Finyl Vinyl

I bought the original double vinyl offering in a gatefold sleeve when it first came out (1986?). I agree with another reviewer in that the graphics transfer is absolutely appalling. Very dark and almost out of focus. I've never had it on CD, so the digital version I have on my Mac is a low bit rate vinyl rip from many moons ago. The first CD is mostly a Joe Lynn Turner line-up live set and, as such, it's OK (the guitar at the end of Tearing Out My Heart is superb). I never took to Joelene, I'm afraid - too "Foreigner clone"/screechy, preachy American for me. The last two tracks on CD 1 are a live version of Since You've Been Gone from Donnington 1980 and a B-side Bad Girl, both of which feature Graham Bonnet. Why he was replaced by Joelene is a mystery, as he is a far superior singer. CD2 is a mix of Joelene era live stuff, including a splendid Difficult to Cure with an orchestra, and a couple of Ronnie Dio era live tracks from the Long Live Rock 'n' Roll tour - great singing, great guitar. However, the absolute gem of the package is the instrumental Weiss Heim from the Down To Earth sessions. Possibly Blackmore's finest hour (discuss) although it is a good job Beethoven is not around, or he would be suing for royalties - Don Airey, I'm looking at you.

Originally a double LP (hence the title) this definitely isn't a "best of" - other, more obvious compilations do that job. This was produced shortly after the band disbanded and very much with Rainbow fans in mind, including rare b-sides and previously unheard live versions of songs from most of the various line ups of the group. I'm not a big fan of the Joe Lynn Turner-era (which is well represented) but all the numbers featuring that line-up work well in the context of this collection, especially the opener, 'Spotlight Kid'. The jewel and absolute highlight though is the stunning live version of 'Difficult To Cure', complete with full orchestra and killer soloing around Beethoven's 9th Symphony from Richie Blackmore. It's excellence is closely followed by the beautiful b-side, 'Weiss Heim' the instrumental closer to an impressive and much played album. The mastering across the 2 CD's is very good, considering the multiple source material from studio and live recordings but dock one star for poor packaging, no sleeve notes and printing so dark you can barely see the photos which looked excellent on the original double album. Overall though, highly recommended for the Rainbow connoisseur!

I was very impressed with the product thanks

Vivid colours to this Rainbow Long Live Rock&Roll extravaganza even with the fact the album track order requires re-configuring the playing order Difficult To Cure should always close the show as.the finale piece.only on cd can that happen here

Im a big rainbow fan, It was a sad day when the end came, good album, not quite as good as Rainbow on Stage,but I do like the vocals of Joe Lynn Turner

I wanted this album purely for the track Weiss Heim. The rest of the album is fine also. Such a shame Ritchie Blackmore is no longer with us.

Finyl Vinyl by Rainbow it's a great live CD, but I prefer a lot more Ronnie James Dio, Blackmore's at his best!

An excellent product and service thank you