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Black Masquerade

Rainbow - Black Masquerade DVD artwork

The much bootlegged Rainbow show from Philipshalle Düsseldorf on October 9, 1995, is now going to be released officially through Edel in Europe on August 23 and Eagle Rock in North America on August 27, on CD, DVD and digital download. That was the only performance of the last incarnation of Rainbow to be recorded on video professionally, for the German TV show Rockpalast.

Track listing:

  1. Introduction
  2. Spotlight Kid
  3. Too Late For Tears
  4. Long Live Rock’n’Roll / Black Night
  5. Hunting Humans
  6. Wolf To The Moon / Difficult To Cure
  7. Keyboard Solo
  8. Still I’m Sad
  9. Man On The Silver Mountain
  10. Temple Of The King
  11. Black Masquerade
  12. Ariel
  13. Since You’ve Been Gone
  14. Perfect Strangers
  15. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  16. Hall Of The Mountain King
  17. Burn
  18. Smoke On The Water

Ariel:

Black Masquerade:

Thanks to Rainbow Fanclan Legacy and Vladimir Drybushchak for the info.



43 Comments to “Black Masquerade”:

  1. 1
    MacGregor says:

    Great looking set list, I will wait for a few reviews to check out the sound quality first. It was a very good album & it is a good lineup, Doogie on vocal was a positive. Cheers.

  2. 2
    Anthony says:

    Excellent news and a cracking concert but why so long to officially release is a mystery? All we need now is the release of Castle Donnington but I guess we’ll just have to wait 20 years for that one!

  3. 3
    MacGregor says:

    Second thoughts, I think I will give it a miss! I just watched a few clips on youtube & Doogie White is woeful out front, vocally very ordinary indeed! Mind you, I have only ever heard his vocal on the studio album. As we all know, there is a big difference from the studio to the stage! I can see why Blackmore ditched this lineup. See what happens when nostalgia kicks in, & then you realise that sometimes nostalgia is not always a good feeling! Cheers.

  4. 4
    Felix Gauloises says:

    yeah awesome cant wait

  5. 5
    David Ruddick says:

    Great show…Blackmore in absolute dynamite form!!!

  6. 6
    Larry Toering says:

    Any reason to refresh this even better is a good reason. Worthy release.

  7. 7
    Buttockss says:

    The biggining fall of R. Blackmore, Candice and blackmores night .

  8. 8
    Hiza says:

    I couldn´t more agree with Anthony! Where´s our official blast of The Donnington gig ??!! About time! Christmas?

    About this one, or in the matter of fact, about the VERY first gig of this lineup. I was lucky enough in managing to get
    myself in the front row of the legendary Helsinki House of Culture, 30th September 1995. And as You might remember, it was Ritchie´s first live appearance since th last Purple gig 17th November 1993, in the same city!

    It was totally surreal to see Ritchie so close on stage, and while the gig went on and the time was for “Perfect Strangers”, it was so hilarious, for Doogie didn´t know the lyrics at all ! Ritchie lost his control (never seen since) and pointed the crowd to sing the words for Doogie. It was so great to see Ritchie smiling his face off!
    Those were the days!
    Long Live Rainbow! Cheers to You all, friends around the globe!

  9. 9
    Drdp says:

    Including an impossibly young and exceptionally beautiful Ms. Candice Stevens on backing vocals for “Ariel”

  10. 10
    Roberto says:

    I hope they have remastered it and added many bonus footages…there are tons of them out there…this is an incredible show with ‘Black masquerade’ and ‘Temple of the king’ as some of the greatest moments of Blackmore career…

  11. 11
    Tor says:

    This is pure awesomeness. Waited so long for this. I sincerly hopes that the audio mix have been getting fair treatment, i love the bootleg but the mix and mastering of it is not good.

    The man in black at his most relaxed. Sublime performances in this concert.

  12. 12
    HZ says:

    Great concert. Blackers was playing like never before, great version of Temple, solo is out of this world… Can’t wait to purchase it.

  13. 13
    T says:

    The Düsseldorf bootleg is of pretty high quality–quite listenable. On the other hand, there are several reasons to pick up the official release, among them some tape-bleed in parts of “Spotlight Kid” and to get rid of the annoying trade theme music at the start before “Over the Rainbow” kicks in.

    This line-up was underrated and quite powerful, not to mention the fact that Doogie is able to sing anyone else’s songs more than competently–and he didn’t have a problem doing so. In addition, Blackmore resurrected songs that had been abandoned–such as “Temple of the King” and “Burn”–the latter of which contemporary Deep Purple would never do. The songs span the lifetime of Rainbow and includes representation from all the major line-ups–again, something Purple appears unwilling to do.

    Blackmore sounds more inspired as he tends to be after major changes. Chris Curtis’ conception of a roundabout group in which core members would be enhanced by guest musicians was prophetic for both Rainbow and Deep Purple, and Blackmore always came in strong after each change. This recording is no exception.

