Released by: Niji Ent Group
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Heavy Metal
Links: http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/
Line Up:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Vivian Campbell – Guitar
Craig Goldy – Guitar
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Claude Schnell – Keyboards
Tracklist:
CD 1: 1983
01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Straight Through The Heart
03. Children Of The Sea
04. Rainbow In The Dark
05. Holy Diver
06. Drum Solo
07. Stargazer
08. Guitar Solo
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)
CD 2: 1987
01. Dream Evil
02. Neon Knights
03. Naked In The Rain
04. Rock And Roll Children
05. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
06. The Last In Line
07. Children Of The Sea
08. Holy Diver
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away
12. The Last In Line (Reprise)
13. Rainbow In The Dark
While the capitalization on Dio’s death when it comes to his music and the legacy he leaves behind is of no surprise to anybody. As we have discussed on past reviews for instance on the Heaven and Hell – Neon Knights DVD, there is some good quality recordings that you can trust to represent the artist and there’s some you absolutely will think is trash. One particular release that was issued by the group that Dio and his wife Wendy had created and is certainly not of poor quality. The Ninji foundation released recently the live retrospect highlights of Ronnie from his performances at Donington UK 1983 and his 1987 Masters of Rock festival.
It is to no body’s surprise to have discovered a live release from Dio as his performances we’re always on key and we all know there is nothing like listening to an artist live in it’s own environment. If it’s says Dio on it is usually something worth buying, but in this case if a special occasion to capture him in his prime and witness why the man became a metal icon. Not only is his wondrous voice in top shape, but Ronnie always knew how to pick the best guitar players around and bring on board. In these performances you have the very young Vivian Campbell and Craig Goldy in the 1987 live setting, Goldy which served a few stints through the years shows of his flashy guitar shredding style with superb entitltement.
Some much music to treasure here and you dig into a classic Dio staple from the “Holy Diver” record “Stand Up and Shout” which even in his later years concerts he would always feature. Of course all the classics are portrayed with emotional and brilliantly stage presence as only Ronnie and company could. “Holy Diver”, “Heaven and Hell” and “Man On The Silver Mountain” are all showcased powerfully. You get your daily dose of Rainbow classics when “Long Live Rock & Roll” a favorite of mine, which you can find on the CD 2 at Monsters of Rock Festival.
Vinny Appice’s powerful drumming has always been a staple of the Dio years with the history of both men going back to the Black Sabbath days. A nice and rare track in “Stargazer” gets some spotlight even if it’s broken down from it’s original studio cut, it was still nice to hear this killer track coming of the Rainbow “Rising” masterpiece. The master metal groove of “The Last In Line” still brings memories of the first time I heard that piece, just something so anonymous about that song, ohh but it gets better Dio manages to incorporate some bits from “The Temple of the King” into one hell of a performance. I don’t care how many times I hear “Heaven and Hell”, it gives it goosebumps every time I hear Ronnie raise his bear crushing voice into the sky.
You can pretty much say that thought about the whole 2 disc set, with a stout job of re mastering these classic Dio era live showcases which all it does its add more to an already legacy that will live on forever. I suspect more material will be release in the future from Niji and to all the army of Dio fans world wide I am glad that these approved recordings come from the people that knew him best. A great release to own for all Ronnie fans and a definite buy for those who never got a chance to experience him live. The legacy will never die and neither will these great treasured moments. Long Live Rock & Roll, Long Live Ronnie James Dio!!!!!!!!!!….
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 9/10
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