CD/DVD Review: Rainbow – Live In
Munich 1977
Eagle Rock Entertainment
All Access Review: A
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| Rainbow - Live in Munich 1977 2013 |
Ritchie Blackmore had run afoul of the law in Vienna, Austria, after attacking a
bouncer and dousing him in beer because Blackmore didn’t appreciate the way he was
manhandling the patrons. The only problem was his post-Deep Purple project, Rainbow,
was supposed to head to Munich, Germany, for a highly anticipated performance
that was going to be filmed for German TV.
While
Rainbow’s people tried desperately to free Blackmore, they were able to
reschedule the event for September 20, 1977, a day after it was originally slated
to take place. After much legal wrangling and delays, Blackmore got out, and
although he was late in arriving, the legendary guitarist finally made it, none
the worse for wear. Motivated to go out onstage and channel any lingering
frustration into a performance for the ages, Blackmore is simply mesmerizing on
“Live in Munich 1977,” the only known live concert film featuring Rainbow’s
Blackmore-Ronnie James Dio-Cozy Powell lineup.
Out now on a
rather darkly filmed, yet absolutely captivating, DVD and released as both a
double CD and two LPs, the archival “Live in Munich 1977” is dazzling, as
Blackmore puts on a jaw-dropping display of technical brilliance, sounding
remarkably soulful in parts – especially during a meditative, bluesy interlude
in an otherwise explosive 16:25 version of “Man on the Silver Mountain” that
blows your hair back – and electrifying in others. It’s not just his agility
and quickness that astounds, but also his economy of motion and the sense of
purpose in every searing solo or tasty riff. He’s like a calm sniper who never
misses his target, and yet he’s capable of unpredictable, noisy outbursts that
fuel the energetic, raucous romps through “Kill the King” and “Long Live Rock
‘n Roll” – fueled also by David Stone s boiling keyboards.
And he’s
got amazing endurance. Not bound by time restrictions, Rainbow goes off on
long, extended journeys through the 27:33 cathedral of sound “Still I’m Sad”
and sets their controls for a cosmological, almost supernatural exploration of
“Catch the Rainbow” that lasts more than 18 minutes – and not a second of
either seems calculated or pretentious. Neither does their smoky treatment of the Deep Purple number “Mistreated,” which morphs
from soulful,hard-hitting blues-rock into something more melodic and indescribably
spiritual. It’s a devastating performance from Rainbow’s 1977 European tour,
given to a frenzied, clapping, packed crowd that is on the verge of jumping out
of its collective skin.
That’s
the advantage of actually watching this concert, as opposed to simply
experiencing it one-dimensionally with your ears. Despite the aged quality of
the video, it holds up and the camera work is smart, capturing the intensity
and spectacle of Rainbow live with warm, exciting imagery – made all the more
colorful by the massive rainbow lighting rig hanging over the stage, washing it
in bright neon. The close-up shots of a younger Dio savoring every lyric,
shaping the words to his will like a sculptor and delivering them with such deep,
almost shamanistic expression, are riveting, as are the images of Powell laying
waste to his drum kit with complex, yet punishing, patterns and Blackmore
blazing away.
An absolute
barn-burner of a live set, “Live in Munich 1977” also carries with it
historical significance, as Simon Robinson’s superbly written and well-researched
liner notes so effectively illustrate. Augmenting the DVD release are vintage promotional
videos of “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Gates of Babylon” and “L.A. Connection” –
all of them indispensible pieces of heavy-metal nostalgia from a band at the
peak of their powers – and in-depth interviews with Rainbow bassist Bob Daisley
and tour manager Colin Hart. A fascinating feature titled “Rainbow over Texas ‘76”
is also included that offers more in the way of incredibly raw and vital – although very poor quality – concert footage, as well as insightful commentary
and more contextual artifacts for viewers to pore through. Powell’s manic drum
solo and Blackmore’s violent mistreatment of his guitar are visceral delights.
Though
it does not feature the kind of high-definition photography expected of live DVDs
these days, “Live in Munich 1977” – filmed at Munich Olympiahalle – is stunning,
an essential archeological treasure that’s been wonderfully preserved. Long
live rock ‘n roll, indeed. (www.eaglerockent.com)
- – Peter
Lindblad
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