Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -- Black Masquerade CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1995, having left Deep Purple for good, Ritchie Blackmore took a band of unknowns out on the road in support of Stranger In Us All -- the final album by his other legendary group, Rainbow. The album and tour featured Doogie White on lead vocals, a man who had the unenviable task of filling the vocal shoes of Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet and Joe Lynn Turner. The band also included a young Candice Night, now the lead singer in Blackmore's Night and Ritchie Blackmore's wife and songwriting partner. Rainbow was recorded live on a stop on the German television program, Rockpalast. That show makes up the new CD, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -- Black Masquerade.

Read the rest of the review at www.blindedbysound.com by clicking here.

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -- Black Masquerade DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

The mid-1990s were a period of major change for Ritchie Blackmore. In 1993, he left the reformed Deep Purple -- a band with which he had a love-hate relationship for some time -- for good and set out to record a solo album. The album featured largely unknown musicians and record company pressure forced Blackmore's hand by insisting he call this lineup Rainbow to sell more records. The lineup turned out to be the group's final to date and the album, Stranger In Us All, featured Doogie White on lead vocals and Blackmore's future wife and musical partner, Candice Night, on background vocals. The band hit the road, and a 1995 visit to Germany was broadcast on Rockpalast. Long available as a bootleg, the show is finally getting an official release as Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -- Black Masquerade.

Read the rest of the review at www.blindedbysound.com by clicking here.

Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977 DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1977, Rainbow was on tour in Vienna, Austria, when trouble struck. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore didn't take too kindly to a bouncer getting physical with fans and expressed his displeasure by drenching him in beer. Blackmore's actions got him a night in jail, which posed a problem as the band was set to be filmed the following night in Munich. Luckily for fans, the next night was available and the band was filmed as scheduled for the German TV show Rockpalast. That show makes up the DVD, Rainbow -- Live in Munich 1977, and is the only complete concert on film from the Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio and Cozy Powell lineup of the band.

Read the rest of the review at www.blindedbysound.com by clicking here.

Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977 CD Review

Written by General Jabbo

In 1977, Rainbow was filmed live in Munich, Germany, for an appearance on the Rockpalast television show. The show, recorded not long before Ronnie James Dio's final album with the band, Long Live Rock 'N' Roll, was released was, by many accounts, a stunning performance. The audio of this show has been newly remastered for the CD, Rainbow -- Live In Munich 1977.

Read the rest of the review at www.blindedbysound.com by clicking here.

Blackmore's Night - "Paris Moon" DVD Review

Written by General Jabbo

It’s been over 10 years since Ritchie Blackmore left the final incarnation of Rainbow to form Blackmore’s Night – a fusion of Renaissance music, folk music, and rock and roll that really can’t be classified as any one of them, yet has elements of all of them. Paris Moon captures the band live during their first trip to France at the famed Olympia Theatre in Paris.

Led by vocalist Candice Night, Paris Moon features two hours of highlights from the band’s entire catalog including “Play Minstrel Play,” “World of Stone,” “Renaissance Faire” – a sort of call-to-arms for the band’s fans, many of whom, like the members of Blackmore’s Night, dress in Renaissance-period clothing and “Ariel” featuring Blackmore on his famous Fender Stratocaster – the guitar itself getting an ovation.

The band also runs through a number of cover songs, including Jethro Tull’s “Rainbow Blues,” Joan Baez’ “Diamonds and Rust,” Joan Osborne’s “Saint Teresa,” and even a song from the David Coverdale-era of Deep Purple, “Soldier of Fortune.” Night teases the crowd before “Soldier,” saying, “you might have heard a rumor that Ritchie was in one or two bands before this one.” Night makes the songs her own with her haunting, emotive vocals.

All of the musicians in Blackmore’s Night are given their chance to shine during the show and their love for this music is apparent – especially Night, who is beaming throughout.

The DVD has several audio options, including 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS and 2.0 stereo. The DVD features a short documentary about the band where Blackmore describes the “snobbery” he and Night deal with from fans of Renaissance, folk, and rock music who complain that it isn’t really any of those. What the band is trying to create is something new out of familiar elements. Also included is a photo gallery with photos from the show, set to “Streets of London,” sung by Night in French.

Included with the DVD is a CD containing nine tracks from the concert, as well as a studio version of “The Village Lanterne” and a radio edit of “All Because of You.”

Captured in widescreen, Paris Moon is beautifully filmed and with its Renaissance-themed stage show, is as much a joy to watch as the songs are to listen to. For fans of Ritchie Blackmore, or of Blackmore’s Night, Paris Moon is a must-own DVD.