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RIANBOW
: LIVE IN MUNICH |
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October 20, 1977 was a day that would go down in rock n roll history. This was the day that Southern Rock legends LYNYRD SKYNYRD's plane would go down claiming the lives of many of the band members, staff, and roadies. Oh yeah, we still remember those tragic events. The one positive event that the Rock n Roll gods gave us that day was that hard rock veterans RAINBOW sold out a show in Munich, Germany--a performance which was captured for local television show, Rockpalast. At this time, Rainbow was just two years old and Ritchie Blackmore's group had just released their second album, LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL (which would go on to become an ultra classic). So this event is simply a history making performance that neither Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio will ever top. And Eaglevision does what they do best: go back into those musical concert video archives and work their digital restorative magic. Get ready to rock with RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH!
Musically Ritchie Blackmore takes his DEEP PURPLE formula to the extreme! Keyboardist Dave Stone is an amazing classical keyboardist (though not quite intense as Jon Lord). A young Cozy Powell definetly makes you forget all about his DEEP PURPLE progenitor Ian Pace. I've seen Ronnie James Dio (with BLACK SABBATH and DIO) live; I've owned all his live performances (both good and bad), and let me tell you this: His voice here is smoother, clearer, and more operatic than I've ever heard him. Any band of Ritchie Blackmore focuses more on musicianship than song writing, and this RAINBOW performance is no different. Together with the guitar solos, the keyboard solos, and the drum solos, the band stretches out eight songs to eighty minutes of stagetime. Blackmore doesn't hide his love of classical music by incorporating bits of Bach, Beethoven and Gounod (and does a nod to Greensleaves and White Christmas as well!). The set list consists of:
- Kill the King
- Mistreated
- Sixteenth Century Greensleaves
- Catch the Rainbow
- Long Live Rock and Roll
- Man on the Silver Mountain
- StillI 'm Sad
- Do You Close Your Eyes
RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH is presented in full frame format. The picture is stunning considering
its a low-budget video production from 1977.The image is mostly clean with a color pallette that enhances the visual aspects of RAINBOW's extensive stage show (something bands don't do any more today). The picture quality is not perfect: there is some scratches and film grain evident. The audio portion of RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH is worth the price alone. Eagle Vision completely remastered the original mono sound track into THREE awesome sounding soundtracks! The Dolby Digtial 2.0 soundtrack is clean and sharp with solid rich vocals. The bass adds an element of depth to it all. The only thing missing from the DD 2.0 track is directionality across the rear soundfield channels. The Dolby Digital 5.1 fulfills that role perfectly with tight bass and reverbing acoustics. As solid as those two soundtracks are, the DTS 5.1 soundtrack steals the show. With this soundtrack option, the guitar licks are more dazzling, Cozy Powell's drumming pummels you in DTS. And Dio's vocals cut thru the musical precision like a buzzsaw. From the Extras menu, there is a 20 minute interview with bassist Bob Daisley who reminisces about the show. You can view a photo slide show of the band in action. There is a short interview with tour manager Colin Hart. And three rare music video's from the LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL album (GATES OF BABYLON, L.A. CONNECTION,and LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL).Eagle Vision's DVD production of RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH is very highly recommended. There isn't really a week spot on the disk. This disc has everything, superior video quality, three outstanding soundtracks, and a plethora of extra material, and even some impressive packaging and liner notes. Let's hope that Eagle Vision can follow up the high standards of RAINBOW LIVE IN MUNICH.
RAINBOW : LIVE IN MUNICH is available from DVDEmpire.com
-- Jason the Mason
| Movie: |
4.5 |
| Video: |
3.5 |
| Audio: |
5.0 |
| Extras: |
3.5 |
| Overall: |
4.5 |
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