Tag: dio

This is quite a nice live rendition of Ronnie’s best bits. It was recorded in ’83 in Fresno, and this edition was released as part of RSD. This is a warts and all recording that sounds as though there were minimal overdubs, especially on the vocals. You have to give the little man credit where it’s due because it’s not easy to sing these songs live.

Vivian Campbell is on fire and you have to wonder why he joined Def Leppard as he is totally restrained in that band. (Did somebody mention money?) Plus, he must have balls of steel, not only is he being himself but he also has to be Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore, so no pressure then. It’s very tough to pick a favourite track from all the epics on display here, but just on the performance alone I have to go for Stand Up And Shout. This is a rip roaring version that seems to be faster than the original but it’s a savage rendition.

Shane the little man is no longer with us, but you have to admit he left behind a fine body of work.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

This is technically Ronnie’s third solo album as Dio, but if you check out his bio he has been releasing things since the fifties. That’s right back to the beginning of rock n roll!!! Crazy right? I’m not the biggest Dio fan if I’m honest as I only own two of his solo albums, the other being Holy Diver.

The King Of Rock And Roll feels like a follow up to Long Live Rock And Roll, but Vivian just rips it up with a great riff and solo. In fact, Vivian Campbell is what makes this album – his playing is killer. There were a couple of singles from this album: Rock N’ Roll Children and Hungry For Heaven, which actually charted. It’s a very one paced album and not many songs that go through the gears, but I do like Fallen Angels with Vivian playing a great riff and solo. I think it’s well documented Dio’s hate for Vivian after he jumped ship to join Def Leppard, but they did make some good music together.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Could this be Dio’s finest hour?…Yep! I know he made great albums with Rainbow, and the two Sabbath albums are great, but his name was on the cover here and had to be amazing as a big FU to his previous employers. I’m not a fan of all the dragons and demons nonsense, and it wears a bit thin after a while, unless you are a hobbit from Hobbiton, but there is no denying this album is a bonafide classic.

The opening track alone is just immense. A killer riff and guitar from Vivian, a brilliant heavy groove from Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice, and Ronnie sings his ass off. Now that ladies and germs is how you do an opening track! Even the slower tracks like Rainbow In The Dark are amazing. He was out to prove a point and boy didn’t he just. For a diminutive little fellow he sure could belt out a tune, what a set of pipes he had. I don’t have to say too much about this album other than everyone should own at least one Dio album and my money is on this one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.