(Kayos) Eagle Rock have announced a August 23rd release date for the reissue of Rainbow's Live In Germany 1976 in a special two CD.

The eight-song concert is the definitive early onstage statement of a great band whose personnel shape-shifted through the years. This particular lineup is looked upon as the primo Rainbow assemblage.

Lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had left Deep Purple in 1975 to concentrate on a more personalized version of his vision, and did just that with legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010), drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Jimmy Bain and keyboardist Tony Carey. (This lineup only recorded one album together: Rising, a landmark in British Rock.)

Performing flawlessly on elongated jam-happy versions of "Kill The King," "Mistreated," "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves," "Catch The Rainbow" (disc #1), "Man On The Silver Mountain," "Stargazer," "Still I'm Sad" and "Do You Close Your Eyes" (disc #2), Blackmore fulfilled his every expectation. Filled with startling guitar solos and massive Dio lung power, Live In Germany 1976 is a band in full control of their capabilities.

Live In Germany 1976 has all the elements, showcasing a band truly immeasurable in their talent and musical abilities. One can only wonder what kind of magic could have been produced had this lineup stayed together.



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058U80J0/?tag=imwan-20

I'm fairly sure I used to have this when it was issued on the Masoleum Classix label in the 90's (maybe around 1996 or so). I got rid of it right away because the sound quality was crap. Not bootleg level, but a very poor mix. I'm curious if this is the same thing and if it is, whether they cleaned it up or not. Probably not.

I had it too and traded it in after 1 or 2 listens .

We need a good release with the Down to Earth line-up already.

Yeah, I got rid of it too, long ago. It did have a nice booklet, though.

Yeah, I used to have this too and thought it sounded atrocious, like you guys are saying. Think I got rid of it long ago but it might be in a box someplace....