Rhino Records Announces Details For Re-Issue Of Dio’s ‘Holy Diver’

Courtesy: Rhino Records

Ronnie James Dio’s classic 1983 album, Holy Diver will get the re-issue treatment this summer through Rhino Records.

The company is scheduled to re-issue the album July 8, two days before what would have the late, great singer’s 80th birthday. The re-issue will present the album on two separate platforms, one a four-disc set that includes the original album and three discs loaded with rarities, outtakes, and and live content. The other platform 2-LP set.

Among the live recordings featured in the expanded re-issue are live performances of ‘Rainbow in the Dark,’ ‘Stand Up And Shout,’ Rainbow classics ‘Man on the Silver Mountain’ and ‘Starstruck,’ and Black Sabbath hits ‘Children of the Sea’ and ‘Heaven and Hell’.

Among the outtakes featured in the recording are alternate takes of ‘Rainbow in the Dark,’ ‘Invisible’ and ‘Straight Through The Heart’. Additionally, audiences will get an alternate take of ‘Evil Eyes’.

The rarities featured in the expanded re-issue include and are not limited to mono and stereo 7″ single edits of ‘Rainbow in the Dark,’ and ‘Evil Eyes,’ which was a b-side to ‘Holy Diver.’

The full track listing for the forthcoming re-issue is noted below.

HOLY DIVER: SUPER DELUXE EDITION
CD Track Listing
 
CD1: Holy Diver (2022 Joe Barresi Mix) *
CD2: Holy Diver (2022 Remaster)
1.     “Stand Up And Shout”
2.     “Holy Diver”
3.     “Gypsy”
4.     “Caught In The Middle”
5.     “Don’t Talk To Strangers”
6.     “Straight Through The Heart”
7.     “Invisible”
8.     “Rainbow In The Dark”
9.     “Shame On The Night”
 
CD3: Live at Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1983 
1.     Intro *
2.     “Stand Up And Shout” *
3.     “Straight Through The Heart” *
4.     “Shame On The Night” *
5.     “Children Of The Sea” *
6.     “Holy Diver” *
7.     “Heaven And Hell” – including guitar solo *
8.     “Rainbow In The Dark” *
9.     “Man On The Silver Mountain” *
10.  “Starstuck” *
11.  “Man On The Silver Mountain” – reprise *
12.  “Don’t Talk To Strangers” *
 
CD4: Outtakes, Singles & B-Sides
Tracks 1-7 unreleased
1.     “Evil Eyes” – Wyn Davis remix *
2.     “Don’t Talk To Strangers” – Take 1 (Joe Barresi mix) *
3.     “Invisible” – Take 1 (Joe Barresi mix) *
4.     “Invisible” – Take 3 (Joe Barresi mix) *
5.     “Rainbow In The Dark” – Alternative Guitar Solo Version (Joe Barresi mix) *
6.     “Straight Through The Heart” – Take 2 (Joe Barresi mix) *
7.     “Straight Through The Heart” – Take 3 (Joe Barresi mix)*
8.     “Rainbow In The Dark” – 7” Mono Edit
9.     “Evil Eyes” – 1983 Version. B-Side of “Holy Diver”
10.  “Rainbow In The Dark” – 7” Stereo Edit
 
* previously unreleased
 
 
HOLY DIVER: 2022 Joe Barresi Mix
2-LP Clear Vinyl Track Listing
 
LP1: Side One
1.     “Stand Up And Shout”
2.     “Holy Diver”
3.     “Gypsy”
4.     “Caught In The Middle”
 
LP1: Side Two
1.     “Don’t Talk To Strangers”
2.     “Straight Through The Heart”
3.     “Invisible”
 
LP2: Side One
1.     “Rainbow In The Dark”
2.     “Shame On The Night”
Bonus Track
3.     “Evil Eyes” – 1983 Version. B-Side of “Holy Diver”
 
LP2: Side Two
Etching

More information on this and other titles from Rhino Records is available at:

Website: https://www.rhino.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RHINO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhino_Records

More information on the re-issue is available along with all of the latest Ronnie James Dio news at:

Website: https://ronniejamesdio.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialRJDio

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.  

Classic Dio Album Getting Its Own Graphic Novel

Courtesy: Z2 Comics

Comic publisher Z2 is paying tribute to rock legend Ronnie James Dio.

The music-based comics company is scheduled to publish a new graphic novel centered on Dio’s album Holy Diver next year.  Writer Steve Niles will write the graphic novel’s story, which is based on the album’s cover art.  Scott Hampton will take on the project’s artwork.

Niles was humble as he talked about writing the graphic novel’s story.

“I’m so excited to be writing this book,” he said. “I hope I do Ronnie James Dio justice.”

RJD’s widow Wendy explained the concept behind the 120-page story in a recent interview.

