Excuse the video - still getting used to my new phone
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HIGH NOON, OH I'D SELL MY SOUL FOR WATER
Having seen some of the video clips of the German Monsters of Rock gig, I'd be the first to admit that I had some concerns/misgivings about Ritchie's return to the UK.
Well, more fool me. Fitting really, that Blackers should choose the NEC as the venue for his first UK "rock" gig in 20 years. The NEC was the "beginning of the end" for MkII Purple - complete with flying water jugs. June 2016 was to be NO repeat performance.
The "Rainbow" cast comprised Blackmore's Night's David Keith Bob Nouveau and Candice Night, Stratovarius Keyboard player Jens Johansson and relative unknown vocalist - Ronnie Romero.
The setlist (see below) included a broad cross-section of Purple and Rainbow classics, which the band performed superbly. Special mention tho' to Ronnie - who handled Gillan, Cov, Dio, Bonnet and Turner songs with commensurate ease. Some of those screams during Child In Time and Stargazer were perfect.
The capacity crowd knew their part: From the responses in Catch The Rainbow, to the "Ooh Ooh Oohs" of Child In Time. Everyone played their part in a great night. A shout also for the lighting rig. It cerainly wasn't the mega-rainbow of Dio's days, but this arc allowed for subtle variations to suit the music coupled with the on-stage banks and spots, Child In Time, Spotlight Kid and Stargazer were given added edge.
And, what about the Man in Black, himself? Well, amazing isn't it, what happens when you surround yourself with people you trust and like. He played brilliantly - enjoying his solos and even a few occasions of interaction with the crowd. Hell or High Water, this wasn't. If the old gunslinger was riding into town for one final HIGH NOON, then it's safe to say he left Brum victorious - the ghosts of October 16th 1993 laid to rest in that rapid-fire shootout of Child In Time.
It's hard to complain about what was left out of the setlist. If we ALL had our own choices - they'd still be playing now, 8 hours later. There were a couple of really nice surprises; Soldier of Fortune and (the first encore) Burn. The latter showing that Ritchie can still do the high-octane stuff with no signs of any hinderance or limitation resultant from his hand surgery.
And, what a way to finish the main set. Long Live Rock n Roll, Child In Time and the finale - the epic Stargazer, surely these three songs never sounded so good live?
A genuinely fantasic night out, God Bless you Ritchie for "missing the old stuff" just enough to make one last grandstand.
SETLIST:
Land of Hope & Glory/Over The Rainbow - Highway Star - Spotlight Kid - Mistreated - Since You Been Gone - Man On The Silver Mountain - Soldier of Fortune - Difficult To Cure - Catch The Rainbow - Perfect Strangers - Long Live Rock n Roll - Child In Time - Stargazer - Black Night (incl snippet of Woman From Tokyo)
Encores: Burn - Smoke On The Water
Glad you had a good time. IMO the drummer is certainly no Ian Paice, and the singer lacks charisma, but it sounds good overall and Ritchie's still got it.