RAINBOW - Catch The Rainbow: The Anthology

It used to be you'd wait 10 years for a Rainbow compilation, and now there's one round every 10 minutes. A bit mad, and a bit pointless. This one, however, bills itself as the 'ultimate Rainbow collection - 28 stellar recordings', which, apart from indicating a lack of scientific understanding, is a bit of a claim. And it sort of lives up to it. Every album from the original Rainbow incarnation(s) is represented, with 3 from the debut, 4 from "Rising", 1 from "Live", 3 from "Long Live Rock'n'Roll", 4(ish) from "Down To Earth", 4(ish) from "Difficult To Cure", 3 from "Straight Between The Eyes", 3 from "Bent Out Of Shape" and 1 from "Finyl Vinyl".

Now, obviously, everyone has their own opinion of what is the 'best' and with the various Rainbow lineups differing in fairly radical fashion, there are few people who could objectively put a compilation of all the periods together. Things are fairly non-contentious during the Ronnie James Dio years with all the usual suspects rounded up ("Stargazer", "Man On The Silver Mountain, "Kill The King" etc). Fortunately, "Catch The Rainbow" and "Light In The Black" are included, which precludes my usual rant. Which, in case you were wondering involves "Light In The Black" being the best track on "Rising". And they chuck on "MIstreated" from the "Live" album for a bit of variety.

Into the Graham Penis years, and well.... "Down To Earth" is an OK album, and I am delighted to see "Eyes Of The World" appearing. But I would happily burn the master tapes of "Since You Been Gone" and "All Night Long". And with the -ish B side of "Weiss Heim" being included, it makes for a very poor cull. They should have dumped those three tracks and put on "Lost In Hollywood". Now, that's a song.

Then onwards into the controversial Jolene period. Which, frankly, I enjoyed. On record. Let's not mention the live performances. Ever. No surprise after the "Down To Earth" comments here's "I Surrender". "Spotlight Kid" - yes. "Can't Happen Here", - oh dear god, the pain. Social commentary from tax exile millionaires. Where's my Sting crossbow when I need it most. "Jealous Lover" - yes. It may have been a B-side, but it was actually quite good, and a better indicator of Joe Lynn Turners vocal ability, after he'd had to sing in the wrong range after Graham Bonnets departure. Four tracks from "Straight Between The Eyes", which is fine by me, as it's my favourite late era Rainbow album. And it's impossible to have too many copies of "Tearin' Out My Heart". So there. The slightly duff "Bent Out Of Shape" album ended things, although they have cherry picked the better tracks for this comp, so don't be fooled into thinking it's a good album. Things end with the 'rare' live version of "Difficult To Cure" from the "Finyl Vinyl' compilation. A bit pointless.

So, a reasonable selection of tracks, with a few gripes. But, and it's a bit but. Did no-one at Universal think we'd notice that they have simply copied the sleeve notes from the 1997 "Best Of Rainbow" single CD, which includes references to the reformed 1990s Rainbow, and questions whether the new version will scale the heights of the previous incarnations. Well, I can answer that. No. They split up. Ritchie Blackmore now wears tights and plays the mandolin. Dirty record company bandits.

Verdict. If you don't have a Rainbow Best Of, then this is a good one. But I suspect the casual punter seeing "All Night Long" on VH1 Classic Rock will be buying the £5.99 single CD "Pot Of Gold" rather than this one. And if you're a fan, you not only have all the music, you've probably got the sleeve notes as well. WIth a bit of effort this could have been great. Updated sleeve notes, some live material, of which there are thousands of hours of soundboard copies floating round, and a less contemptuous approach to the record buying public.

JET JOHNSON - Donnie (Seriously Groovy CD single)

From what little I'd heard about this lot, it scarcely set the pulses racing. A lo-fi post rock supergroup comprising people from bands famous for John Peel fans having heard about them. So. it was not with any sense of glee, that I placed this into the ceedee player.

And what do you know? They lied. "Donnie", a lovelorn lament ot the Osmond of that name is perfect summertime pop music. Glistening on the back burner, neither threatening or complacent. Just there for when you need it. MArvellous. "Cats I nHeaven" is a bit twee and fragile, and only on track three "Synd" do they actually turn into what they allegedly are.

