Track Listing

1. Intro: Over The Rainbow / Kill The King
2. Medley: Man On The Silver Mountain
3. Catch The Rainbow
4. Mistreated
5. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
6. Still I'm Sad

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3733 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 64 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
When Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple, they barely skipped a beat replacing him. And he barely skipped a beat forming Rainbow, a mirror image of his old band. Vocalist Ronnie James Dio, though, provided Blackmore with a clipped, howl-free voice, hardening Rainbow's sound considerably despite the presence of Mellotron, organ, and other keyboards. By the time it released On Stage, the band had developed its dominion: songs about killing kings, men on silver mountains, and women locked in towers. Subjects were grandiose and the execution heavy, even ponderous. But there's charm in the way Dio intones, "Do you waaant some love? / Well, here we are to give you love," as Blackmore strums in the background. But Dio and Blackmore turn to hard, hard rock with the sprawling "Man on the Silver Mountain" and slow, sad-sack blues with "Mistreated". For gear-heads, there's a full accounting of the band's equipment on the back cover. This re-mastered edition boasts a warmer sound, but who needs warmth with that big guitar spilling over onto your shirt and shoes while the crowd claps along? --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Simply the Best!
Quite simply this is Blackmore and Dio at their best, not to mention fine contributions from the Bain-Powell-Carey trio. It was indeed Rainbow's classic line-up. Opening up with a powerful rendition of one of Rainbow's best songs, 'Kill the King' (after a fun 'Wizard of Oz' intro), they then move on to a terrific medley, the highlight of which is the Blackmore-Carey inspired 'Blues' piece. There are so many great performances on this album. The cover version of 'Mistreated' is way better than any version Deep Purple ever did but the creme de la creme has to be 'Catch the Rainbow'. This is a monster version of this track which includes a wailing Blackmore solo that must rate as one of his best. In the middle, the solo halts into momentary silence (you could hear a pin drop) before Ritchie kicks off again. Absolute genius. Dio's voice is seldom better and he is superb throughout, particularly during his inter-action with the crowd during 'Man on the Silver Mountain'. Other than the slight disappointing absence of the line-up's best track, 'Stargazer,' this live album is a masterpiece. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. Why Ritchie split up the 1976-77 line-up as soon as he did I'll never know.....

Blackmore & Dio at their best
Though many edits from different tapes have contributed to the near perfect versions of this array of classic's, it is an essential for any Ritchie or Ronnie fan. Quite simply, you won't find either Blackmore or Dio in better form on any other product they have graced, hard to believe but I do rate this more than 'Made in Japan' as a live album. Why hasn't anyone released the Munich 77 footage on video to accompany this I don't know, it would serve justice to this classic lineup at their peak and show those of us who didn't witness this band just what we missed.

Oh to have seen this Live! Rainbow On Stage and ON FIRE!
This Live CD captures Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow at their peak and every band member gives a scorching performance.I have had this album for 15 years and it still gets thrashed as it has complete power even in the quieter moments.It's a true concert album and a must have if you're a fan of Ronnie James Dio,Ritchie Blackmore or the late great Cozy Powell.Their musicianship is awesome.Kill the King and Mistreated are stunning.Most tracks are ten minutes plus and there's never a dull moment.Check it out you definitely won't be in Kansas anymore!.