A Moment in Time… Captured Forever
Following on from the excellent The Temple of the King: 1975–1976 CD box set, we now have something very special for Record Store Day — Rainbow – Live in Köln 1976, finally presented across a 3LP vinyl set.
This is a triple vinyl “vinyl pack” release rather than a gatefold.
- Red, yellow and blue vinyl across the three discs
- No elaborate booklet or inner sleeve photography
- A fairly stripped-back presentation
Now, yes… part of me would have loved a full gatefold with photos from the era.
But let’s be honest — if you’re picking this up, it’s not about the packaging.
This concert has circulated for years in different formats, but here…
This is the best it has ever sounded.
Remastered by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham, the clarity and power are simply stunning.
The Performance – Rainbow at Their Peak
This is Rainbow at full power.
- Ritchie Blackmore — completely free, at his creative peak
- Ronnie James Dio — untouchable, emotionally locked in
- Cozy Powell — thunderous, commanding
- Tony Carey — adding atmosphere and drama
- Jimmy Bain — holding it all together
This was that magical window — 1974 to 1976 — where Blackmore wasn’t chasing hits…
He was chasing music.
And you can hear it.
They weren’t just playing together — they were meant to be together in that moment.
Why This Release Feels So Special
This is where it became personal for me.
Listening to this on vinyl…
Turning each side…
Letting the full concert unfold…
I was transported straight back.
I saw Rainbow on this tour — Birmingham Odeon, 1976 — and sitting with this record, at a proper volume, I could feel that same energy again.
The Complete Experience
Unlike the classic On Stage album, which had to be edited into a double LP format…
This 3LP set gives you the full show.
Nothing squeezed.
Nothing trimmed.
Just the band… as they were.
And that makes all the difference.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Thank you Phil for this wonderful review, you made this weekend better