Couldn’t agree more and feel the same about his work on Stargazer. Ritchie said he chose him because he was the only candidate that could play swing beats in a rock mode. He’s the reason there is a groove in a metal song. It’s a rare quality.
I agree too. Cozy had a loose feel to his playing and yet would whack the hell out of the drums with precision which gave his style a sound of confidence. Come to think about it, he was kind of like Ritchie but on drums. That same confident masterful attack of his instrument.
Can we just say it? Dio is the greatest rock singer the medium produced. It's not Robert Plant, it's not Freddie Mercury, it's not Mike Patton, Maynard or Chris Cornell. It's Dio. And it's Dio going away in a landslide.
@@colinburroughs9871 I agree, it's not Plant, Mercury, Patton (...), or others, it's Gillan, then Dio, then Byron. I guess I'll have to add that it's my opinion, and these singers (Minus Patton who I can't stand, and Maynard and Cornell who I haven't heard) are all great.
@@ronan82 Just tossing names at it that I hear associated with "greatest". I'm sure I didn't list everyone who's got standing to make such a list. I always like Jim Morrison's LSD induced Elvis impression, but that's not exactly Dio. I like Gillian too, wouldn't rank him above Dio. Dio holds a bottom end while projecting. Ian can get into some weird ranges, but it sounds like it's coming from his throat. And poor Mike Patton. That guy might not sing a tune you like (he has, check out Mondo Cane) but holy shit, he's got energy, power and control of it.
I've had the pleasure of playing with David Stone a number of times. He's seen your reaction and is thrilled about it. He had a lot to do with the composition of this song but I think he was strong armed into giving up his writing credit for a one time cash payment or something. The crazy chord progression in the middle probably came from him. He's a musical genius (as are all the guys in this band). If you ever wanted to talk to him he'd probably love to, you guys would get on great.
I commented in a forum that the Moog Taurus bass on the beginning was cool and he responded that he was flattered that anybody cared and that it had been done on a MiniMoog; I'm flattered that he made the effort to reply - what a gent!
This has been one of my favourites since the first time I heard it. This and Tony Carys playing on rising is some of the best keyboard playong ever recorded in my opinion. Wouldnt have happened without Ronnie probably, he had a neck for engaging great musicians in his projects.
@@rimmersbryggeriNone of this would ever been possible without the master. Ritchie Blackmore he put this together and held it together. Rip Cozy Powell and DIO.
Mr. Blackmore has said that this is his best solo ever. Cannot disagree. The whole song is a masterpiece. Eastern vibes all song long. Thank you sir, Dio and Blackmore do not disappoint.
Oh dear. Gates of Babylon, Stargazer, Highway star...... NO! A light in the black is the greatest classic rock song of all time and solo by Ritchie. Its not even up for debate.
Pete, Agreed. I read an article in the late Eighties having ago at the shredding trend and how boring it was. This guitar playing critics then bought up Page and especially Ritchie Blackmore. He said THE BEST solos he had ever heard were those too Stargazer and Gates of Babylon. The rumour is that Ritchie stopped playing Stargazer live for the same reason Gates of Babylon was NEVER played live ! Blackmore allegedly could not do the solo's justice live. It took way too much energy out of him and Blackmore cannot play the same solo twice.. If you listen to the few full versions of Stargazer live, Blackmore's solos range from brilliant to 'Wow, he,'s really struggling. ' I think Stargazer was dumped by 1977. Gates of Babylon never played live in its entirety. Some US fans claim that Ritchie did play it live. Others say, Ritchie would play the guitar riffs to get the crowd going and then merge into Sensitive to Light. Cozy P: Cozy Powell also said, if they continued to play Stargazer live on their1976 tour, he would need a 15 minute break minimum, if not 30 minute break. It was way too much drumming. Powell then added, 'no wonder Zeppelin play ballads for an hour in the middle of their set as Bonzo cannot keep up that frenetic pace for 3 hours. '
@@FrostedSeagull They did play Stargazer live in 1980 at least, during the last gig with Graham Bonnet (he splits opinions, but didn't do bad job in this song) and Powell. Iirc, they also did play it couple times later with Turner on the vocals.
