Artist: Rainbow

Title: Live In Munich 1977 (Mercury Studios)

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Tell me more: On Oct. 20, 1977, the only full-length concert featuring the classic Rainbow lineup of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Cozy Powell ever professionally filmed was captured at Munich Olympiahalle in Germany during the band's 1977 European tour. Now the historic concert event is available as a wonderful must-own special edition 2CD+DVD set courtesy of Mercury Studios.

Indeed, this is a concert that almost never was; Blackmore arrived in Munich close to show time after reportedly being smuggled out of Austria after getting into trouble with police at a gig there two nights earlier. That event seemed to rouse Blackmore and company to deliver an especially riveting performance on this night. Over the course of just under two hours, Rainbow delivers a captivating set of favorites including the speedy opener "Kill The King" showcasing Dio's soaring lead vocals, the heavy "Mistreated" blending British hard rock, Renaissance and progressive rock styles, the ambitious "Catch The Rainbow" stretching from a beautiful opening to a fiery rocker, and the straight-forward aptly-titled "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll."

The concert wraps with stellar versions of "Man On The Silver Mountain," "Still I'm Sad" and "Do You Close Your Eyes," the latter featuring Blackmore alone on stage destroying his electric guitar as part of a truly explosive finale. In addition to the full-length concert, the 146-minute DVD includes original promo videos for "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll," "Gates Of Babylon" and "L.A. Connection," as well as a photo gallery, slideshow with audio commentary, interviews, and the "Rainbow Over Texas '76" feature (the latter which includes addition interviews and performance footage). The physical package also comes with a wonderful fully-illustrated 12-page booklet that includes liner notes focusing on this period of Rainbow's history.

Information: mercurystudios.co.