from companies like Classic Rock Productions (and could well be the same people for all we know) using stuff taken from fans' VHS copies. Take our advice and avoid it like the plague. [DeepPurple.net]

For those who still want to buy it, it's on sale at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

And if it's not enough also announced for a release is another DVD unofficial compilation called "Rainbow: Total Rock Review" on November 17. We spotted it in 2 diferent covers already. According to the description it looks like a re-release of the poorly "Inside Rainbow Part II 79-97" DVD:

This is the critical review of the music of Rainbow during the crucial period from 1979-1997, which saw the arrival of Graham Bonnet through to the final Stranger In Us All tour...

Features rare footage of Rainbow with Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Dougie White. Dougie also gives us an insight into the workings of the band and explains what its like to tour and record with the man he calls 'the finest guitarist of his generation'.

This unique film uses rare footage of Rainbow on stage coupled with the incisive views of a leading team of music critics, working musicians and former Rainbow front man Dougie White to discover the influences that shaped some of the greatest hard rock music ever recorded.

On sale at Amazon.co.uk






RAINBOW "LIVE IN DUSSELDORF 1976" AUDIO CD EUROPEAN RELEASE IN NOVEMBER



The second of three shows from RAINBOW's September 1976 tour of Germany, newly mixed from the multi-tracks, is nearing release, and follows the pattern set by Cologne. From our research we believe only one track from this particular gig has ever been issued before (Catch The Rainbow on the old Connoisseur title Live In Germany).

The show dates from September 27th 1976, and features the regular set-list from that tour: Kill The King / Mistreated / Sixteenth Century Greensleeves / Catch The Rainbow / Man On The Silver Mountain / Stargazer / Still I'm Sad. There was no encore for this particular night. The CD can be pre-ordered now via dpas mail order and release is expected in November. On that schedule the last release will not now be out until the new year. Sleeve details haven't yet been supplied to us.

[source: Deep Purple.net]






TWO NEW EUROPEAN RAINBOW DVD'S TO BE RELEASED SOON



According to CDon.com there will be two European Rainbow DVD releases this month. First there's "Live At Budokan Tokyo 1984", released by SHO Masterplan (Catalog number: SHO-MP-42073). Releasedate is September 15.

Tracklist: Spotlight Kid, Miss Mistreated, I Surrender, Can't Happen Here, Catch The Rainbow, Power / Keyboard Solo, Street Of Dreams, Fool For The Night, Difficult To Cure, Guitar Improvisation, Drum Solo / Blues, Stranded, Death Alley Driver, Fire Dance, Maybe Next Time, All Night Long, Lazy, Since You've Been Gone, Smoke On The Water.

Update: In some forums are stories that SHO Masterplan would be a bootleg company. More details later.

The 2nd release in Europe is "Live Between The Eyes - Final Cut". This DVD with two previously released videos has been already released in Japan on May 10. In Europe it now will be released on September 25 by Universal Music (Catalog number: UNI-984241-2) according to CDon. Amazon gives October 9 as releasedate.

Tracklists:

Final Cut: Spotlight Kid, Death Alley Driver, I Surrender, All Night Long, Can't Happen Here, Difficult To Cure, Can't Let You Go, Power, Since You Been Gone, Stone Cold, Street Of Dreams.

Live Between The Eyes: Over The Rainbow, Spotlight Kid, Miss Mistreated, Can`t Happen Here, Tearin' Out My Heart, All Night Long, Stone Cold, Power, Blues, Difficult To Cure, Long Live Rock'n'Roll, Kill The King, Maybe Next Time, Smoke On The Water.






RITCHIE BLACKMORE BOOKS: THE NEXT STAGE & BLACK KNIGHT



According to a posting on BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's official web site, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night have decided to share with their fans some real band experiences — past and present. "The Next Stage" will be out soon and is the only authorized book containing stories that Candice and Ritchie have personally told. Rumor has it even some stories from past bands will be included here. Don't bother with imitations when you can have the real item — first-time ever stories told by Ritchie and Candice for you to share. The Next Stage will be here soon and available through the BLACKMORE'S NIGHT merchandise page.

