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Rating: After the success of "Rising" and the live album "On Stage", Rainbow returned to the studio in 1978 to record a new album. There were some lineup changes: Carey was replaced by Dave Stone on keyboards, and in place of Bain on bass, B. Daisley joined (though he arrived only when the recordings were practically completed, and the bass on the album was entirely played by Blackmore). With LONG LIVE ROCK N' ROLL, Rainbow presents us with an album that is less epic and majestic, but damn more edgy and catchy. The album, however, does not fail to offer typically "medieval" atmospheres, atmospheres that characterize all Rainbow albums with R.J. Dio on vocals.
Opening the show is the captivating title track, "LONG LIVE ROCK N' ROLL," a true anthem for all the metal fans of that time. Built on a powerful triplet rhythm by Powell, R.J. Dio immediately delivers an excellent performance, very warm and very powerful. The riff and Blackmore's solo are also truly beautiful. The second track is the excellent "LADY OF THE LAKE," driven by a beautiful vocal interpretation by Dio, where a fine slide guitar solo by the Man In Black also finds its place. Also noteworthy is the text, written by Dio, very "medieval" and full of metaphors. After "LADY OF THE LAKE," we move on to "L.A. CONNECTION," a very "Zeppelin-like" track that makes use of the boogie piano. A mediocre song, despite the usual good performance by Dio. The fantastic "GATES OF BABYLON" lifts the album, in my opinion, the best track on the album. Opened with Stone's keyboard sound, the track is based on a very oriental (as is the rest of the text) and evocative riff. Powell's very precise drumming supports Ronnie Dio's voice, in this case very powerful and warm. About halfway through the song, Blackmore unleashes a superb solo (in my opinion one of the best of his entire career), which gives chills (at least to me) with every listen. It is, for me, the song where the true Rainbow sound is concentrated. Right after "GATES OF BABYLON" we move to "KILL THE KING" (already present on "On Stage"), a track where Powell's double bass drum rages and where Blackmore indulges in a very engaging and, at the same time, very theatrical solo. The lyrics speak of a popular revolt against the king's power, as evidenced by the final verses: "The People roar: Strake him down, take his crown, Kill The King". "THE SHED (SUBTLE)" is the worst track on the whole cd. After an initial solo by Blackmore, a binary rhythmic section by Powell, not very convincing, subsequently inserts itself. Dio's very good performance is not enough to save this track from mediocrity, which is still listenable and catchy. "SENSITIVE TO LIGHT" is a very catchy speed-song. Driven by a nice riff by Blackmore and a very fast and powerful rhythmic section, "SENSITIVE TO LIGHT" is direct and immediate, hard to forget (thanks to Dio's usual, excellent performance). It closes with the third masterpiece of the album, the slow and melodic "RAINBOW EYES," in which only Ritchie and an orchestra of violins accompany Dio's warm voice (here in the mesmerizing role of the minstrel) in a very reflective and introspective track.
After the album's promotional tour, Ronnie Dio left Rainbow to join Black Sabbath and then continue with a glorious solo career.
In general, the album is a bit uneven, alternating fantastic episodes with some somewhat mediocre tracks. It is, however, a very good cd, which should not be missing from your cd collection if you are a fan of the band.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Lady of the Lake (03:39)
There's a magical sound slidin' over the ground
Makin' it shiver and shake
And a permanent cry fallin' out of the sky
Slippery and sly like a snake
With a delicate move kind of shifty and smooth
A shadow has covered the light
Then a beam in the shade from a silvery blade
Has shattered the edge of the night
I know she waits below
Only to rise on command
When she comes for me
She's got my life in her hands
When a movement behind hit the side of my mind
I trembled and shook it away
Then another assault and I started to faulter
Fibres of steel turned to clay
With a bubbly turn now the water should churn
And push it way from the core
And a lady in white will bring sun to the night
Brighter than ever before
I know she waits below
Only to rise on command
When she comes for me
She's got my life in her hands
Lady of the lake
There's a magical sound slidin' over the ground
Makin' it shiver and shake
And a permanent cry fallin' out of the sky
Slippery and sly like a snake
With a delicate move kind of shifty and smooth
A shadow has covered the light
Then a beam in the shade from a slivery blade
Has shattered the edge of the night
Straight down I'm swirling around
Blinded and bruised by the strain
There must be some way to see
Diamonds out of the rain
I know she waits below
Only to rise on command
When she comes for me
She's got my life in her hands
Lady of the lake
03 L.A. Connection (05:02)
Oh, carry home my broken bones and lay me down to rest
Forty days of cries and moans I guess I've failed to pass the test
I've been sent away not a thing to say
I'm banished from the fold
I'm a fallen angel who's lost his wings and left out in the cold
Ooooh L.A. connection
Oh L.A. connection
L.A. connection, yeah
Operator place a call keep secret but it through
Investigator knows it all he's at the window I wonder who
I've got to cut the line and let me drift find a haven in the storm
I got no time I need a lift to where it's sweet and close and warm
I say
Ooooh L.A. connection
Oh L.A. connection
L.A. connection
Hey, carry home my broken bones and lay me down to rest
Forty days of cries and moans well I've just failed the test
Feel I'm balanced on the brim should I lean another way
Like a flame that's going on the dim needs blessing from the day, oh
Ooooh L.A. connection, L.A. connection
Oh take me away I got nothing to say
It's got to be an L.A. connection, oh
Ooooh L.A. connection, L.A. connection
Ooooh, L.A., L.A., L.A., L.A., L.A. connection
Connection, oh
Ooooh L.A. connection, L.A. connection
Oh L.A., oh, L.A. connection
L.A., L.A. inspection
Ooooh L.A. connection, L.A. connection
Oh I'm down, oh I'm down
I can't take a rejection
L.A., need an L.A. connection
L.A., yeah, oh L.A. connection
L.A. connection
I'm flying away
Take me back home, I gotta get home to L.A.
