Notes

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Like some gangly newly-born baby antelope on the cruel African savannah just before some heartless lion, cheetah, or hyena eats its ass, this version of the band was just finding its legs. The songs are good, but the energy is lacking a bit. Man on the Silver Mountain kicks ass live, but is pretty subdued here. Catch the Rainbow and Temple of the King are nice slow songs that don't agitate, which is a compliment from me. The fairly funky Snake Charmer sounds like a song that belongs on Deep Purple's Stormbringer, but unlike most of the songs on that album it doesn't suck, so I'm guessing Blackmore kept that one for himself for use on a future solo project. The rest of the songs are solid if generic mid-70's hard rock. If you like cowbell playing, get this album, there's enough use of it on here.

Rainbow includes: Ronnie James Dio (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar). After British maestro guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1974, he recruited Purple Records signees Elf as his backing band. And although Rainbow's 1975 debut was only a hint of future greatness, the album more than holds its own. Elf was led by dramatic metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who seemed to connect with Blackmore in quite a chemical fashion. "Man on the Silver Mountain" is prime material, as is the six-minute blues-metal classic "Catch the Rainbow." Dio's shining vocals, shown to great effect here, have been emulated by hard rock vocalists throughout the years. "The Temple of the King" is another highlight, showcasing Blackmore's emotional guitar licks. "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" is the group's ode to medieval times. "Still I'm Sad" is an instrumental jam that closes the album. Blackmore's fretwork, while speedy, comes from the heart. Although Rainbow's incarnations would change through the years, the drive and energy of the original lineup holds a special place in hard rock history. A worthy purchase for the connoisseurs of the genre.