Black Knight - the unauthorised Ritchie Blackmore Biography Omnibus (ISBN: 1846092663)

Written and researched by Jerry Bloom who first met Ritchie more than twenty years ago; has followed his career since the seventies, and since 1996 has published and edited the International Ritchie Blackmore magazine 'More Black than Purple.'

The first ever Ritchie Blackmore biography by Jerry Bloom is published by Omnibus Press on 4th September. It is in hardback only and runs to 400 pages. All copies bought from MBTP will be signed by the author. Price:- £19.95, Add postage per book as follows: UK- £5.00 / Europe- £7.50 / Rest- £12.50 Release Date: 4th September 2006

Apart from "The Next Stage" and "Black Knight", former Deep Purple and Rainbow tour manager Colin Hart has written a book and is currently negotiating publishing deals.






JAPANESE RE-RELEASES FOR ALL RAINBOW ALBUMS



All the Rainbow Albums will be re-released in 2 different versions in Japan in August & September. First there is the re-release of the ordinary CD's on August 30 featuring: Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow (catalog number UICY-6368), Rainbow Rising (UICY-6369), On Stage (UICY-6370), Long Live Rock N Roll (UICY-6371), Down To Earth (UICY-6372), Difficult To Cure (UICY-6373), Straight Between The Eyes (UICY-6374), Bent Out Of Shape (UICY-6375) and Final Vinyl (UICY-6376).

On September 20 The Very Best Of Rainbow (catalog numer UICY-9749) will also be re-released.

On September 27 there is then re-releases of the same CD's as Limited Edition with Cardboard Sleeves: Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow (catalog number UICY-9190), Rainbow Rising (UICY-9191), On Stage (UICY-9192), Long Live Rock N Roll (UICY-9193), Down To Earth (UICY-9194), Difficult To Cure (UICY-9195), Straight Between The Eyes (UICY-9196), Bent Out Of Shape (UICY-9197) and Final Vinyl (UICY-9198).

Last April saw already the re-release of Stranger In Us All (BMG BVCM37696) in a Cardboard Sleeve.






RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH 1977 ALSO TO BE RELEASED ON AUDIO CD IN JUNE




After the DVD which was released last December in Japan and is expected to be out on August 21 in Europe, there will be now also a release of the same concert as double audio CD in the US & Japan. The releasedate is set for June 13 in Europe & the US (Eagle Records) and for June 21 in Japan (Catalogue Number: VICP63478).

The concert was recorded in Munich, Germany on October 20, 1977 with the following line-up: Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Cozy Powell (drums), Bob Daisley (bass) & David Stone (keyboards).

CD1:
Kill The King, Mistreated, Sixteenth Century Greensleeves, Catch The Rainbow, Long Live Rock 'N' Roll

CD2:
Man On The Silver Mountain, Still I'm Sad, Do You Close Your Eyes






RAINBOW "DEUTSCHLAND TOURNEE 1976" 6 CD BOX OUT IN JAPAN ON MAY 24




VAP Japan will release the previously announced Rainbow "Deutschland Tournee 1976 / Live in Germany 1976" as a 6 CD Box (Catalogue Number: VPCK85354). Instead of 3 seperate releases as previously reported, it will be released in Japan as a box with 6 cds.

The cds will cover 3 complete concerts: Cologne 25th September 1976, Dusseldorf 27th September 1976 & Nurnberg 28th September 1976.

Setlist for these concerts: "Kill The King", "Mistreated", "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves", "Catch The Rainbow", "Man On The Silver Mountain", "Stargazer", "Still I'm Sad", "Do You Close Your Eyes".

No news or releasedate for Europe and the USA on the moment.







