As a build up to the forthcoming remaster series, we get another Rainbow compilation, but this is one with a difference.

With full cooperation from the Ritchie Blackmore fanclub editor, this 28 track collection takes in all the classics and more. There are tracks here all will recognise, many really are essential listening.

Disc one covers the Dio years, the debut being a good album but all will agree it was Rainbow Rising that was a highlight, not just for Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow, but for British hard rock in general. Blackmore’s guitar was matched by the entire band; listen to the solo in “A Light In The Black”, where he plays his ass off and still gets it kicked by drummer Cozy Powell and keyboardist Tony Carey. A unique chemistry that was just so right. The live material is good too, with “Kill The King” another standout.

Disc 2 is the more commercial period of Rainbow, and while the tracklist on disc 1 writes itself, here things have gone awry a little. There’s still some fantastic material, Graham Bonnet a superb vocalist, and with Roger Glover, Don Airey and Cozy Powell coming together on “Eyes Of The World” and “Since You Been Gone” it was a mouth watering combination. The Joe Lynn Turner material was poppier but good too, “I surrender” stands out and even the material from “Bent Out Of Shape” is smooth, enjoyable if at the power pop end of hard rock. But for casual listening, most I’m sure would prefer the original “All Night Long” rather than the Turner fronted live b-side. That said, it’s good that some of these rarities have made to CD at long last, and as a bonus there is the previously unreleased live version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”.

The set is well packaged, excellent sleevenotes and each track documented. A lot of compilations could learn from that.

****½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com