In the tradition of similar boxes for Deep Purple and Dio, Universal Records has released a 19-CD box set replicating the singles offering by legendary hard rock outfit RAINBOW, entitled “The Singles Box Set 1975-1986“.
Formed toward the end of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s tenure with Deep Purple in 1975, Rainbow was a meticulously-coordinated rock band, inspired by the chord progression of classical music. Adding greatly to the mix was the versatile vocalizations of lead singer Ronnie James Dio (whose previous band Elf was the backbone of the first Rainbow album).
The lineup changed mightily over the years, most notably with Dio’s departure in 1978 and Blackmore’s decision to move the band toward a more mainstream, melodic hard rock sound. The group’s journey ended in 1984 when Blackmore reunited with Deep Purple, though he would use the name again in the mid-Nineties with all-new members.
This collection covers the entire Rainbow lifespan and give equal measure to the three Rainbow frontman, Dio, Bonnett and Turner. Each singer takes Rainbow in a different direction and Blackmore plays all these variations with ease, from the Fantasy inspired era of the late great Dio, the hard rock kick Bonnet years and then finally the more commercial sounding Turner era.
Each one of these incarnations has delivered some cracking albums and the singles really just picked themselves.
“The Singles Box Set 1975-1986” is definitely a collectible package raising the bar for this type of releases, featuring no fewer than 19 compact discs, all in repro original LP sleeves.
If you’re thinking that seems a lot, you’d be right as they’ve doubled up the set to include numerous non UK releases as well, including singles from the Netherlands, USA, Germany and Japan.
All is housed in a splendid rigid box with lift-off lid, presenting a full color 32 page booklet featuring detailed annotations on each release, sleeve notes by Rainbow expert Andy Francis, and the whole thing was freshly remastered.
This Limited Collector’s Edition came out excellent, especially very first singles, enhanced on all their dynamics. It’s not cheap, but they sound great, sharp and the remastering delivers a fuller, wider soundscape.
For those who want to marvel at Rainbow’s evolution over a near decade-long period (not to mention the replica single sleeves from different countries), this is the set for you.
CD ONE
1. Man On The Silver Mountain (7” Edit)
2. Snake Charmer
CD TWO
1. Still I’m Sad
2. Temple Of The King
CD THREE
1. Man On The Silver Mountain
2. Snake Charmer
3. If You Don’t Like Rock ‘N’ Roll
4. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
CD FOUR
1. Starstruck
2. Run With The Wolf
CD FIVE
1. Kill The King (Live / Edit – On Stage)
2. Man On The Silver Mountain (Live – On Stage)
3. Mistreated (Live / 7” Edit – On Stage)
CD SIX
1. Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
2. Sensitive to Light
CD SEVEN
1. LA Connection (7” Edit)
2. Lady of the Lake
CD EIGHT
1. Since You Been Gone
2. Bad Girl
CD NINE
1. Since You Been Gone
2. No Time To Lose
CD TEN
1. All Night Long
2. Weiss Heim
CD ELEVEN
1. I Surrender
2. Vielleicht Das Nächster Zeit (Maybe Next Time)
CD TWELVE
1. Difficult To Cure
2. Can’t Happen Here (7” Edit)
3. Jealous Lover
CD THIRTEEN
1. Magic
2. Freedom Fighter
CD FOURTEEN
1. Can’t Happen Here (7” Edit)
2. Jealous Lover
CD FIFTEEN
1. Stone Cold
2. Rock Fever
CD SIXTEEN
1. Death Alley Driver
2. Tite Squeeze
CD SEVENTEEN
1. Street Of Dreams
2. Anybody There
3. Power (Live at the Convention Center, San Antonio)
CD EIGHTEEN
1. Can’t Let You Go (7” Edit)
2. All Night Long (Live at David’s Hall, Cardiff)
3. Stranded (Live at David’s Hall, Cardiff)
CD NINETEEN
1. Bad Girl
2. Spotlight Kid (Live at Budokan, Tokyo)
3. Man On The Silver Mountain (Live)