When I saw Rainbow with the DIO lineup. I saw all 3 singers. Dio did Gates of Babylon medly, but they did not do a complete song. Graham did the same. I've never heard the entire song live by 🌈. Joe did not do it at all. I'm in the USA. Hope this helps.
Doug, I really enjoyed watching your reaction to that amazingly crafted song. I’m sure I had the same expression I had on my face the first time I heard the song in the eighties. It is brilliantly constructed and progressive without breaking immersion in the song. You seem to struggle a little expressing your criticism of progressive bands and I think that’s it. Sometimes they jam off on a tangent that breaks away from the theme and vibe of the song. This solo wanders within the confines off the song and adds without subtracting. That’s the skill of Blackmore, my personal favorite rock musician of all time whom in this case was working with my favorite vocalist of all time! Glad to see you excited to listen again!
damn, still 79m. I caught my 10y old son by this song enjoying what I heard so many decades ago. one of the perfect songs you can catch everyone with, like 'whiter shade of pale'
I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth in terms of trying to understand you talking music theory, Doug. It's wonderful to say the least, and part of me wishes I had learned music when I was younger. I love music, can't live without it. The regret is lingering. Thanks for this. I dunno if you've ever analyzed Burn by Deep Purple... if not, please put it on the list.
Pretty sure the scale used was the same on "Stargazer", Phrygian Dominant. It's based on harmonic minor scale, but starting from the dominant (5th). Widely used to give that Middle Eastern feel, also used in Spanish Flamenco and Romani music. That's why Doug heard both A harmonic minor and E Phyrigian Dominant, both have the same notes, from different tonics.
@@melanierhianna AFAIK Flamenco came to Spain from the North, not from the South. Literally this word meant "Music from Flanders". Flemish Gypsies brought this style of music to Spain (Flanders was then a dependency of Spain). Naturally, Moorish music could influence it, but that was secondary.
@@gwaptivaas an Arab with knowledge of Arabic scales and guitarist with knowledge of eastern’s, this is actually a double harmonic minor AKA Hijaz kar scale in arabic, with three chromatics notes same as misirlou by dick dale. Then they went for the chorus in aeolean mode with a hint of phrygian. Solo was in both phrygian dominant and double harmonic scale because the difference is only one note the chromatic so you can use both interchangeably. Fun fact: for us arabs, the unique scales for us are “out of tune” for eastern modes because we have a few modes that we use qrt note in between eg. Rast, Sikah, Saba, Bayat
Certainly one of the most magical Hard Rock Songs ever recorded and one of the coolest Guitar-Solos ever, nevermind Ronnies masterful singing and story
The 5th mode of the harmonic minor is a favourite in prog and metal. I have heard various names but first knew it as The Spanish Gypsy scale as you hear it in flamenco too.
That makes complete sense. I was going to comment that it was straight from Arabic classical music which obviously found its way into Spain via the Moorish conquests. Along with thousands of Arab words in the Spanish language.
I love to see the reaction of someone who really understands music that can appreciate the musicianship . I have no idea what Doug means , but I can appreciate the sonic brilliance .
My favourite song on this album, with the wonderful "Rainbow Eyes" ! I have chicken skin when listening those to songs ! The violin in the end of the song was not supposed to be, but when it was recorded, the violin continued to play, and they decided to keep it on the record ! Incredible !
I believe that youtube was invented to justify so many adolescent metal music choices, which were frowned upon at the time. Great reaction as always by Doug.
The story goes that the violinist was soooo into his part that he improvised the ending part in the studio and Blackmore, et al., decided to keep it on the track!!! INCREDIBLE guitar solos from Ritchie...
Richie's guitar work in this song is phenomenal. Surpasses highway star in my opinion. Ive seen rainbow 🌈 with three different singers 78-87 including Ronnie James Dio. Superbly written and always performed the same. Flawless! I was talking to text I had edit it a couple words.
