LIVE IN NÜRNBERG 1976

''On Stage'' was for a long time the only official RAINBOW live album. Then, in 1990, double CD ''Live in Germany 1976'', containing records made in 4 different cities, saw the light of day. And it was the only album containing live version of ''Stargazer''. In order to celebrate the 30th anniversary of RAINBOW first world tour, please fans and probably earn some money, complete records of 3 shows played in the end of September 1976 - in Köln (Cologne in English), Düsseldorf and Nürnberg (Nuremberg) - were released in 2006 - 2007. All these double CD sets have the same track lists and the same songs' running order.

I have not heard Köln and Düsseldorf concerts, but like this Nürnberg record a lot. The sound is, at least to my ears, more detailed than on ''Live in Germany 1976'' CD, the band was in a good form and musicians showed all their best that night - the power, Dio's unique vocal delivery, Ritchie's inventive and unpredictable guitar sounds, Tony Carey's nice keyboard runs and solos and thundering rhythm section. Some songs (''Mistreated'', ''Stargazer'' and ''Do You Close Your Eyes'') are shorter than on ''Live in Germany 1976'', and for good - solos never turn to noodling. Great and honest record of the best RAINBOW line-up. Highly recommended, especially if you don't have other records from this tour.