Stargazer (Rainbow song)

This song, which tells the story of a wizard , whose idea of ​​taking off by building a tower to the very stars led to the enslavement of a large number of people, is known for its musical merits, in particular, Ritchie Blackmore's solo guitar and Cozy Powell's drum part.

“Stargazer” begins with Powell’s short drum solo, “the great drum moment” ^[1] , often cited as an example of his technique ^{[2] [3]} . The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra was invited to record string arrangements ^[4] . Blackmore's solo after the second verse ( Phrygian dominant scale ) is called one of his best works ^[5] . Blackmore himself called “Stargazer” his favorite track with Rising ^[6] .

According to the author of the words, Ronnie James Dio, the lyrics are written on behalf of the "slave of the times of the Egyptian empire." The magician, an astronomer , "obsessed with the idea of ​​flying," with the help of many slaves erects a tower from which he can take off. People build a tower in difficult conditions ("In the heat and rain, with whips and chains; / to see him fly, so many died" - "In a flame and rain, with whips and chains / To see it fly, many died") waiting for the day when their suffering will end ^[7] . In the end, the wizard ascends to the top of the tower, but instead of flying, falls down and dies (“No sound as he falls instead of rising / Time standing still, then there's blood on the sand” - “Not a sound from the moment he fell instead of vaporization / time stopped; blood in the sand ”) ^[7] . The composition following “Stargazer”, “A Light in the Black”, continues the story, telling about how the enslaved wizard people, having lost the meaning of their existence, “did not know where to go and what to do” until they saw “light in the darkness” " ^{[5] [6]} .

The 2011 release of the 2011 Rising album includes the Stargazer version with introductory organ solo by Tony Carey .

Allmusic ^[8] and MusicHound ^[9] proclaimed Stargazer a Rainbow classic; reviewer Allmusic described it as "a pretentious, string-enriched epic." Vincent de Mazi, analyzing a guitar solo, noted Blackmore's penchant for building a “classical drama” with a “Middle Eastern bias” ^[10] . Jeff Perkins called the song "incredibly epic," highlighting Blackmore's guitar, Dio's vocals and Powell's drums ^[7] . Aaron Arnson ( Sputnikmusic ) also praised the work of Blackmore and Dio and called "Stargazer" the best composition of the album ^[11] .

“Stargazer” was written before the first Rainbow concert tour in the USA and was performed by the group at all concerts from Dio 1975-76, as well as with Bonnet until 1980. After the composition was excluded from the set list of the group. Periodically, “Stargazer” was performed at Dio concerts, starting in the 90s ^[12] .

“Stargazer” sounded again at Rainbow concerts, starting with the 2016 mini-tour in honor of the 40th anniversary of the album Rising ^{[13] [14]} .

• Ronnie James Dio - vocals;
• Richie Blackmore - Guitars;
• Jimmy Bane - bass;
• Tony Carey - keyboards;
• Cozy Powell - Percussion, Percussion

with the participation

• Munich Philharmonic Orchestra - string and copper sections;
• Fritz Sonnleitner - Concert Master;
• Rainer Pietsch - Conductor

• The Norwegian band Mundanus Imperium (with Jorn Lande on vocals) recorded a cover version for The Spectral Spheres Coronation in 1998 ^[15] .
• The Italian group Domine in 2001 recorded a cover version for the album Stormbringer Ruler ^[16] .
• American singer Lana Lane in 2003 recorded a cover version for the album Covers Collection ^[17] .
• The Argentinean Barilari in 2003 recorded a Spanish version of Stargazer for their debut album ^[18] .
• The American group Dream Theater in 2009 recorded a cover version for the album Black Clouds & Silver Linings .
• Danish band Týr recorded a cover version for The Lay of Thrym in 2011 .
• Arabesque from the Netherlands (not to be confused with the 70-80s female disco group ) recorded a cover version for Blackmore's Castle tribute album - A Tribute To Deep Purple & Rainbow .
• In 2014, Metallica, an American band, recorded a potpourri from Dio's Rainbow tracks called “Ronnie Rising Medley” for the tribute album Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life .

• Text "Stargazer"
• Rising on Yandex.Music
• Rainbow Rising on darkside.ru