Noble box set

As an old Blackmore disciples and RAINBOW fan, you have to ask, of course, first of all, whether the acquisition of this box is absolutely necessary. Much of what is contained on it, you have of course already umpteen times are in the closet. So RAINBOW classics like SIXTEENTH CENTURY GREENSLEEVES, TEMPLE OF THE KING, GATES OF BABYLON are uswusf only in the normal album versions included (of course remastered). What is odd is that one of the best RAINBOW tracks, KILL THE KING, on the audio CD's completely missing ??? Strange also that the title-track A LIGHT IN THE BLACK also missing, although this song for me has always had only jam character. The Rough mixes of RISING songs are already known by the RISING Deluxe Edition. Likewise, the Rough mixes and alternative outtakes LONG LIVE ROCK'N'ROLL and down to earth. B-sides and several live recordings from the Joe Lynn Turner phase is already known from FINYL VINYL ... so far so good.

The absolute highlight is the live recording of CATCH THE RAINBOW (Japan 1978) for me. Although the sound is pretty bad, but you get good with 22 min. the longest version offered this song that has ever appeared. The recording of ON STAGE will naturally remain the best forever. RAINBOW-Live, which meant that time seething, boiling over Marshall boxes, powerful srat licks and solos, a divine voice, mystical keyboard sounds and a drum like a jackhammer !!! Pure magic !!!
Also interesting are the Rehearsal tracks, Pirate Sound, 1977. Here you can hear Ronnie James Dio singing very softly in the background, and DO YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES is simply meaningless without guitar ...
Excellent are the live recordings of New York in 1979 at STARGAZER (Donington 1980) you have to get used to the voice of Graham Bonnet (Dio help !!!) used, but otherwise a very strong version with a very good sound.
The shots of London in 1981 to sound kind of weird, because you almost do not hear the crowd. For the recordings of Cardiff in 1983 are absolutely excellent, and the grand finale, there's Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water (Tokyo 1984). At this point, Ritchie had probably already the PURPLE reunion in mind ...

On the Donington DVD I've been looking forward the most. It is a pity that we are dealing only by half a concert, because a lot of tracks are missing! Graham Bonnet seemed optically always like a foreign body in Rainbow, but vocally he is beyond reproach (very strong organ). Clear, to the brilliance of Ronnie James Dio of course he does not come close, but who is that? Ritchie Blackmore is in absolute best form, the Stratocaster is frying without end ... Cocy Powell also shines, thrashes on his boiler-Bude is a like a dervish (I think it was his last gig with RAINBOW).
Picture and sound quality are for 1980 in order.

The presentation of the box is very high. The cover artwork is great, The Man In Black, the white Fender Stratocaster and a little mist ... more brauchts ned !!! Inside the sturdy box is a poster from the Donington festival and a program booklet of the STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES tour. But the highlight is the Digi-book with complete discography of RAINBOW, absolutely great !!! The 6 silver plate stuck in thin cardboard sleeves, it would be better able to solve (eg Digi-Paks). But in all, seen it all an excellent position made box!

Ritchie Blackmore has always been the best of all guitarists for me. Emulators like Yngwie Malmsteen close but still in the toilet, and eavesdrop the sounds of RAINBOW RISING ....

CONCLUSION: The quality of the music, there is no 2 opinions, which are naturally fat 5 Stars! The presentation of the box is very good! However, I have to deduct a star, but I have a few more rarities would have liked, and above all the entire Donington concert !!!
Despite all, a noble box set, fits perfectly in my collection ....