If you bought any of Luke Haines finer pop moments, then you're going to love this. Forget about Peachfuzz and Billy Mahonie, and concentrate on what is delicate, intelligent and crafted pop supremacy. I won't stray past the first track often, but then that is what singles are supposed to be. Three minutes when you forget about your troubles, and lose yourself in a moment of self gratification. But without the tissues.

http://www.seriouslygroovy.com

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL - The Flying Saturday Visit

A bit different from Ozzfest. Blindingly hot day, rather well organised, loads of good bands. A fair bit of ambling around, but made a point of catching as much as possible from;

MAIN STAGE

IRON MAIDEN / MARILYN MANSON / MINISTRY / MURDERDOLLS

Results, in reverse order, were;

Ministry - who made all the right moves, made all the right noises, but just seemed to miss the mark. Marilyn Manson - maybe it was the daylight, but MM also just failed, although big props for sounding fabulous. However, the theatrics were minimalist. Probably best indoors on his own terms. Murderdolls - had the hottest fans, and were the biggest surprise of the day, working the crowd like consummate professionals, and rocking like a very hard thing indeed. Between bands, songs were being played over the PA. When "Doctor Doctor" by UFO came on just about everyone down the front knew it, so it turned into a massive singalong. That song went down better than some of the bands! Then Iron Maiden hit the ground running. Iron Maiden - were Iron Maiden. They played all the favourites, charged around the stage like men half their age, and put all the young bucks to shame. Favourite bit - "Iron Maiden". The Di'anno years were the best.

SCUZZ STAGE

SEPULTURA / HIM / ARCH ENEMY / CHIMAIRA

Results, in reverse order, were;

Arch Enemy - sounded good, but seemed a bit lost on a festival bill. Him - not a festival band. Mid-paced electro goth gloom goes down a treat after dark in a moody venue, replete with dry ice. Good but not great, buy the ceedeed instead. Chimaira - Aaaaaaaaaagh! Metal, metal, devil horn, metal, shouty, aaaaaaaaagh. And it was still AM. Marvellous. Sepultura - were the finest band on all day. Not only have the made a tremendous album, but they ripped the marquee apart through the force of will, brutal riffing and a "Rrrrrrrrooooooaaaaarrrgggh"! Tremendous.

So, a day that put the Ozzfest to shame. Good weather, good organisation, good vibe. Downers - too many young bands who seem to habe no idea how to perform live. Snippets of Soil, Sikth and the dire Inme had the head shaking, and not in a good day. Worst band - Deftones. Lamentable faux emo played by fat blokes. Dullus extremus.

But I'll be back.

MARILYN MANSON - mObscene (CD single)

The really strange thing about Marilyn Manson is how no-one recognises the genius writer of pop singles that he actually is. He knows how to write a killer hook and chorus, and how to pack it, along with the kitchen sink into a 3 minute format. WHich is one of the most difficult things to do. From "Beautiful People" through to "The Fight Song", he rarely misses the mark. And "mObscene" is no different. There's a dense riff for the rockers. a kiddy sing-a-long chorus for the deviants, and a whole new Weimarian image for the goths. Tremendous. For some reason, the video is on the normal single, while the DVD has an audio version, some interview footage, but no video? But go for the normal single, which has the finest version of "Tainted Love" ever! Fact.

Alastair Greene - A Little Wiser

Wandering round the www thingy looking for some new blues rock thrills I stumbled across this ceedee, and in that most wonderful of manner an accidental purchase becomes an item of joy. Firmly rooted in my favoured SRV shredding guitar meets soulful vocals meets the blues in a corner and dukes it out, this is a cracker.

Kicking off with some Muddy Waters, I expected another covers set, but it was with undisguised glee that I noted original after original song blasting from the speakers with the only other cover being the Albert King cover "Love Too Strong", a slow blues that shows Alastair can handle emotion as well as vibe.