I remember, in the late 90s, both my parents buying a copy of The Very Best of Rainbow and I borrowed it often at around the age of 8-10. This track was always my favourite, then and now. The intro still makes me shiver, every single time. Probably in anticipation of what is to come.
Might it be due to Ritchie Blackmore, (yes it may), but I think the output of his time in Rainbow is by far the most musically interesting of Ronnie James Dios whole carreer. Divers too, but never too clichee.
Ritchie was the driving force in the music, it was his band and he paid all the bills, he fell out with Dio when he wanted a more commercial output as he was bleeding money keeping Rainbow going and Dio didn't want to go down that route, without Ritchie I don't think Dio would have hit the heights he did, Elf had been around since the late 60's and weren't going anywhere when Ritchie pulled them in to make the first Rainbow album, he certainly wouldn't have had the level of recognition to move on to Sabbath without doing Rainbow first.
I usually don't watch these reactions from people, but I'm interested in this as Ritchie's guitar phrasing on the solo during the chord changes are spectacular. The guy was on another level.
So great to have revealed the intricacies of a song that I have long loved! Thank you, Doug ... or Dr. Helvering as I note from your RUclips plaque on the wall :)
This is my all time favorite Rainbow / Dio / Blackmore song. And for many years my ringtone on my phone. Love the way you've been so surprised all along this song. And, yes.. so short !!
I made a mix-tape in the 80s for my friends party. This was the lead in song on the tape. It was a pseudo competition between all of us metal heads of who could make the best mix. My mix tape was the one that stayed in play all night.
One of my favorite reactions I’ve seen on the channel. Love when a masterpiece hits Doug like that. He can feel what many of us have known for years that’s a win win win.
Hi Doug!Great analysis as usual.Just wanted to mention you can also try the song Rainbow Eyes,the last song from this album.It's a really sad composition which showcases a different side of Ritchie and Dio's vocals are also quite different.
one of my favourite rock songs of all time, Rainbow as it's best, thank you for doing this. If you're looking for other Rainbow-Songs: I think The title song of this album Long Live Rock'n'Roll is quite good as well (not as good as Gates of Babylon, because it has not that depth), but it's pure and simple hard rock. And then: Eyes of Fire and Fire Dance always catched me too.
What an epic track. I remember buying this album on day of release, rushing home, putting it on the turntable, and just being blown away. What a track. What an album.
The chord progression over the guitar solo blew me away the first time I heard it, I couldn't believe you could put a solo like that over that progression. It's probably (in my opinion) the best guitar solo of all time.
The most epic duo Rainbow had was Blackmore and Dio in those first 3 albums. Other songs to analyze can be "Rainbow eyes", "A Light In The Black", "Tarot woman", "The temple of the king", "Catch The Rainbow", "Kill The King"."Sixteenth Century Greensleeves ","Eyes of the word" , "Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal " o "Difficult to cure" , Among many more songs.
Great song. Songs I want to watch you react to: Nazareth - Telegram (parts 1 - 4) Uriah Heep - July Morning (the version from the album "Forty years of rock")
Thank you for reviewing one of the best written and performed rock songs EVER. This song is perfect, with everyone performing at their best. What a shame that the band broke up, simply because the label forced them to be “more commercial“.
of all the people doing reaction videos, you got to be the best. perfect balance of allowing the song to play and stopping to provide analysis and feedback. some people will spend 15 minutes just listening to the intro five times and rambling, to the point that they don't actually get to listen to and appreciate the music.
That was a most enjoyable analysis. I like how you say the song ends on A is them reaching Babylon is a fascinating notion which I hope was intentional.
Dont think you'll see this 4 months after upload, but Rainbow Eyes by Rainbow is amazing in a much different way. You being a classical musician will LOVE it
I'm so glad you reviewed this song, I've been a lifelong Blackmore and Dio fan, together and separately... This group is awesome with Cozy P on drums too. Very precious few albums. I went to see Dio live when he was over 60 years old and he sounded better than the during the 70s..his voice was solid. Also again, Temple of the King- a song I go back listening to for the past 40 plus years, Thanks!
