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There are artists who over the years assume a central and iconic role within the global rock scene. These artists tend to be mythologized, and their works remain immortal in the collective imagination. This is the case of Ronnie James "Dio," an unparalleled singer with legendary vocal abilities.
A beloved leader and songwriter of an equally loved and famous band of the same name, "Dio," indeed, which boasted collaborations with many musicians and bands (just think of the various reunions with Black Sabbath or appearances in Tenacious D's works). Unfortunately, when an icon like him tragically passes away, his fame and glory live on, which can't help but bring joy to those who have been ready for years to exploit the unfortunate event. And so, from one day to the next, bookstores and music stores are filled with biographies, previously unpublished autobiographies, tributes from other famous bands, and ... never-before-heard live recordings. This double live album, owned by the BBC, belongs precisely to this latter category, providing a full account of the two shows held at Donington Park in 1983 and 1987, as part of the tour for Dio’s debut album (Holy Diver) and the "Dream Evil" tour (considered by many to be one of the best albums produced by the band).
The work is offered at the approximate price of 20 € and presents the purchaser with 25 tracks divided between the two concerts, all housed in a beautiful digipack with photos and illustrations from the era.
The 1983 show features the band in its most famous lineup and thus benefits from the presence of Vinnie Appice on drums and Vivian Campbell on guitar, two musicians who during those years contributed significantly to the creation of the early works of "Dio." The tracklist is a summary of what Ronnie had accomplished in what was already then a very respectable career. We have thus some excerpts from Holy Diver (the opener "Stand Up and Shout," the title track...), pieces from the then-recent Black Sabbath period (among which the excellent "Heaven and Hell" stands out), and even songs from the Rainbow works. The performance is excellent, and every song is well executed and engaging, with Ronnie James Dio at his best, shaping every groan of the crowd into music. The sound is also good, which, despite the age of the live, remains quite clear and powerful (within the usual limits of 80s productions). It’s just a pity about the absence of gems like "Don’t Talk to Strangers" or "Invisible."
The same can be said for the second, more recent performance, where tracks from the excellent "Dream Evil" appear for promotional purposes (even here, the choice of tracks selected to represent the album is debatable; it might have been better to choose faster tracks like "Night People," "Overlove," or "Sunset Superman," instead of the still valid "Naked in the Rain" and the masterpiece ballad "All the Fools Sailed Away"). The sounds are better, though just slightly, but there's an unpleasant hissing sound in the background (at least in my copy) that overlays moments where the instruments fall silent. However, the great advantage of this performance over the first is the presence in the setlist of two classics of the band from the two albums following Holy Diver: "The Last in Line" and "Rock and Roll Children." The latter, in reality, is a medley with "Long Live Rock and Roll," the two songs blend perfectly, demonstrating the continuity of their author through the years. The rest of the live is a succession of medleys and spectacular performances that confirm the great quality of the product.
This posthumous release is a product of excellent quality and great appeal, both for the fan and the newcomer, who can get an idea of what "Dio" was at the time, a true and immortal rock'n'roll band. Recommended
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