It's amazing; this album only has six songs on it, and totals only about 34 minutes. But Rainbow's "Rising" is far more than the sum of its parts. It conjures up such mystery, imagination, and wonder that it goes way beyond its songs to create such a beautiful panorama of images for the mind to enjoy.

The album opens with one of the greatest and most memorable keyboard intros in the history of rock and roll, for the powerful song "Tarot Woman." When Tony Carey did this back then, he probably didn't know that this would cement him in R'N'R history as one of the most dynamic, three-dimensional keyboard players ever. But it did, and this keyboard intro is his proudest moment on the album. When the bass and drums kick in, they pack a wallop similar to a train crashing through a brick wall. This CD is a sonic boom of epic proportions.

"Run With The Wolf" and "Starstruck" also pack a major punch, with Ronnie James Dio's powerful voice seeming to float on top of the music. It is an instrument all it's own. Not bad for a former barroom bluesman who got his career started as the founding member of "Ronnie and The Rumblers" way back in the late 50's (I wonder if I can get a collection of their songs, I'd love to hear what Ronnie sounded like back then...imagine that, eh?)

Although "Do You Close Your Eyes" is short and fairly disposable (I'm sorry, but it is the only song that just doesn't seem to fit here; I think it would have been better off on the first album, quite frankly), it is followed by what is my favorite song on the album, the magical epic "Stargazer." This song never fails to give me chills, especially when I am listening to it in the dark (this is one of those albums that are best heard in the dark). To me, this really is the centerpiece of the album, as it has Ronnie singing, "I see a rainbow rising!", and it features such an unbeatable combination of atmospheric keyboards and orchestra, slicing guitar work, and thunderous bass and drums. This is the progressive side of Heavy Metal at its very best.

The album then closes with "Light In The Black," which begins as a pretty straight-forward rocker, but soon turns out to be an extended showcase of keyboard and guitar solos, courtesy of Carey and Blackmore, respectively. This is Tony Carey's second proudest moment on the album. Overall, this is Rainbow's proudest moment-- ever.


I see a rainbow rising..........   August 13, 2001
Mark H. (Hanson, MA USA)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

As I sit to write a few words about an album that means so much to me I start to shudder a little in anticipation and excitement. "Rising" is quite simply the greatest hard rock record ever! The combination of Powell, Bain, Carey, Dio and Blackmore however short lived produced absolute magic in 1976. Ronnie James Dio never sang or wrote better lyrics and next to "In Rock" this is Ritchie's undisputed masterpiece. "Stargazer",the mystical successor to "Stairway to Heaven", blows Zeppelin and Purple away in its power and ambition. "Light in the Black" helped invent speed metal with its lightning quick dueling leads of Tony Carey (keyboards) and Blackmore. Carey also shines on the intro to "Tarot Woman" as does Cozy Powell on "Stargazer" and "Light". I personally love "Do You Close Your Eyes" as a welcome mood swing contrasting with the evil magic on much of the album. Witches, wizards, slaves and masters all parade through the black night created by Blackmore and co. I believe this was the album Ritchie always wanted to make after "Deep Purple in Rock" but it took him six years to find the right conspirators. Rainbow followed up this monster with "On Stage" then "Long Live Rock n'Roll" (an album which is almost as breathtaking) which proved to be Dio's curtain call with the band. Rainbow could have been the greatest metal band ever but it was never the same after "Rising" and "LLRNR" as Blackmore chose to pursue commercial success over artistic genius. "Rising" is THE gothic metal classic, nothing else comes close.