Back in the 70's when this song was released, I read an interview with Richie Blackmore, where he told that the keyboardplayer David Stone was responsible for the incredible chord progression in the middle part.
Cozy Powell is a MASSIVE part of this song and also Stargazer. His sound was instantly recognizable no matter who he played with. RIP
Couldn’t agree more and feel the same about his work on Stargazer. Ritchie said he chose him because he was the only candidate that could play swing beats in a rock mode. He’s the reason there is a groove in a metal song. It’s a rare quality.
R.I.P. indeed.
I agree too. Cozy had a loose feel to his playing and yet would whack the hell out of the drums with precision which gave his style a sound of confidence. Come to think about it, he was kind of like Ritchie but on drums. That same confident masterful attack of his instrument.
Cozy always pushed the band along. An incredible player
One of my favorites I ever seen.
Dio and Blackmore together was magic,not just your average rock music.
Dude, my all time favorite Rainbow song, great Ritchie solo, Cozy killing it in the drums, and Dio being Dio. Thanks Doug!! 🤘
Dio's voice makes anything 10x better and more epic
Dio's voice would even make bacon better!
Can we just say it? Dio is the greatest rock singer the medium produced. It's not Robert Plant, it's not Freddie Mercury, it's not Mike Patton, Maynard or Chris Cornell. It's Dio. And it's Dio going away in a landslide.
@@colinburroughs9871 I agree, it's not Plant, Mercury, Patton (...), or others, it's Gillan, then Dio, then Byron. I guess I'll have to add that it's my opinion, and these singers (Minus Patton who I can't stand, and Maynard and Cornell who I haven't heard) are all great.
@@ronan82 Just tossing names at it that I hear associated with "greatest". I'm sure I didn't list everyone who's got standing to make such a list. I always like Jim Morrison's LSD induced Elvis impression, but that's not exactly Dio. I like Gillian too, wouldn't rank him above Dio. Dio holds a bottom end while projecting. Ian can get into some weird ranges, but it sounds like it's coming from his throat. And poor Mike Patton. That guy might not sing a tune you like (he has, check out Mondo Cane) but holy shit, he's got energy, power and control of it.
Dio's voice makes me want to reject my humanity.
I've had the pleasure of playing with David Stone a number of times. He's seen your reaction and is thrilled about it. He had a lot to do with the composition of this song but I think he was strong armed into giving up his writing credit for a one time cash payment or something. The crazy chord progression in the middle probably came from him. He's a musical genius (as are all the guys in this band). If you ever wanted to talk to him he'd probably love to, you guys would get on great.
I commented in a forum that the Moog Taurus bass on the beginning was cool and he responded that he was flattered that anybody cared and that it had been done on a MiniMoog; I'm flattered that he made the effort to reply - what a gent!
This has been one of my favourites since the first time I heard it. This and Tony Carys playing on rising is some of the best keyboard playong ever recorded in my opinion. Wouldnt have happened without Ronnie probably, he had a neck for engaging great musicians in his projects.
@@rimmersbryggeriNone of this would ever been possible without the master. Ritchie Blackmore he put this together and held it together. Rip Cozy Powell and DIO.
Rainbow Eyes from the same album showcases RJD's more "tender" vocal side. Beautifully sung imo.
Mr. Blackmore has said that this is his best solo ever. Cannot disagree. The whole song is a masterpiece. Eastern vibes all song long. Thank you sir, Dio and Blackmore do not disappoint.
Nope. The Stargazer solo cannot be reproduced
No way. I like this song but no comparison to Stargazer for Dio vocals and the guitar solo...epic!
@@Georgemeister777 nope highway star, burn, child in time just for starts
@@harbo1011 nope gates is better
Oh dear. Gates of Babylon, Stargazer, Highway star...... NO! A light in the black is the greatest classic rock song of all time and solo by Ritchie. Its not even up for debate.
