A Blackmore Purple/Rainbow revival was well overdue, in whatever physical form his band takes. Legendary guitarist and founding member Ritchie Blackmore assembled a top-notch clutch of musicians to keep the name(s) alive and kicking. Firstly, singer Ronnie Romero holds every night note like a newborn and treats the gargantuan opportunity handed to him with both respect and attitude along with some king kong sized cahoones chucked over his broad shoulders. The favourites are all here, each and every opening riff is greeted like a long-lost relative. Crown jewels ‘I Surrender’, ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ and a close to perfect ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’ gleam with pride after being nostalgically dusted off. Deep Purple’s ‘Perfect Strangers’ effortlessly resonates with that timeless quality that’s still capable of sending spine-tingling shudders shooting down the neck. The vocals aren’t quite up to Gillan’s originals but in reality whose are? The intro to ‘All Night Long’ causes some thumbs to be placed in jean loops while others noodle air guitar with added screwed up sex faces are all obligatory listening accompaniments. ‘Stargazer’ clocks in at an impressive nine minutes and Ronnie James Dio distinctive voice is shown the utmost reverence by the able Romero, no need for those distasteful futurama-esque holograms here.
Blackmore’s playing is impeccable throughout as he delivers monster riff and solo after solo with his own consummate ease. The crowd chanted ‘Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll’ goes over the ten-minute mark and in parts sounds almost (he says ducking) cruise ship covered. The energy and pace has been removed from the original and it feels like it’s being played at the wrong speed. Order is restored with a bullish ‘Black Night’ before ‘Smoke On The Water’ is bellowed out and back by another sold-out congregation. The first new Rainbow single in Twenty Two years is plonked on the end as an added bonus. ‘Waiting For a Sign’ follows the Classic Rock Rainbow formula and it’s certainly not out of place amongst the bands genre-defining back catalogue. A Blackmore purists dream of a live album.
RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW
MEMORIES IN ROCK II
Minstrel Hall
8/10