Rainbow Remastered.....Oh yea!   December 23, 1999
Terry L. Woods (Bruceton, Tennessee)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

"Rainbow Rising". Just mention this album to true Rainbow fans and 95% of them will say one thing. "THE best Rainbow album ever!" I totaly agree. (Well, actualy "Blackmore's Rainbow" comes close for me also). I have owned this album on cassette and CD. When I found out about the "remastered" Rainbow albums, I just had to go and get them. Is it worth it to get the "Remastered" version? YES! Suha Gur did an excellent job on the remastering on this classic. Ronnie James Dio's vocals jump out and grab you by the throat. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar crunches on. Tony Carey's keyboards sound great to the highest note, while Jimmy Bain's bass and Cozy Powell's drums will slam you back so hard it almost causes whiplash. Not to mention the job done on the CD cover. If there was one thing I would have to complain about this album it is this, there is about 10 seconds of the keyboard opening to "Tarot Woman" taken back out. (Just like on the cassette version). While it was in the first CD version, (Polydor 823 655-2 Y-1). But other than that, this is a definate must have for the true Rainbow fan. A toast! A cheer! Long Live Rock and Roll! Catch the Rainbow!


"I See A Rainbow Rising"   September 3, 2001
Brent Evans (Rockhampton, Australia)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is the classic metal album for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,
before axemeister and taskmaster Blackmore turned the group membership into a game of musicial chairs.The lineup of Ronnie James Dio(vocals ),Ritchie Blackmore(lead guitar),Tony Carey(keyboards),Cozy Powell(drums),and Jimmy Bain(bass guitar) finally broke free the the Deep Purple sound and influence that pervaded the debut album(RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW) and stamped the musical world with their own unique Wizards and Warriors rock.It is this lineup and album that remains the classic with fans of the band.

TAROT WOMAN - Tony Carey takes us on an interstellar flight with his keyboard intro,before Ritchie's opening riffs bring us back down to earth,waiting for Cozy to pound us into the ground.The first time I heard Dio's voice on this track,I became a Rainbow fan.

RUN WITH THE WOLF - Great bluesy number with amazing fretwork from Blackmore and great lyrics sung with menacing conviction by rock's Napoleon."There's a break in the sky . . .something evil's passing by".

STARSTRUCK - Tale of an overzealous and overbearing groupie.Dio spits out the words with exasperative fury.Powell's pounding around his kit is a joy to a skinpounder like myself.

DO YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES - Straightforward chunky rocker that showcases the bedrock team of Powell and Bain.Great lines: "I know a rich man,a poor man . . .I know how to talk to a king".

STARGAZER - The best Rainbow track ever . . .bar none.All the band play a hand in the epic telling of the rise and fall of a Wizard,as witnessed by his slaves/servants/subjects.Blackmore's guitar solo has a Middle Eastern flavour to it.Quite possibly Dio's best lyric and vocal performance of his long career.The orchestra buried in the mix,when released,lift the track hig into the stratosphere where in remains for the next track.

LIGHT IN THE BLACK - A glorious excuse for a long jam session.
All band members get a chance to solo and shine.Tony Carey's fingers fly over his keyboards.Brilliant way to end this landmark in Heavy Metal.


Rainbow's best album   June 22, 2004
Wrathchild862000 (FL, USA)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

Since Ritchie Blackmore is such an unruly and meglomanic b*tch, EVERY SINGLE MEMBER(except Ronnie) was kicked out. Even though that shows how much of an ass he is, it proved to have two desirable results. A) Those guys didn't have to deal with Blackmore anymore, and B) We gained one of Rock's best drummers, Cozy Powell (god rest the man's soul). The album starts with "Tarot Woman", which is a solid rock song (even though it begins to show the constant loop that Ronnie has in his lyrics, including "carousels" and "I don't know" ;). Then we have "Run with the Wolf". Eh, the only song that isn't that good. The 3rd track is "Starstruck". Easily one of Rainbow's better songs. The bass is so simple (then again, so is Jimmy Bain), but it hits nice and hard. Then we have "Do You Close Your Eyes". Actually, let me correct myself. "Run with the Wolf" is actually a pretty good song. "Do You Close your Eyes", FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRT. "Stargazer" is a classic Rainbow song that is excellent. The album ends with "A Light in the Black". This is the best song on the record. Overall, this is Rainbow's best album, and easily one of the best rock albums of the 70's.