Blackmore, Dio & Powel at their finest.
Αt that time were something like superheroes
Why nobody mentions Bob Daisley? He was so great player.
@@bobbigboss111 maybe because of the feud that Blackmore played bass in a couple of songs.
They were like the high priests to me as a teenager in the 1980's!
@@bobbigboss111 Daisley was awesome on the Ozzy albums too.
Often overlooked really because of the phenomenal Randy Rhoads.
Ritchie's guitar solo in this song is considered to be his most complex, masterpiece.
Pete,
Agreed. I read an article in the late Eighties having ago at the shredding trend and how boring it was. This guitar playing critics then bought up Page and especially Ritchie Blackmore.
He said THE BEST solos he had ever heard were those too Stargazer and Gates of Babylon.
The rumour is that Ritchie stopped playing Stargazer live for the same reason Gates of Babylon was NEVER played live !
Blackmore allegedly could not do the solo's justice live. It took way too much energy out of him and Blackmore cannot play the same solo twice..
If you listen to the few full versions of Stargazer live, Blackmore's solos range from brilliant to 'Wow, he,'s really struggling. '
I think Stargazer was dumped by 1977.
Gates of Babylon never played live in its entirety.
Some US fans claim that Ritchie did play it live.
Others say, Ritchie would play the guitar riffs to get the crowd going and then merge into Sensitive to Light.
Cozy P:
Cozy Powell also said, if they continued to play Stargazer live on their1976 tour, he would need a 15 minute break minimum, if not 30 minute break. It was way too much drumming. Powell then added, 'no wonder Zeppelin play ballads for an hour in the middle of their set as Bonzo cannot keep up that frenetic pace for 3 hours. '
@@FrostedSeagull They did play Stargazer live in 1980 at least, during the last gig with Graham Bonnet (he splits opinions, but didn't do bad job in this song) and Powell. Iirc, they also did play it couple times later with Turner on the vocals.
When I saw Rainbow with the DIO lineup. I saw all 3 singers. Dio did Gates of Babylon medly, but they did not do a complete song. Graham did the same. I've never heard the entire song live by 🌈. Joe did not do it at all. I'm in the USA. Hope this helps.
One of my favourite Rainbow songs.
I’m not sure why but my favorite line in this song is “You can see but you’re blind. Someone turned the sun around.”
A very cool Rainbow song with Middle Eastern vibe. Has a good and true message - Sleep with the devil and the devil will take you away.
The message is that the Babylon System - or Capitalism, as Bob Marley described it - is satanic.
Dio is the master singer of all times hands down and every band he joined instantly became a million times better RIP❤️RJD 🤘
FINALLY someone on RUclips reacts to the correct Rainbow song to react to!
And another Gates Of Babylon awesome reaction here pal - ruclips.net/video/8c6rfmXdJHs/видео.html
This is Blackmore's lead riff called the "snake charmer." Every guitarist on earth wanted to learn this scale. RIP Cozy and Ronnie.
Doug, I really enjoyed watching your reaction to that amazingly crafted song. I’m sure I had the same expression I had on my face the first time I heard the song in the eighties. It is brilliantly constructed and progressive without breaking immersion in the song. You seem to struggle a little expressing your criticism of progressive bands and I think that’s it. Sometimes they jam off on a tangent that breaks away from the theme and vibe of the song. This solo wanders within the confines off the song and adds without subtracting. That’s the skill of Blackmore, my personal favorite rock musician of all time whom in this case was working with my favorite vocalist of all time! Glad to see you excited to listen again!
damn, still 79m. I caught my 10y old son by this song enjoying what I heard so many decades ago. one of the perfect songs you can catch everyone with, like 'whiter shade of pale'
The great Bob Daisley. Bass player on 5 of the first 6 Ozzy albums, and lyricist for the first 6.
I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth in terms of trying to understand you talking music theory, Doug. It's wonderful to say the least, and part of me wishes I had learned music when I was younger. I love music, can't live without it. The regret is lingering.
Thanks for this.
