Down to Earth (Rainbow album)
Encyclopedia
Down To Earth is the fourth studio album released by Rainbow
, released in 1979. Most of the album had been already written and recorded by the time Graham Bonnet
was recruited. Also recruited were ex-Deep Purple
bassist Roger Glover
and keyboardist Don Airey
. Lyrics were by Glover (with Bonnet making several uncredited contributions), music by Blackmore, Airey and Cozy Powell
.
This was to be the only Rainbow album on which Bonnet sang, although he was still part of the band when writing for Difficult to Cure
began.
"Bad Girl", an outtake from the album sessions, was used as the B-side to the "Since You Been Gone" single.
Similarly, "Weiss Heim", an instrumental recorded in Copenhagen in January 1980, was the B-side to "All Night Long".
Also recorded for the proposed next single but unreleased due to Bonnet's departure, was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow
". Bonnet had previously recorded this song for his first, eponymously-titled, solo album in 1977. Rainbow's version was recorded in the studio in May 1980, during rehearsals for the Japanese leg of the Down to Earth tour. It was subsequently played live throughout that tour.
In the UK there was a limited edition clear vinyl LP release.
In 1980 Blackmore's Rainbow headlined the inaugural Monsters of Rock
festival at Castle Donington
in England.
A remastered CD reissue was released in May 1999, with packaging duplicating the original vinyl. In 2010, a Deluxe Edition of the album was released, featuring bonus disc with previously unreleased songs and instrumental versions of basic tracks.
Songs off the album are often performed by Graham Bonnet at his solo shows, as well as at concerts which he performed with Don Airey (2001) and Joe Lynn Turner (2007).
Critic and author Martin Popoff
has cited this album as his favorite by Rainbow.
and Roger Glover
except where noted.
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
, released in 1979. Most of the album had been already written and recorded by the time Graham Bonnet
Graham Bonnet
Graham Bonnet is an English rock vocalist, and songwriter. He has recorded and performed as a solo artist, and as a member of several hard rock and heavy metal bands including Rainbow, the Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and Impellitteri.-Early days:Bonnet was born in Skegness in 1947...
was recruited. Also recruited were ex-Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
bassist Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
and keyboardist Don Airey
Don Airey
Donald Airey has been the keyboardist in the rock band Deep Purple since 2002, succeeding Jon Lord...
. Lyrics were by Glover (with Bonnet making several uncredited contributions), music by Blackmore, Airey and Cozy Powell
Cozy Powell
Colin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
.
This was to be the only Rainbow album on which Bonnet sang, although he was still part of the band when writing for Difficult to Cure
Difficult to Cure
Difficult to Cure is the fifth studio album by the British rock band, Rainbow, and was released in 1981. The album marked the further commercialization of the band's sound with Blackmore once describing at the time liking for the rock band, Foreigner....
began.
"Bad Girl", an outtake from the album sessions, was used as the B-side to the "Since You Been Gone" single.
Similarly, "Weiss Heim", an instrumental recorded in Copenhagen in January 1980, was the B-side to "All Night Long".
Also recorded for the proposed next single but unreleased due to Bonnet's departure, was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
"Will You Love Me Tomorrow", also known as "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and originally recorded by The Shirelles. It has been recorded by many artists and was ranked among Rolling Stone 's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #125...
". Bonnet had previously recorded this song for his first, eponymously-titled, solo album in 1977. Rainbow's version was recorded in the studio in May 1980, during rehearsals for the Japanese leg of the Down to Earth tour. It was subsequently played live throughout that tour.
In the UK there was a limited edition clear vinyl LP release.
In 1980 Blackmore's Rainbow headlined the inaugural Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock was an annual music festival held in England, then moved in other locations like The Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile.The Last show was in 2008....
festival at Castle Donington
Castle Donington
Castle Donington is a village, with a population of around 7000 in the North West of Leicestershire, part of the Derby postcode area and on the edge of the National Forest. It is the closest town to East Midlands Airport.-Transport and housing:...
in England.