MORE VINTAGE RAINBOW VIDEOS TO BE RELEASED ON DVD IN JAPAN



Universal Music will be releasing a single DVD (Universal International UIBO1093) in Japan on May 10 with two Rainbow titles that only have been available on VHS video in the past: "Final Cut" and "Live Between The Eyes".

Tracklists:

Final Cut: Spotlight Kid, Death Alley Driver, I Surrender, All Night Long, Can't Happen Here, Difficult To Cure, Can't Let You Go, Power, Since You Been Gone, Stone Cold, Street Of Dreams.

Live Between The Eyes: Over The Rainbow, Spotlight Kid, Miss Mistreated, Can`t Happen Here, Tearin' Out My Heart, All Night Long, Stone Cold, Power, Blues, Difficult To Cure, Long Live Rock'n'Roll, Kill The King, Maybe Next Time, Smoke On The Water.

The DVD is already advertised by HMV Japan. No news if this DVD also will be released in Europe and the USA on the moment.






JAPANESE RE-RELEASE FOR "STRANGER IN US ALL" IN LIMITED PAPER SLEEVE



RCA Japan will reissue RAINBOW's 1995 release Stranger In Us All in a limited paper sleeve edition on April 26th. Only 2,200 copies of the reissue will be manufactured.

Tracks on the album include: 'Wolf To The Moon', 'Cold Hearted Woman', 'Hunting Humans', 'Stand And Fight', 'Ariel', 'Too Late For Tears', 'Black Masquerade', 'Silence', 'Hall Of The Mountain King', 'Still I'm Sad'.
[source: Brave Words.com]






THREE RAINBOW LIVE IN GERMANY 1976 CONCERTS TO BE RELEASED THIS YEAR



Darker Than Blue (The Deep Purple Collectors Service) has announced the release of 3 complete concerts from Rainbow 1976 European Tour in Germany on CD. The first release will be Live in Cologne 1976. Tracklist: "Kill The King", "Mistreated", "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves", "Catch The Rainbow", "Man On The Silver Mountain", "Stargazer", "Still I'm Sad", "Do You Close Your Eyes".

Three of Rainbow's German shows from 1976 have been remixed to form special collectors releases to mark the 30th anniversary of the first world tour. These have been produced primarily for Japan but will also be issued in Europe via AFN in Germany. The first release is Sept 25. 1976 Cologne issued as a 2CD in jewel case. Dusseldorf and Nurnberg will follow. Keep an eye on the deep-purple.net site for progress reports.
[source: deep-purple.net]

Update:
This first CD, Cologne 1976, is now out in Germany, releasedate May 26. It seems to be scheduled to be released in the rest of Europe on June 2.






RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH 1977 RELEASED ON DVD IN JAPAN


The Rockpalast 1977, Live in Munich October 20, is finally going to be released in Japan. The DVD will be released as a 2 DVD set on December 21. The first DVD will have the entire Munich liveshow. It's not clear what will be on the second DVD exactly but there's mention of interviews & clips. The DVD will have DTS 5.1 Ch Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch Surround and Dolby Digital 2.0ch Surround audio. The catalogue release no is VPBR-12464.

More info in Japanese on these links: CD/DVD Journal and HMV Japan.

Update: The second DVD will feature new interviews with Colin Hart (Rainbow's Tour Manager) and Bob Daisley plus the videoclips of L.A. Connection, Gates Of Babylon & Long Live Rock'N'Roll.

The European edition will contain an extra commentary, written by Rainbow biographer Roy Davies, extra packaging, etc. As well as the full concert (including guitar demolition and some great shots of the famous electronic rainbow), there are interviews, extra Rainbow promos etc. This show has been bootlegged extensively in a number of formats, but this new release will be pristine quality with remastered audio etc. Those who have seen the test copy say its excellent. For those who never saw Rainbow in their early days, a real treat. For those who did, a reminder of what an awesome band they were at the time. The European DVD has been reschedued for August 21, 2006.

[source: Deep Purple.net]