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DIO
Astoria, London 22 October 2005

An evening of nostalgia, tonight presented by a great showman and some fantastic musicians. Ronnie James Dio has some history and a pedigree that are worth relishing in, and a packed Astoria (a crowd of all ages) loved every second of it. Come to think of it, the band looked like they did too.

Kicking off with some classic Rainbow (the keyboard intro working everyone into a frenzy), Dio and Sabbath, we are then treated to the entire debut Dio album Holy Diver, recently reissued, with an introduction projected onto a screen with some neat and devilish CGI.

The whole album, in original running order, is enthusiastically received, excellently performed, and an utter joy from beginning to end. Simon Wright’s drum solo included Jupiter (from Holst’s Planet Suite), the sort of thing Cozy Powell did with the 1812 Overture.

Don’t Talk To Strangers featured some blistering guitar work from Doug Aldrich, and an extended Shame On The Night featured guitar and keyboard solos, and some solid work from bassist Rudy Sarzo, before a reprise of the title track.

More Rainbow, and Gates Of Babylon was dedicated to Cozy Powell, and the rhythmic Sabbath classic Heaven And Hell had everyone singing along.

Two more Rainbow tracks in the first encore met with rapture, and closing with Dio’s We Rock was fitting.

Nostalgia indeed, but it’s from an era well worth celebrating. This was one memorable celebration.

Set List:

Tarot Woman- Sign Of The Southern Cross - One Night In The City - Stand Up And Shout - Holy Diver - Gypsy - Drum solo (including Holst’s Jupiter) - Caught In The Middle - Don’t Talk To Strangers - Straight Through The Heart - Inivisible - Rainbow In The Dark - Shame On The Night (including guitar and keyboard solos) - Holy Diver (reprise) - Gates Of Babylon - Heaven And Hell

Encore 1:

Man On The Silver Mountain - Long Live Rock’n’Roll

Encore 2:

We Rock - Tarot Woman Sign Of The Southern Cross - One Night In The City - Stand Up And Shout - Holy Diver - Gypsy - Drum solo (including Holst’s Jupiter) - Caught In The Middle - Don’t Talk To Strangers - Straight Through The Heart - Inivisible - Rainbow In The Dark - Shame On The Night (including guitar and keyboard solos) - Holy Diver (reprise) - Gates Of Babylon - Heaven And Hell

Review: Joe Geesin