The link below has videos of the Birmingham show.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-rainbow-singer-ronnie-romero-says-first-three-shows-were-a-dream-come-true/
Originally from Chile and now settled in Madrid, Spain, new RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero spoke to Metal Shock Finland's Alison Booth about the band's recent three comeback shows and the possibility of future performances from the Ritchie Blackmore-led outfit. You can now listen to the chat at this location. A couple of excerpts follow.
On he feels after performing the first three RAINBOW shows:
Romero: "I feel like in a dream. It's hard to assimilate all that has happened in the last few weeks. Not just living this situation with Ritchie and the other bandmates in RAINBOW, [but also the chance to] meet the fans so close to the stage and backstage and all the people going to the show. And then, all these musicians that I love and that [were] at the shows and [they] talked to me and told me that I [did] a great job. But it's a dream come true."
On RAINBOW rehearsals for recent shows:
Romero: "Well, there [were] two rounds of rehearsals — one in November and the other in May. And we rehears[ed] maybe a couple of weeks at a time. It was a little bit strange, because [they weren't] rehearsals like I know a rehearsal. [They were more] like jam sessions and improvisations a lot with the songs."
On working with RAINBOW mainman Ritchie Blackmore:
Romero: "Ritchie is Ritchie. It's amazing to see how he can still play guitar at 71 years old. It's amazing. He's a legend. Ritchie is a really nice guy inside the band. He made me feel very comfortable and very good. And all the bandmembers, we have like a little family, you know. Ritchie [made] me feel very good, not just in the rehearsals, but [also] on stage [during these] two weeks of tour[ing]."
On how he feels about his performances with RAINBOW:
Romero: "I feel really good with my job, because I tried to make justice, not just to the songs, but all these singers — Ronnie James Dio, Joe Lynn Turner, Graham Bonnet, Ian Gillan and David Coverdale. I just tried to sing the songs in my own way and my own style, and I think the people appreciate that. I'm not just a copy of the other singers. I prefer to sing like Ronnie Romero singing these songs of Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale and whatever. And I think the people prefer that, and they really appreciate the situation, because I think the people don't like to see a guy or pay for a ticket to see a guy try to sing like Ronnie James Dio. It's not a good idea. So I feel really good with my job and I know the people and the fans that have sent me messages and told me that they really appreciated [how I interpreted the songs]."
On whether there will be more shows for RAINBOW:
Romero: "I hope so. I really hope that we can do some more shows, maybe next year. I have a really great feeling about the band and about this relatship with Ritchie. He's really happy with the results, he's really happy with the audience [response]. And maybe we can make some more shows next year."
The new lineup of RAINBOW made its live debut on June 17 at the Monsters Of Rock festival at Freilichtbühne in Loreley, Germany. Joining Ritchie in the group were Romero, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT).
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
That singer did a solid job. I'll admit, I'll probably stick with my old Purple and Rainbow DVDs though. These versions didn't offer much new.
I thought the most impressive/surprising aspect was Ronnie's singing. Every video I watched, he was solid. Well done Ritchie.
Ritchie showed some wear and you could tell that he has not been doing the rock thing. Not bad by any stretch just some cobwebs. The aspect that I had predicted came true though where Ritchie was more controlled and made less "noise". I have seen him and own many things where we all know sometimes he was just smashing, banging, scraping and out of control. Was never a part of his playing that I liked. In small doses sure but not extended and multiple songs of it. More just straight playing this time around.
(Side bar - He nearly killed my friend and I at one show. Busted his Strat up and only a big chunk of the body was left attached to his cord. Swinging it over ours heads like a lasso. Would have busted someone's head open if contact was made. Got the pickguard with pickups and wiring mostly in tact.)
For me the weak link seemed to be the bassist. Don't think it was his style of music and at times his parts were different than the originals and seemed off. Could be a Youtube sound thing though. Again not bad but lacking to me.
I have so much Ritchie stuff from before Purple straight through Blackmore's Night so one more DVD won't hurt at this stage. Plus hearing better audio has to improve on what seemed great to me. Rainbow at it's peak? No but I'll take it.
I'll be picking up the DVD when it comes out, I loved watching Ritchie riffing out to Burn, that singer sounds great if he only came after RJD...
I thought the most impressive/surprising aspect was Ronnie's singing. Every video I watched, he was solid. Well done Ritchie.
Ritchie showed some wear and you could tell that he has not been doing the rock thing. Not bad by any stretch just some cobwebs. The aspect that I had predicted came true though where Ritchie was more controlled and made less "noise". I have seen him and own many things where we all know sometimes he was just smashing, banging, scraping and out of control. Was never a part of his playing that I liked. In small doses sure but not extended and multiple songs of it. More just straight playing this time around.
I agree.
I was having a discussion with someone else on another site about the latest Rainbow show. He was just taking RB to task. Just totally dogging him for not showing any fire, emotion,playing was to mellow . First off his 71. My argument back was that Ritchie would never show a lot of emotion to begin with unless he was beating his Strat into submission. He would at times in the past and during this run I watched a good chunk of all the available video , and for what little he showed(even smiling) thats saying alot .His playing ,I believe has become more controlled (for the time being) due to the last 20 yrs playing precision technical classic style finger picking guitar. That will give you discipline for sure. I study took lessons a few years ago from a local classical guitar player just to brush up a little on my fingerstyle and it did help alot.
The rest of the band is hard to figure out. My thinking on that is he maybe wanted more of a controlled environment/pace, maybe a rhythm section he is familiar with. The keyboard player, Jens, from what I know is quite respected in his genre of music.
I would like to know what bug got to Ritchie to play these rock shows. Sure glad he did.
I always though he would never go back, just from knowing his personality, comments he has made and so forth. I know he was being sued by his record label for not supporting the latest Blackmores Night release, so I am not sure if that had some bearing behind it. I would find it hard to believe he would be hard up for cash.
I already have these songs in some form or other , but if you know someone who is interested in some great melodic RB playing, this is the ticket. Not a heavy rock showcase,( a few ) but focuses on his emotive phrasing and technique. Great stuff!!!
One of my first Ritchie songs I learned how to play was Weiss Heim.
http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/album-groupe-Rainbow-nom_album-Ballads_and_Instrumental-l-en.html
1. Temple of the King
2. Catch the Rainbow
3. Self Portrait
4. Rainbow Eyes
5. Love's No Friend
6. Midnight Tunnel Vision
7. Stone Cold
8. Tearin' Out My Heart
9. Desperate Heart
10. Still I'm Sad
11. Maybe Next Time
12. Difficult to Cure
13. Snowman
14. Anybody There
15. Weiss Heim
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
