by Brian D. Holland.

This is the long awaited Rainbow concert filmed at Olympiahalle, in Munich, Germany, on October 20th, 1977. It’s truly an Octoberfest to remember, and no doubt the best live footage ever released of the amazing band. Though it’s on CD as well, the DVD is the media to obtain because of the visual aspect and added content.

"Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. We must be over the rainbow."

Following the spoken and instrumental introduction from the infamous Hollywood fantasy, the musical tour-de-force begins. The intro is fitting, not only because of the rainbow reference, but also because of the fantasy-like atmosphere the band projects, both musically and lyrically.

‘Kill The King’ opens the show, a version that’s swift and thunderous. With a raucous intro of its own, Ritchie Blackmore and company fire away on all cylinders, making way for the powerful, theatrical voice of Ronnie James Dio, who’s often looked upon as one of the best voices in metal-rock history. That recognizable Stratocaster tone dawns the extended intro to ‘Mistreated’, the familiar Blackmore penned tune performed over the years by both Deep Purple and Blackmore’s Rainbow. Dio belts the vocal out in powerful fashion. As most would surmise, Blackmore eventually takes the controls and soars off in spectral tangents. For the next one, he takes viewers on a romp through the Middle Ages with a nine-minute ‘Sixteenth Century Greensleeves’, originally done on the band’s first record, 1975s ‘Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’. The DVD is awash with fantastic music, set onstage beneath the enormous, brilliant rainbow.

Initially, I had thought that a few of the songs would have fit perfectly in today’s ‘jam band’ setting. However, thinking about that, I remembered that everything was ‘jam band’ back in those days anyway. Long arrangements heavy on instrumental proficiency were a way of life. ‘Catch The Rainbow’ is a fetching eighteen minutes, while ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’ clocks in at sixteen. Blackmore is amazing throughout this one, as he delves into an assortment of playing styles. ‘Still I’m Sad’ is a whopping twenty-seven minutes and thirty-three seconds, a Cozy Powell drum solo contributing graciously to that extension. All of these cuts are thrilling and electrifying, both musically and vocally.

The video is amazingly good considering it was made in 1977. Besides the overhead rainbow, much of the stage is in darkness, save for spotlights highlighting what’s happening at any given moment. Though the audio is very good, it contains a live ambience that’s nearly outdated in today’s high-tech, studio quality DVD’s. It conveys that ‘sitting in the audience’ atmosphere, which can be an excellent feature when the acoustics are good, and they are.

Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977 is an excellent DVD, not only for Rainbow fans in general but for Ritchie Blackmore fans of any era. Much of what is on the video is some of his best captured guitar work. The rest of the band is superb as well. Some have a tendency to forget the driving force that Ronnie James Dio was in the band. He shines here. In addition, it’s awesome just to get another glimpse of the late, great Cozy Powell in action. This brings back memories. The added bonus features and interviews make it more than worth it.

DVD Contents

1. Introduction 1:44

2. Kill The King 4:42

3. Mistreated 11:49

4. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves 8:52

5. Catch The Rainbow 18:14

6. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll 8:04

7. Man On The Silver Mountain 16:25

8. Still I’m Sad 27:33

Bonus Features
1. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll 3:54
2. Gates Of Babylon 6:37
3. L. A. Connection 5:12
Colin Hart Interview
Bob Daisley Interview
Photo Gallery
Slide Show with Audio

Rainbow is:
Ritchie Blackmore: guitar
Ronnie James Dio: vocals
Cozy Powell: drums
Bob Daisley: bass
David Stone: keyboards

Eagle Rock Entertainment 2006

Links
Purchase Rainbow Live In Munich 1977 on Amazon.com