I dunno if you've ever analyzed Burn by Deep Purple... if not, please put it on the list.
Ian Gillan was Jesus in the original studio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. He and Richie used to do the melody in their Deep Purple duels
The last line is one of my favorite deliveries in any song ever. Dio just enunciates the h*** out of it and makes you believe he means what he says.
Blackmore wanted to take metal to the next level & in my humble opinion he accomplished it
I really need to listen to more Rainbow, this is ace!
I recommend A Light in the Black and Tarot Woman if you don't know them
Listen to the albums Rainbow Rising and Long Live Rock N Roll first. The other albums are great as well.
Pretty sure the scale used was the same on "Stargazer", Phrygian Dominant. It's based on harmonic minor scale, but starting from the dominant (5th). Widely used to give that Middle Eastern feel, also used in Spanish Flamenco and Romani music. That's why Doug heard both A harmonic minor and E Phyrigian Dominant, both have the same notes, from different tonics.
Wikipedia lists it as a double harmonic major tune, but I don't know enough.
No one incorporates the middle eastern scales and harmonics the way Ritchie does. He is top notch.
Spanish Flamenco is derived from Moorish music from when the Moors ran the Spanish Peninsula.
@@melanierhianna AFAIK Flamenco came to Spain from the North, not from the South. Literally this word meant "Music from Flanders". Flemish Gypsies brought this style of music to Spain (Flanders was then a dependency of Spain). Naturally, Moorish music could influence it, but that was secondary.
@@gwaptivaas an Arab with knowledge of Arabic scales and guitarist with knowledge of eastern’s, this is actually a double harmonic minor AKA Hijaz kar scale in arabic, with three chromatics notes same as misirlou by dick dale. Then they went for the chorus in aeolean mode with a hint of phrygian. Solo was in both phrygian dominant and double harmonic scale because the difference is only one note the chromatic so you can use both interchangeably.
Fun fact: for us arabs, the unique scales for us are “out of tune” for eastern modes because we have a few modes that we use qrt note in between eg. Rast, Sikah, Saba, Bayat
Awesomeness overload...This is an absolute masterpiece indeed!
Certainly one of the most magical Hard Rock Songs ever recorded and one of the coolest Guitar-Solos ever, nevermind Ronnies masterful singing and story
Magical yes!
Doug is the lead singer in a Dio cover group on the weekends.
Really
Keyboard player I would have believed though.
The 5th mode of the harmonic minor is a favourite in prog and metal. I have heard various names but first knew it as The Spanish Gypsy scale as you hear it in flamenco too.
That makes complete sense. I was going to comment that it was straight from Arabic classical music which obviously found its way into Spain via the Moorish conquests. Along with thousands of Arab words in the Spanish language.
It's such a joy to watch that you are discovering those songs
Thanks to the Council of Dougs, whom I'm sure was responsible for picking out this gem of a deep cut.
🤘🧙♂️🤘
Untouchable a master piece!
I love to see the reaction of someone who really understands music that can appreciate the musicianship . I have no idea what Doug means , but I can appreciate the sonic brilliance .
My favourite song on this album, with the wonderful "Rainbow Eyes" ! I have chicken skin when listening those to songs ! The violin in the end of the song was not supposed to be, but when it was recorded, the violin continued to play, and they decided to keep it on the record ! Incredible !
I believe that youtube was invented to justify so many adolescent metal music choices, which were frowned upon at the time.
Great reaction as always by Doug.
One of the best songs in the history of Rock. Thanks for reviewing it, Doug.
The story goes that the violinist was soooo into his part that he improvised the ending part in the studio and Blackmore, et al., decided to keep it on the track!!! INCREDIBLE guitar solos from Ritchie...
Doug, you should check out a song with a similar feel (while also being a milestone in popular guitar playing) "Sails of Charon" by Scorpions.
The Phrygian Dominant mode is so underused in metal, but it has such an awesome feel to it. Dio and Blackmore at their finest here
Doug dances like the Caddyshack Gopher.
