DIO - Live In London: Hammersmith Apollo
Eagle Rock Entertainment
http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/

Rating: B

Ronnie James Dio is one of those rare people who were as revered in life as much as he is in death.  This man was pure talent.  He was the Godfather of Metal and he took that position seriously.   Few in the genre are as historically significant as Ronnie. 

Eagle Rock Entertainment has released a DVD of DIO Live in London at the Hammersmith Apollo.  The show was recorded in 1993 and was previously unreleased until now.  This makes it a very special show for DIO fans and collectors. 

The band was touring in support of their Strange Highways album.  While this album is not considered one of the band’s best, they still play the classics well in a live setting.  Fans never totally accepted guitarist Tracy G, yet on this DVD he shows he can put his money where his fingers are.  He slams out the classic tunes including “Stand Up and Shout,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Children of the Sea” with ease.  Drummer Vinny Appice and bass player Jeff Pilson do a great job of laying the ground work for Tracy to solo over.  Of course, the vocals are superb.  This is Ronnie James Dio we are talking about, and when he sings “Man On the Silver Mountain,” “Heaven and Hell,” “We Rock,” “The Last in Line” and “Holy Diver” he does not disappoint.

There are bonus features that are fun as well, as the viewer gets a look backstage at the lives of international heavy metal rock stars in 1993.  We are sad to say that it is not as wild as one might have imagined…goofy and funny and more of a family feeling is the vibe chasing down this band…and that’s just the way Ronnie wanted it. 

Track Listing:
01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Strange Highways
03. Don't Talk To Strangers
04. Evilution
05. Pain (with guitar solo)
06. The Mob Rules
07. Children of the Sea
08. Holy Diver
09. Heaven and Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Drum Solo
12. Heaven And Hell (reprise)
13. Jesus Mary & The Holy Ghost
14. Hollywood Black
15. The Last In Line
16. Rainbow In The Dark
17. We Rock
18. Here's To You

By Jeb Wright