Here then is Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, a pinnacle in the still fledgling heavy music genre, at a time when Deep Purple was on hiatus, and Black Sabbath appeared on its last legs. It was the third album for Rainbow, by which time the chief contributors Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio had found their groove, and produced a collection of magnificent tracks that roll effortlessly into a majestic album.
It all starts with the title track, the anthemic "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll", which starts the album off with a bang. The lyrics say it all, the riff stands the test of time. Ronnie stands at the front and centre and leads you in the verses and into the chorus. Ritchie rifles through the chorus before sending his guitar through the solo break. This is followed by the highly underrated "Lady of the Lake". This has another great Ritchie riff, simple yet powerful, while Ronnie's layered vocals come through the bridge strong and forceful, pushing it into your chest, and forcing you to sing along as powerfully as he is delivering it to you. Just a great song.
I've never understood the reasoning behind "L.A. Connection" being released as a single. Was it just to keep the album's most noticeably brilliant songs only for those that forked out for the whole album? I don't know, but certainly this would probably have been the last song I would have thought of releasing to promote the album. It's a good song, but only good. It isn't anywhere near as strong lyrically or musically as the other brilliant songs found around it.
Case in point - "Gates of Babylon". This is high on my list of the best songs ever written. Utterly magnificent, firstly by the energy, drive and passion of Ronnie's vocals, then drawn away by Ritchie's brilliant guitar solo through the middle, along with Cozy Powell's enormous drum work, only for Ronnie to return and finish the job. Then you can also add on to that list "Kill the King", yet another brilliant composition of guitar riffs from Ritchie combined with the emotive and powerful vocals from Ronnie. Everything about this is a speed metal song that isn't speed metal, but you can sure hear how it inspired those bands in Europe and especially Germany to follow that path.
"The Shed (Subtle)" is the other song on the album alongside "L.A. Connection" that is a standout for the reason of its averageness rather than its brilliance. Once again, it is a good song, but surrounded by the gems that this album holds, it just seems to take a back seat to them. The band takes the rock 'n' roll element seriously on "Sensitive to Light", a song with a real rock beat, and a rolling, rollicking feel to the song.
The closing song, given the way the whole album has preceded it, is completely unexpected, and 180 degrees apart from them in regards to the performance. But it is a masterpiece, and an amazing musical experience. Combining Dio's amazing vocal range, and Ritchie's talent on the guitar, "Rainbow Eyes" completes the circle for this band. Incorporating flute and violin, this song illustrates the versatility of these two artists. Dio's vocals are just awesome. He hits the notes, he sings the emotion, he just blows minds with his vocal chords. The pureness of his voice is unbelievable.
This album is a masterpiece, one that has stood the test of time and is still just as brilliant today as it was when it was released. Ritchie played most of the bass guitar on this album as well (being 'between bassists' at the time), and he is spectacular. Ronnie's vocals are just amazing. His range in belting out songs like "Long Live Rock n Roll", "Gates of Babylon" and "Kill the King', to the joyous subtleties of "Rainbow Eyes" capture perfectly the brilliance and magnificence of his voice. Of all the recordings he has been a part of, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll is the snapshot in time of his amazing talent. Add to this the marvellous drumming from the incomparable Cozy Powell, and you have an album that is at the very top of the tree in all-time releases.
Rating: Sleep with the Devil, the Devil will take you away 5/5
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