For only the second time in history, Harrison Kopp and Mike Ladano appear together on another show!  With Rock Daydream Nation being the first to record the pair, John the Music Nut is second to know a good team when he sees one!  In the past, Harrison and Mike have only appeared separately on other programs, such as Tim’s Vinyl Confessions, bicyclelegs and of course Rock Daydream Nation.  It pleases me greatly to finally join Harrison on another show.

The Music Nut asked Harrison and I what albums we’d be interested in covering on his series, The Live Cut?  Without much deliberation, we settled upon Boston 1981, an archival live album by Rainbow.   Featuring a personal favourite lineup, it’s Ritchie Blackmore with Joe Lynn Turner, Don Airey, Bobby Rondinelli and Roger Glover.  The Difficult To Cure tour featured a number of new songs, along with a smattering of songs from the Dio and Graham Bonnet eras, with one Deep Purple cover.  We compare the album to other Rainbow live offers, and dissect the performances by each member of the band.

This is an album that, like many, I purchased, listened to, and filed away.  It was a pleasure to dig it up and listen to it intently for a few days.

My show notes are at bottom, but please watch this awesome episode on the Music Nut Channel!

 

 

 

Spotlight Kid – Straightforward version, Joe in peak voice.  Don Airey really shows why he was the guy to replace Lord in Purple, with his organ work off the top.

Love’s No Friend –  Striking version.  First Graham track and Joe handles it just fine (if not better).  Loads of solos and Airey organ.  Joe’s vocal is very bluesy and expressive.  Roger on backing vocals?  TOP Blackmore blues solo.

I Surrender – “Harpichord” intro but a straightforward version.  Blacker’s solo is slow, low and fun.

Man On the Silver Mountain – first foray into Dio – nice Don Airey organ screech at the start.  I hate when Joe sings “take my spirits hiiiiiiigh!” but it is toned down a bit on this version.  Very short version.

Catch the Rainbow – 14 minutes.  I like Joe’s vocal take on this classic.  Don also sounds very regal. Slows down for long solo section around 6 minutes.  Blackmore plays with band for a bit and then a true solo begins unaccompanied.  Goes into Greensleeves.  Band comes crashing back in for more instrumental brilliance.  Lots of pick scrapes, awesome licks, drum fills.   Joe has a long vocal workout (“Let it shine!”) at the end.

Can’t Happen Here – Another short fire cracker, a welcome break.

Lost In Hollywood – Starts with a cool Airey solo and then Blackmore brings the riff, faster and heavier than album.  The noise solo at the end is always interesting to me in a noise-art way.

Difficult to Cure – The usual.  6:45 version.  Does all the things you expect it to do.  Long Bobby Rondinelli drum solo, nothing special.

Long Live Rock N’ Roll – Feels more melodic than the older versions.  Joe really stretches out.  Lots of jamming and instrumental work.

Smoke on the Water – Includes Lazy, Woman From Tokyo.