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Non-Prog DVD/Video Reviews

Rainbow

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow: Black Masquerade DVD

Review by Greg Olma

This release has been on the bootleg market since 1995. I remember seeing it on video tape and being blown away at how good this version of Rainbow was in a live setting. I was a little bit disappointed in the Strangers In Us All album, so I was not expecting too much from the tour. The record lacked any fire and sounded like a band going through the motions. On stage, it was a much different story. The band played like their lives depended on it and Black Masquerade is a great documentary of the final version of Rainbow.

This DVD is a no frills affair with only the concert and no bonus material. Although I would have liked to see maybe an interview from around 1995 to go along with this release, the actual show is worth the purchase price alone. Even if you have the old video tape, I recommend getting Black Masquerade just so you can have a “clean” copy with great picture and audio quality (not to mention a legal and official copy. We in no way tolerate or condone anyone selling bootleg materials of any act. – ed.).  Doogie White is singing in this version and he does a great job of handling the tunes of his predecessors. He tackles the Dio era with “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll” all the way through the Joe Lynn Turner era with “Spotlight Kid.” The band even performs a few Deep Purple songs, namely “Perfect Strangers,” “Burn,” and “Smoke On The Water.” I could do without the last one but I’m sure I am in the minority. At just slightly over 100 minutes, you definitely get your money’s worth with this DVD.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

 
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