This is one of my three favourite Rainbow songs (the other two being Stargazer and A Light in the Black).
RIP Dio, one of the greats.
Richie's guitar work in this song is phenomenal. Surpasses highway star in my opinion. Ive seen rainbow 🌈 with three different singers 78-87 including Ronnie James Dio. Superbly written and always performed the same. Flawless! I was talking to text I had edit it a couple words.
Dio, Blackmore and Powell together only could result in a perfect thing. And that thing is called "Gates of Babylon".
I hit the like button straight away...soon after reading the video's title 🙂
So many metal bands following this owe this band and song some serious backpay, even to this day.
FINALLYYYYY....a RAINBOW review...yisussssss.......i have wait for this too long!!!....mr. Doug U have Level up!!
I highly recommend Rainbow, "mistreated" live in Munich, the solo, Ronnie's singing is next level, the drumming is insane. Thanks for the video!
The whole double CD from Munich is awesome. 😊
Wowzers! Wicked Awesome piece of music!
I remember, in the late 90s, both my parents buying a copy of The Very Best of Rainbow and I borrowed it often at around the age of 8-10. This track was always my favourite, then and now. The intro still makes me shiver, every single time. Probably in anticipation of what is to come.
I totally agree! That intro gets me everytime!
Might it be due to Ritchie Blackmore, (yes it may), but I think the output of his time in Rainbow is by far the most musically interesting of Ronnie James Dios whole carreer. Divers too, but never too clichee.
Ritchie was the driving force in the music, it was his band and he paid all the bills, he fell out with Dio when he wanted a more commercial output as he was bleeding money keeping Rainbow going and Dio didn't want to go down that route, without Ritchie I don't think Dio would have hit the heights he did, Elf had been around since the late 60's and weren't going anywhere when Ritchie pulled them in to make the first Rainbow album, he certainly wouldn't have had the level of recognition to move on to Sabbath without doing Rainbow first.
This song is one of the reasons why Ritchie Blackmore is my favorite guitarist of all time.
Mine too
I usually don't watch these reactions from people, but I'm interested in this as Ritchie's guitar phrasing on the solo during the chord changes are spectacular. The guy was on another level.
Apparently he would do his solos in pretty much one take, and it wasn't written/worked out. He, as what we say today, 'freestyled' it.
I think Rainbow are seriously under rated. All the three albums with Dio are great. Down to Earth which does not include Dio is also excellent
So great to have revealed the intricacies of a song that I have long loved! Thank you, Doug ... or Dr. Helvering as I note from your RUclips plaque on the wall :)
This is my all time favorite Rainbow / Dio / Blackmore song. And for many years my ringtone on my phone. Love the way you've been so surprised all along this song. And, yes.. so short !!
I made a mix-tape in the 80s for my friends party. This was the lead in song on the tape. It was a pseudo competition between all of us metal heads of who could make the best mix.
My mix tape was the one that stayed in play all night.
His best guitar solo with fantastic drumming behind, like symphonic music.
So epic! Dio, Blackmore, Powell and Daisley together! My favorite Rainbow song!
This is practically the base for every song Yngwie has ever composed.
He is Blackmore. Jr. Looks like him acts like plays like him.
Wow! I recently asked for this… I’m so glad you enjoyed it this much! Great episode, thx!
One of my favorite reactions I’ve seen on the channel. Love when a masterpiece hits Doug like that. He can feel what many of us have known for years that’s a win win win.
Always been one of my favorites since I heard it.
Hi Doug!Great analysis as usual.Just wanted to mention you can also try the song Rainbow Eyes,the last song from this album.It's a really sad composition which showcases a different side of Ritchie and Dio's vocals are also quite different.
Truly so
one of my favourite rock songs of all time, Rainbow as it's best, thank you for doing this.
If you're looking for other Rainbow-Songs: I think The title song of this album Long Live Rock'n'Roll is quite good as well (not as good as Gates of Babylon, because it has not that depth), but it's pure and simple hard rock. And then: Eyes of Fire and Fire Dance always catched me too.