    The set list contains a large amount of new numbers–again, something that DP is afraid to do–and this recording represents a coda to Blackmore’s Rainbow. Blackmore was not afraid to tackle established Purple classics, something which aside from “Smoke” he didn’t do very often in earlier Rainbow, and hearing “Burn” is always a treat, with this Purple classic currently only kept alive by Glenn Hughes. Only the Turner-era is under-represented, perhaps due to Blackmore’s change of direction back to a harder edge.

    Giving this show a professional make-over should be worth the price of admission. Given the popularity of some of these bootlegs, there is a definite market for these old recordings–especially in light of Blackmore’s retirement from hard rock music.

  14. 14
    Greg Cummings says:

    HELL YES!!!!!!!!

  15. 15
    Ivica says:

    Finally CD ,with a great concert in Dusseldorf.
    Last night I listened to in a long time, Ritchie last rock album” Stranger In Us All ”
    And good album ,to me, the best Rainbow album since “Down to Earth”, and of course , and Ronnie James Dio era. Great song “Black Maqucrade”, “Ariel”, “Wolf to the Moon” and covers “Hall Of The Mountain King,” Still I m Sad “again .. beautiful Ritchie intro
    At this concert, and seven songs from it
    Exciting guitar playing Ritchie ,monster guitar Man
    from the initial “Spotlight Kid ” solo on guitar making cease to breathe, solo with soul in ballad “Temple Of The King” and “Smokie OTW … number two, classic rock song” Man On The Silver Mountain “to the crescendo at the end of the show,” Hall of the Mountain King, and “Burn” played really Ritchie style, virtuosity and furiously at 220 volts.
    amazing live performance,rock sound,old good rock

    Ritchie went from rock 1997
    small step for folk music, a great loss to rock.

    Ritchie God bless you

  16. 16
    Rand Hanson says:

    Awesome,This band were tight and White fit in well

  17. 17
    carlos says:

    I hopt the quality of the video is better than the quality of the dvd cover shown here.

  18. 18
    al says:

    #3 Mc Gregor.Exactly the same feelings here.Dougie is one of those ok singers spot on,but in concert no personality,a wanna be DIO.That’s what sets apart great singers like Ian Gillan,Dio,Coverdale,Paul Rodgers with the rest out of there,personality,no how much you can scream and yell.I used to watch a couple of videos from this concert on youtube,and only Blackmore,since this is the last incarnation of his rock music,but my curiosity is finished there.

  19. 19
    Deep Diography says:

    Wow! That calls back some memories as I have been there right in the middle in the third or second row. I cannot image that 18 years have passed since then.

  20. 20
    cyclone says:

    goose-bumps galore….

  21. 21
    Jerry says:

    For those asking about Donington, only the 30 minute BBC edit survives. Even the film’s director doesn’t have the rushes. But that said, I am sure the edit will get released at some point.

  22. 22
    Tommy H. says:

    @ 13: Don’t be so bitter about the fact that Gillan doesn’t want to do Mark III stuff. Did Ritchie ever play any songs from Tommy Bolin?

  23. 23
    Russ says:

    I would assume the DVD cover above is an actual photo and not from a frame of the video.

  24. 24
    MacGregor says:

    al @ 18 – yes I agree. I suppose that is a risk with getting an ‘unknown’ lead vocalist. they try too hard, but they also have big shoes to fill, so the pressure would always be there. It would be hard to front a big band who has had known quality front line vocalists. Looking back at Coverdale joining Purple, Dio joining Sabbath, Tony Martin joining Sabbath, Blaze Bayley joining Iron Maiden, Tim ‘ripper’ Owens joining Judas Priest. At least it worked out ok for both Dio & Coverdale. It never seems to last long for the replacement vocalist, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t great music created & performed at times with all these artists. At least Doogie had an opportunity that he more than likely would never had had before. Didn’t he guest with Jon Lord recently on an orchestra concert or recording? Cheers.

  25. 25
    Anthony says:

    @23 Its more than likely a frame from the video..I’ve seen the whole concert and its very professionally photographed though it could do with better mixing etc.

  26. 26
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @carlos: what’s wrong with it?

  27. 27
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @Tor: I don’t know for sure but don’t keep your hopes up for a new remix. It’s not very likely the show was recorded on multitrack.

  28. 28
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @Roberto: What kind of bonus material are you thinking of?

  29. 29
    Bo says:

    THIS IS GREAT 🙂
    So easy to understand why Blackmore should play rock. NO ONE can play like him. Still light-years above the rest. I just want it Blu-Ray.
    Also Doogie is great here.

    Now Ritchie – get this back on stage TOGETHER with your Blackmore Night. One hour each.

  30. 30
    Russ says:

    @28
    The music video promos from “Stranger in Us All” would be a nice bonus. There were a few from what I remember.

  31. 31
    kralle says:

    A show in chile was also pro recorded and filmed.
    search on y-tube for it.

  32. 32
    Anthony says:

    Guess who’s on drums??? yes..Chuck Burgi. I saw them not long after this in London and they played for almost 3hrs. Would be nice to see this line-up back together though.

