Nearly two decades after Eagle Rock Entertainment released its presentation of Rainbow’s 1977 concert in Munich, Germany separately on DVD and 2CD, the company – now known as Mercury Studios – has united those two presentations in one package in a brand-new re-issue of the recording. Released Sept. 19, the three-disc set is an offering that plenty of Rainbow fans have longed for since the concert recording’s original release in 2006. That is, as noted, due in large part to the fact that it has united the recording’s audio and audiovisual presentations in one housing. This really serves as the foundation for this new re-issue. The liner notes included in the new re-issue strengthen that foundation even more with their breadth of information. They will be addressed a little later. The overall production values in the recording round out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted here plays its own important part to the whole of the re-issue of Rainbow’s Live in Munich 1977. All things considered they make Live in Munich 1977 ‘s new re-issue a welcome revisiting of the recording that audiences are sure to appreciate.
Mercury Studios’ new re-issue of Rainbow’s Live in Munich 1977 is the recording that the band’s fans have been hoping for just as much as fans of Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore for a long time. Having been released this past Thursday, roughly 18 years after its initial release, the recording’s success comes in large part through its packaging. In more specific terms, it unites the concert’s standalone 2-CD and DVD presentations in one complete packaging for the first time. Now fans can enjoy the concert whether at home or in their cars instead of having to choose. Why it took this long for this to happen is anyone’s guess. Either way, audiences will agree that finally having the two sides joined at last is reason enough to celebrate.
What’s more, the fact that the three discs that make up the set are housed in a simple gatefold package and are easy to remove and replace. In comparison to the packaging for the 4K re-issues that Mercury Studios and Universal Music Group have been releasing, it is a nice return to form for Mercury Studios. Sadly, it sounds like any other forthcoming 4K re-issues from Mercury Studios and Universal Music Group will have the same packaging as what is has been using. So, the packaging used in this DVD/2CD set is going to be increasingly a rarity from the companies. That makes it even more special here.
Moving on, the general packaging presentation here is just one of the positives for this re-issue. The liner notes featured with the set make for their own share of appeal. Penned by Simon Robinson, the expansive liner notes point out one important fact in the history that Robinson provides. He points out that this Munich, Germany show actually almost did not happen after another show in Munich that was set to be recorded was cancelled. An altercation between Blackmore and a bouncer at another show played partially into this concert almost not taking place. Audiences will be left to read all about that for themselves. Additionally, Robinson notes that this performance, which took the place of the originally planned concert, features the only filmed performance featuring the lineup of Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Cozy Powell on drums, and Ronnie James Dio on vocals. It makes the concert all the more special for audiences because as Robinson notes, “The ’77 shows were in some ways the apex of Rainbow’s early career” considering the lineup changes that would come after those tours, which included this rare concert recording.
Between everything that Robinson points out in his expansive liner notes and everything that audiences have to appreciate from the set’s packaging, there is clearly a lot to like about this re-issue of Live in Munich 1977. That collective “material” is just part of what audiences will appreciate about this recording. The overall production values in the recording put the finishing touch to the whole. Considering the CD and full concert presentations here were carried over directly from their previous releases, that is no surprise. The sound balance is expert, and the video edits give audiences the best seat in the house while the overall effect generates a great sense of nostalgia as it shows how well the footage has stood the test of time. The positive aesthetic impact of the recording’s production works with the positive packaging and the history that the liner notes provide to make the whole a concert experience that rock purists, Rainbow fans and those of Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio.
Mercury Studios’ brand-new re-issue of Rainbow’s Live in Munich 1977 is a positive new presentation of the rare concert recording. Its success comes in part through its packaging, which finally unites its previously separate DVD and 2 CD releases. Additionally, it is the packaging that Mercury Studios has been using for a long time for multi-disc sets. In comparison to that of the 4K re-issues that the company has been releasing in recent months (through its parent company, Universal Music Group), it is far better in terms of its general quality. The liner notes that accompany the package enhance the experience because of the history that they provide. They will immerse listeners even more in the concert, and in turn, make the experience all the more enjoyable. The production puts the finishing touch to the whole, ensuring audiences get the best seat in the house. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of Live in Munich 1977. All things considered they make the recording a must for any Rainbow fan.
Live in Munich 1977 is available now. More information on this and other titles from Mercury Studios is available at:
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