Alastair Greene can handle riffs and slide with consummate ease and I'm sure his Gibson was the worse for wear after some of the notes he tore from it. Some tight rhythm work from Tom Lackner and Jack Kennedy aided and abetted sometimes by a splash of harmonica and Hammond organ just to spice up the pot. ). The Alastair Greene Band has shared stages with the likes of John  Mayall And The Bluesbreakers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Lonnie Brooks, and  Robin Trower as well as playing many other shows around Southern California, and it's easy to see why. A gem.

http://www.agsongs.com

ANTHRAX - We've Come For You All

I've been around so long, I remember "Fistful Of Metal", when it was a new release. I also remember the not at all cartoonish Joey Belladonna, I saw them go from support to Public Enemy tours to the where are they now file. I remember when Jon Bush arrived and they made one of the greatest unsung classics in "Sound Of White Noise", a release that should have catapulted them into the stratosphere.

And here we are in 2003. Megadeth have gone, Slayer still rock like bastards, albeit fat ones playing the same choons of 20 years ago, Metallica are so far up Lars tight arse they may as well change their name to Coldplay, and Anthrax were under the radar. Then last year they came along for the ride with Motorhead and did the unthinkable. Blew Lemmy off stage.

I was stunned, shocked, amazed, and determined to buy their forthcoming release. And lo it is good. Their finest since "Sound..", which makes it their 2nd best ever. Fact. Naturally, there's two tracks too many (four if you got the version with bonus tracks), but this rocks like a very large, very heavy rock. A boomabstic, melodic metal, that knows where to put the hooks without sacrificing the brutality. This is so good, even Dimebag rumbles in from his Pantera sabbatical to lay down a couple of solos.

The finest metal release in years, you really need this. And they're heading back for their 3rd visit in a year, so catch it while you can. Music this good doesn't happen along too often. Use it, abuse it, but don't miss it.

Crucial tracks - "Refuse To Be Denied", "Any Place But Here", "Taking The Music Back".

ROGER CHAPMAN’S “RIffBURGLARS”

Subtitled ‘The Shortlist/ Riffburglar Album aka The Legendary Funny Cider Sessions- Vol 1 The Riffburglars ‘Swag’’ this double CD set catalogues Roger’s 1981-83 sessions when he was big in Germany but frozen out by Punk and New Wave in the UK. The musicians play under pseudonyms but can be identified as (CD 1) Tim Hinkley on keys, Geoff Whitehorn (currently appearing on the marvellous new Procol Harum album ‘The Wells’ on Fire’) on guitar, Steve Simpson on guitar, slide, violin and accordion, Nick Pentelow on sax, Micky Moody on slide and dobro, Boz Burrell on bass and Alan Coulter on drums (Roger is Sonny Spider and adds harmonica) Apart from ‘Big Roll Daddy’ and ‘Stovepipe’ all the numbers are cover versions with a few blues (including Willy Dixon’s ‘Bring it on Home’ and J.B.Lenoir’s ‘Sing ‘Em The Way I Feel’), a couple of Chuck Berry numbers (including a wonderful version of ‘Havana Moon’), a bit of this and a bit of that- good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and blues! Whitehorn takes the vocal on the Bruce/ Brown Cream song ‘Strange Brew’. Like the cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Big River’ it could never match the original of course but that’s not the point- it’s unusual to have such a ‘good time’ feel on a record as Chapman and the Shortlist pay homage to their ‘jukebox heroes’. On CD 2 the Reverend Stovepipe (Hinkley) departs to be replaced by Zoot Money and John Lingwood takes over the drum stool. There’s also no Mick Moody. However, the resident guitarists (and vocalist- it’s not Roger) do a fine job on the Booker T Jones and William T Bell classic ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ (wrongly credited to Albert King) There’s also a rousing version of ‘High Heel Sneakers’ where most of the band help out with the vocals. A great version of the Randy Newman song ‘Mama Told Me Not to Come’ (This also appears on the recently issued ‘Family & Friends’ box set along with a couple of other tracks) and the unlikely combination of ‘Who Do You Love?’ in a medley with Henry Mancini’s ‘Peter Gunn’ add an eclectic touch to really enjoyable set. (Mystic Records MYS CD 165)

(Reviewed by Phil Jackson)