  33. 33
    Russ says:

    @25
    I still think that is a photo. It does not look like a frame of analog video to me.

    @31
    I searched youtube. I only found audio to the Chile concert. No video.

  34. 34
    al says:

    @32 If Ritchie comex back for one more rock album,he wouldn’t have the same line-up,That is for sure ! But He would not do that anymore! Hope I’m wrong lol

  35. 35
    Geoff Piper says:

    Ian is and was non replaceable, Ronnie was non replaceable. Given that, Doogie had some really big guys to follow and had to hang with one of the best rock guitarists to ever live and he did quite a FINE job.
    Ritchie is in very good form as always and the rest of the band as well on this concert.
    I have seen the bootlegs and can’t wait to see the refined version of this show. Well worth the money.

  36. 36
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    ‘Stranger In Us All’ is a fine album. I prefer it over all the JLT era albums. It’s much closer in style to the DIO/Bonnet era which I prefer. Doogie is a fine vocalist and not only does he have a style of his own, he does a great job with ALL the Rainbow and Purple era material without trying to completely copy. Watching him sing JLT Rainbow without the ‘poof’ is awesome. He has a great range and exudes some good charisma as the frontman. Plus he is a good song writer too. The original studio album he did with ‘Demon’s Eye’- Stranger Within is a perfect example. It stacks up very nicely with the best of the ‘splinter’ albums. Without a doubt, if Ritchie ever decides to take on a hard rock effort, Doogie is the man to fill the singing spot. What a great Rainbow line-up…. Ritchie, Doogie, Tony Carey, Bob Rondinelli, Jimmy Bain. But if I had my true preference, I’d like to see him do a Blues album. This would be something he hasn’t done and judging by his version of ‘The Loner’/Carry On Jon and stuff he did ‘Live’ such as ‘Ritchie’s Blues’, Beethoven’s Ninth, and studio stuff such as Lazy, Ramshackle Man, etc., if he focused on an album of Blues, it would be amazing. Mostly instrumentals with a couple of tunes with vocals. That would really interest me. But another version of Rainbow would be just fine also. Both would be AWESOME! Come on Ritchie, WOW US.

    Ch-BeerZ?!

  37. 37
    MacGregor says:

    Tracy @ 36 – I was probably a bit harsh with my critical comment on Doogie earlier in this rave. Being the first time I heard him in a live gig situation, it just took me back a little. But that is because I have only ever heard him on the studio recording, & suddenly upon hearing him ‘live’, it was a surprise, once I get used to it, it is actually not too bad! I love those youtube clips with him & Blackmore sitting around ‘drinking’ & playing the old classics, great stuff indeed! Yes, it would be great to see Blackmore record a Blues/Rock album. It was a great loss that Jon Lord passed before he & Blackers could do an album together, a great pity indeed! Jon Lord talked few years back, about how he really wanted to do that before ‘he shook off his mortal coil’. RIP.
    Regarding the other post Dio Rainbow albums, I really like Difficult to Cure, one of Rainbows best albums in my book, also like Bent Out Of Shape. I didn’t get into the Straight Between The Eyes album, a weak one there! I have always struggled with Down To Earth as well, maybe it is Bonnet, a fine vocalist, but he sort of doesn’t fit in in some way. It is great that Roger Glover, Don Airey & Cozy Powell are on that record, but song wise, I think it is a weak album in places! They all play great on the record, maybe I need to listen to it again after all these years! Cheers.

  38. 38
    Svante Axbacke says:

    Maybe this isn’t what you meant but I am pretty sure that JL/RB collaboration would not have been a rock or blues album.

  39. 39
    MacGregor says:

    Svante @ 38 – I thought of that also after I sent the comment. I couldn’t imagine Lord & Blackmore doing too much of the blues, more classical style I would presume. Cheers.

  40. 40
    Gregory J Cummings says:

    Have seen bits and pieces of this show on youtube. I can’t wait for the DVD. Better than anything the post Blackmore “Deep Purple” have done!!!

  41. 41
    Anthony says:

    I have seen the track listing for the CD and Man On The Silver Mountain is not included ( its on the DVD )…makes perfect sense–leave the keyboard solo in and get rid of arguably Rainbow’s best song!!!

  42. 42
    Reinder Dijkhuis says:

    Listening to it on Spotify now.

    The Düsseldorf bootleg is of pretty high quality–quite listenable. On the other hand, there are several reasons to pick up the official release, among them some tape-bleed in parts of “Spotlight Kid” and to get rid of the annoying trade theme music at the start before “Over the Rainbow” kicks in.

    It’s got Land of Hope and Glory as the intro music now. As for the tape bleed… I no longer have the bootleg. I thought I remembered what you were talking about, but the annoying noise I was thinking about came from the keyboards and is still there.

    I also don’t remember the show being quite as naff as what I’m hearing now. It all sounds like pointless, cynical stuff to me. I don’t think I’ll be picking up the DVD.

  43. 43
    Emilio says:

    The intro music still playing over the first track of the show is still there, and it still annoys the f… out of me… lol

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