A remastered CD reissue was released in May 1999, with packaging duplicating the original vinyl. In 2010, a Deluxe Edition of the album was released, featuring bonus disc with previously unreleased songs and instrumental versions of basic tracks.
Songs off the album are often performed by Graham Bonnet at his solo shows, as well as at concerts which he performed with Don Airey (2001) and Joe Lynn Turner (2007).
Critic and author Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff is a Canadian-born music journalist and critic who covers the genre of heavy metal music. The senior editor and co-founder of Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine, he has additionally written over twenty books that both critically evaluate heavy metal and document its history...
has cited this album as his favorite by Rainbow.
Track listing
All songs written by Ritchie BlackmoreRitchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
and Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
except where noted.
Side one
- "All Night Long" – 3:53
- "Eyes of the World" – 6:42
- "No Time to Lose" – 3:45
- "Makin' Love" – 4:38
Side two
- "Since You Been GoneSince You Been Gone"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
" (Russ BallardRuss BallardRussell Glyn Ballard is an English singer, songwriter and musician.-Career:Ballard was initially a guitarist with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano and Bob Henrit on drums...
) – 3:25 - "Love's No Friend" – 4:55
- "Danger Zone" – 4:31
- "Lost in Hollywood" (Blackmore, Glover, Cozy PowellCozy PowellColin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
) – 4:51
Disc 1
- "All Night Long" – 3:53
- "Eyes of the World" – 6:42
- "No Time to Lose" – 3:45
- "Makin' Love" – 4:38
- "Since You Been GoneSince You Been Gone"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
" (Russ Ballard) – 3:25 - "Love's No Friend" – 4:55
- "Danger Zone" – 4:31
- "Lost in Hollywood" (Blackmore, Glover, Cozy Powell) – 4:51
- "Bad Girl" - 4:51
- "Weiss Heim" (Blackmore) - 5:15
Disc 2
- "All Night Long" (Instrumental outtake) – 4:43
- "Eyes of the World" (Instrumental outtake) – 6:52
- "Spark Don't Mean a Fire" - 3:52
- "Makin' Love" (Instrumental Outtake) – 4:46
- "Since You Been GoneSince You Been Gone"Since You Been Gone" is a 1970s rock song written and recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album Winning. It has also been recorded by numerous other artists, including all-girl group Clout, Cherie Currie and Head East...
" (Instrumental outtake) (Russ Ballard) – 4:02 - "Ain't a Lot of Love in the Heart of Me" - 5:00
- "Danger Zone" (Instrumental outtake) – 5:31
- "Lost in Hollywood" (Instrumental outtake) (Blackmore, Glover, Cozy Powell) – 4:03
- "Bad Girl" (Instrumental outtake) – 5:04
- "Ain't a Lot of Love in the Heart of Me" (Alternate outtake) - 5:23
- "Eyes of the World" (Instrumental outtake) – 6:11
- "All Night Long" (Cozy Powell mix) – 3:54
Personnel
- Graham BonnetGraham BonnetGraham Bonnet is an English rock vocalist, and songwriter. He has recorded and performed as a solo artist, and as a member of several hard rock and heavy metal bands including Rainbow, the Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and Impellitteri.-Early days:Bonnet was born in Skegness in 1947...
– vocals - Ritchie BlackmoreRitchie BlackmoreRichard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Don AireyDon AireyDonald Airey has been the keyboardist in the rock band Deep Purple since 2002, succeeding Jon Lord...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Cozy PowellCozy PowellColin Flooks , better known as Cozy Powell, was an English rock drummer who made his name with many major rock bands.-Early history:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Singles
- 1979 – Since You Been Gone/Bad Girl
- 1979 – Since You Been Gone/No Time To Lose (Germany)
- 1980 – All Night Long/Weiss Heim
- 1980 – All Night Long/No Time To Lose (Holland)