Hey! Do a part two and analyze the heck out of this! Really interesting to hear deep stuff from you.
Gates of Babylon and Eyes of Fire are my favorite Rainbow tunes, I'm a huge Blackmore fan and those are the solos I feel he really shines...
Thats a blast from the past. I haven't listened to Rainbow for about 35 years
love all your knowing, thanks
I have loved this song for over a decade, but am not quick enough with my theory to make sense if the dual function of E. Thank you Doug!
What an epic track. I remember buying this album on day of release, rushing home, putting it on the turntable, and just being blown away. What a track. What an album.
Rainbow is my favourite classic rock band (during the Dio years) It's nice to hear more about this song from a music theory perspective
Thank you, Doug! Cheers!
AS A CLASSICAL MUSICIAN YOU WILL LOVE "RAINBOW EYES" FROM THIS ALBUM...
One of the best guitar solos of all time, hands down.
The chord progression over the guitar solo blew me away the first time I heard it, I couldn't believe you could put a solo like that over that progression. It's probably (in my opinion) the best guitar solo of all time.
All I want for Christmas is Doug''s ears. Astonishes me every single time.
you really know harmony, I like that
Song is a masterpiece. One if their Best. 🎸🎹🥁 🎶. Nice to see you enjoying some more Dio/Rainbow
The most epic duo Rainbow had was Blackmore and Dio in those first 3 albums. Other songs to analyze can be "Rainbow eyes", "A Light In The Black", "Tarot woman", "The temple of the king", "Catch The Rainbow", "Kill The King"."Sixteenth Century Greensleeves ","Eyes of the word" , "Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal " o "Difficult to cure" , Among many more songs.
And that my friends is how music is made.❤
You can go wrong with any of the songs from this Rainbow line-up. Great video (again), Doug.
Great memories rock'n to this LP.
wow such high praise! Thanks, as always Doug!
Great song. Songs I want to watch you react to:
Nazareth - Telegram (parts 1 - 4)
Uriah Heep - July Morning (the version from the album "Forty years of rock")
July Morning would be a good choice to react to
Agreed, just seen them on 50th year tour (although actually 52 years since they formed). They were brilliant but July Morning stood out !
Telegram is a fantastic song.
Thank you for reviewing one of the best written and performed rock songs EVER. This song is perfect, with everyone performing at their best. What a shame that the band broke up, simply because the label forced them to be “more commercial“.
of all the people doing reaction videos, you got to be the best. perfect balance of allowing the song to play and stopping to provide analysis and feedback. some people will spend 15 minutes just listening to the intro five times and rambling, to the point that they don't actually get to listen to and appreciate the music.
I just LOVE this song!
Dio was off the curve of any curve. All Hail the King👑 🤘
Being a classical composer, you may be interested in listening to Rainbows 'Difficult To Cure'. It's their rendition of Beethoven's 9th.
Great knowledge man!
That was a most enjoyable analysis. I like how you say the song ends on A is them reaching Babylon is a fascinating notion which I hope was intentional.
My favorite solo of all time
So glad you finally got round to this one! My favourite Rainbow track. Can we have Kill The King next off the same album please.
Dont think you'll see this 4 months after upload, but Rainbow Eyes by Rainbow is amazing in a much different way. You being a classical musician will LOVE it
Love it when Doug plays the keyboard after the song, wish i had a fraction of that music sense
I came for the reaction. I stayed for the chair dancing.
Great vid Doug 👍
I'm so glad you reviewed this song, I've been a lifelong Blackmore and Dio fan, together and separately... This group is awesome with Cozy P on drums too. Very precious few albums. I went to see Dio live when he was over 60 years old and he sounded better than the during the 70s..his voice was solid. Also again, Temple of the King- a song I go back listening to for the past 40 plus years, Thanks!
One of my favourite albums, thanks.
Back in the 70's when this song was released, I read an interview with Richie Blackmore, where he told that the keyboardplayer David Stone was responsible for the incredible chord progression in the middle part.