Difficult To Cure

Originally had on LP back in the day , but finally upgraded to CD at last, love the album

The track "I Surrender" is probably known by every Rainbow fan. Not knowing the band that well, I must admit to not knowing the other tracks. The link that brought me to this album was the fact that this is a "relative" of Deep Purple. I am a great lover of that band's "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" - although it had to grow on me! As a result I had to hear what Rainbow did with the European Anthem - Beethoven's Ode to Joy. SUPERB!!!

Probably one of the most under-rated Rainbow albums. I remember reading a review of this album when it was first released in Sounds or Melody Maker (can't remember). The review focused on the replacement of Graham Bonnet with Joe Lynn Turner and of Cozy Powell with Bobby Rondinelli and bemoend the quality of the replacements. It complained about this being a further step away from classic Dio-era Rainbow but also that it didn't have the commercial clout of the previous album with Graham Bonnet, Down To Earh.What it didn't do was talk much about how good the music was. For those unfamiliar with the album songs such as Spotlight Kid and the hit single, I Surrender, will probably be well known but tracks such as Magic and Can't Happen Here are equally as well written rock songs. What makes this album particularly good though are the two instrumentals Vielleicht das nachste Mal (Maybe Next Tme) and Difficult To Cure. The former is a dreamy melodic demonstration of the beauty of Blackmore's guitar playing whilst the latter is the band's version of Beethoven's Ninth which highlights the link between classical music and its influence on heavy rock. (There is a great live version of this on Finyl Vinyl with full orchestral accompaniment).I rate this as Joe Lynn's best album with Rainbow - just!

1980 was a vintage Year. AC/DC gave us "Back In Black", Whitesnake gave us "Ready n Willing", we had "Heaven And Hell" from Black Sabbath. Rainbow's "Difficult To Cure" is another amazing album. New vocalist Joe Lynn Turner brings a fresh, powerful, tuneful quality to the music, and Ritchie Blackmore's guitar work is as energetic as ever. It's a totally different style from the Dio years, but just as excellent in its own way. Not for girls, this is man's music.

Just like all rock music play it loud and marvel at Blackmores exhilerating guitar. Some folk don't rate this and even the excellent allmusic site only gives it 2 stars. I don't agree I like all Rainbows stuff and this for me is up there with the best. Its real sing a long stuff with catchy riffs that make you feel glad to be alive.If you like this type of music then but this you won't regret it, and while your at it buy the rest of their stuff as well.

Having seen a large gap in my Rainbow albums have gone about filling that gap. This was the first album featuring JLT on vocals and for one I was pleasantly surprised when the album was first released (I purchased it on its initial release date) following another Rainbow lineup change. Not my favourite Rainbow album (Rising fills that spot) but a good album all the same.

This CD reminded me of a Rainbow concert back in the late 70's that I attended. Service was good and seller kept me informed of delivery status.

Love the album but it jumps on the first song which i have learnt to live with !