L.A., L.A. connection, L.A.
Oh, L.A. connection, L.A. connection
Ooooh, ooooh, L.A. connection, L.A.
04 Gates of Babylon (06:49)
Look away from the sea
I can take you anywhere
Spend a vision with me
A chase with the wind
Move closer to me
I can make you anyone
I think you're ready to see
The gates to babylon
The power of what has been before
Rises to trap you within
A magic carpet ride a genie maybe more
A city of heavenly sin
Sleep with the devil and then you must pay
Sleep with the devil, the devil will take you away
Oh gates of babylon
You can see but you're blind
Someone turned the sun around
But you can see in your mind
The gates of babylon
You're riding the endless caravan
Bonded and sold as a slave
A saber dance removing all the veils
Getting as good as you gave
Sleep with the devil and then you must pay
Sleep with the devil, the devil will take you away
Look away from the sea
I can take you anywhere
Spend a vision with me
A chase with the wind
Move closer to me
I can make you anyone
I think you're ready to see
The gates of babylon
The power of what has been before
Rises to trap you within
A magic carpet ride a genie maybe more
A city of heavenly sin
Sleep with the devil and then you must pay
Sleep with the devil, the devil will take you away
Black gates of babylon
The devil is me
And I'm holding the key
To the gates of sweet hell
Babylon
05 Kill the King (04:29)
Danger, danger the Queen's about to kill
There's a stranger, stranger and life about to spill
Oh no move me out of harm
I need a spell and a charm
Fly like the wind
I'm no pawn, so be gone, speed on and on
Kill the King
Tear him down
Chorus:
Kill the King
Strike him down
Power, power it happens every day
Power, devour all along the way
Oh no move me out of harm
I need a spell and a charm
Fly like the wind
I'm no pawn, so be gone, speed on and on
Kill the King
Treason, treason, the spectre looms again
Treason, reason, the realm is safe and then
Oh no move away from harm
I need a spell and a charm
Fly like the rainbow
I'm no pawn, so be gone, speed on and on
Chorus:
Kill the King
Tear him down
Kill the King
Got to take his crown
Chorus:
Kill the King
He'll rule no more
Strike him dead
The people roar
Kill the King
Take his head
Down, down, down, down
Oh, kill, oh, kill, oh, oh
06 The Shed (Subtle) (04:47)
I'm like a freight train
Feelin' no pain
I never turn back one track
Better step aside
Like a shotgun
I'm really someone
You'll feel my heatwave
Won't save anyone near to me
I'm steel
So come and try to bend me if you can, hah
I don't feel
Before you know it it's over
Get out of my way
I'm street walking, street walking
Night stalking, I'm street walking
No reputation
You better quick run
Cause I got no time I'll climb
All over you
You need a strong hand
To be a mean man
You've got to think fast
I'll last longer than you could know
I'm steel
So won't you come and try to bend me if you can
I don't feel
Before you know it it's over
Out of my way
I'm street walking
Hey, I'm a wild cat
Don't need to prove that
I'm always howlin' prowlin'
Stalkin' my prey
It could be your night
To feel the dog bite
And hear the slashing, crashin'
Tearin' inside of you
I'm steel
So come and try to break me if you can, no way
Like a wheel
About to roll you over
Get out of my way
I'm street walkin', street walkin'
No talkin', street walking
Night stalking, street walking
No talkin', I'm street walkin', yeah
Street walkin', street walkin'
Night stalking, street walking
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Other reviews
By XBend
"Long Live Rock n Roll is a track where Blackmore’s predominant Deep Purple style is perfectly audible."
"Rainbow Eyes is one of the most beautiful songs in Rainbow’s entire discography and a perfect conclusion to Dio’s era."
By Tragopano
LLRnR thus serves as a connecting element, and as often happens in these cases, the result loses a bit of cohesion.
Kill the King and Rainbow Eyes represent the best this group has managed to give during its first phase.