“Steve Niles tells the story behind the album cover ‘Holy Diver,’ a story about how you can’t judge a picture by the way it appears, which is what Ronnie wrote many times in his songs; that you have to see inside the person and not judge them by the way they look or by what they wear,” says Wendy Dio. “Together with Scott Hampton’s amazing artwork they tell the story of ‘Holy Diver,’and I know Ronnie would have given his stamp of approval on this great graphic novel.”

Z2 Publisher Josh Frankel said in his own comments, he was looking forward to the publication of the graphic novel.

“We have managed to work with some of the greatest legends in both comics and music, and a Dio graphic novel with a cover by the great Bill Sienkiewicz perhaps sums that up best,” said Frankel. “This is one of the most iconic heavy metal album covers in history. We are honored to pay tribute to the originator of the universal sign of the music that he has inspired since he first took the stage with Black Sabbath 40 years ago. Working with Wendy Dio directly to ensure it is true to his vision is the next best thing to working with Ronnie James Dio himself, and we have hit a new high note with this one!”

Pre-orders are open now for Dio: Holy Diver.

More information on Dio: Holy Diver is available along with all of the latest Ronnie James Dio news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://ronniejamesdio.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialRJDio

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Dio Re-Issue A Hard Rocking Tribute To A Rock Legend

Courtesy: Niji Entertainment

Concept albums are typically reserved for the realm of rock music that is progressive rock.  Bands the likes of Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, and The Flower Kings have been largely linked to concept albums through rock’s history.  Apparently during his lifetime, nobody had sent this message to rock icon Ronnie James Dio; either that or he got the message and didn’t care.  Regardless of which argument holds more truth, the ultimate truth is that Dio proved that commonly held belief to be entirely untrue with the release of his groundbreaking album, Magica.  Now thanks to Niji Entertainment, Dio’s ever growing legion of fans can experience this work once more.

Over a decade has passed since Magica was originally released on Spitfire Records.  And three years have now passed since the world lost Ronnie James Dio.  In the time since RJD’s passing, a lot has changed in the music industry.  Thankfully, Niji Entertainment has re-issued this landmark album and reminded audiences that it is still possible for rock to be more than down-tuned guitars and indecipherable cookie monster growls.  It is a true treat for Dio fans of all ages.  The album’s new deluxe re-issue offers the original story of Magicka completely restored and sounding as good as ever.  The soaring string instrumentations that accompany the band add a beautiful counterpart to the band’s heaviness throughout the record.  And Dio’s vocals were in prime form on this record, as long-time fans will attest. 

The primary disc’s re-issue is outstanding to say the least.  But the real treat of Magica is the deluxe edition’s bonus disc.  The bonus disc is anchored by RJD himself reading ‘The Magica Story.’  Instead of the full on rock opera that is Magica audiences get Dio serving as storyteller.  The style with which he reads the story leaves listeners hanging on his every word.  It conjures thoughts of Trans Siberian Orchestra.  And being that this legendary singer is sadly no longer with us, hearing him personally reading the story is a wonderful memorial to Dio’s memory.  And since the story is printed out in the booklet included with the re-issue, they can even follow along as he reads the story verbatim.  There are no attempts at bad voices or any other over the top moves.  It is just RJD with a calm music bed as he reads the story.  The manner in which he recites the story’s final lines is wonderful.  He is about to start the next story but instantly cuts himself off, laughing as he says, “That’s another story.”  It makes the whole experience of listening to this record more personal for lack of better wording.  It is just part of what makes the re-issue’s second disc a true bonus.  For that matter, it makes one wonder what Magic 2 and 3 would have sounded like.  Luckily, listeners get a hint of that on the bonus track, ‘Electra’ that is also included on this re-issue.

The reading of ‘The Magica’ Story by Ronnie James Dio himself is a wonderful continuation from the musical story contained on the re-issue’s main disc.  The included bonus tracks and live bootlegs make the second disc even more of a bonus.  Considering that they are called “bootlegs”, the term bootleg should be taken very lightly.  This is a good thing in this case.  That is because the audio quality of the live “bootlegs” here far exceeds that of what one would think when one thinks of the term, “bootleg.”  The bonus studio tracks complete the package, musically speaking.  ‘Electra’ gives a pretty good hint at the later story that Dio references in this story.  It makes one wonder if he perhaps had some manuscripts tucked away somewhere that as is the case with certain late authors have yet to see the light of day.  It’s a nice heavy piece that continues the style established in Magica.  ‘Annica’ is equally intriguing in that it bears what some could argue to be Pink Floyd influences, in terms of the guitar parts.  That in itself is enough to make for even more discussion.  And it is that discussion that helps to make this record’s re-issue an even more completely enjoyable listen that will grow with each listen.  The record is available in stores and online now.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.