Classical Composer Reaction/Analysis to Gates of Babylon (Rainbow) | The Daily Doug (Episode 470)

[@ernieschramayr4665]

Cozy Powell is a MASSIVE part of this song and also Stargazer. His sound was instantly recognizable no matter who he played with. RIP

[@dacshark4448]

Couldn’t agree more and feel the same about his work on Stargazer. Ritchie said he chose him because he was the only candidate that could play swing beats in a rock mode. He’s the reason there is a groove in a metal song. It’s a rare quality.

[@alekhidell]

R.I.P. indeed.

[@epictetusofhierapolis4461]

I agree too. Cozy had a loose feel to his playing and yet would whack the hell out of the drums with precision which gave his style a sound of confidence. Come to think about it, he was kind of like Ritchie but on drums. That same confident masterful attack of his instrument.

[@bruffie]

Cozy always pushed the band along. An incredible player

[@jerrywoods4066]

One of my favorites I ever seen.

[@stevehartke]

Dude, my all time favorite Rainbow song, great Ritchie solo, Cozy killing it in the drums, and Dio being Dio. Thanks Doug!! 🤘

[@LyonThroy-RSA]

Rainbow Eyes from the same album showcases RJD's more "tender" vocal side. Beautifully sung imo.

[@aslakrantakokko5347]

Mr. Blackmore has said that this is his best solo ever. Cannot disagree. The whole song is a masterpiece. Eastern vibes all song long. Thank you sir, Dio and Blackmore do not disappoint.

[@Georgemeister777]

Nope. The Stargazer solo cannot be reproduced

[@harbo1011]

No way. I like this song but no comparison to Stargazer for Dio vocals and the guitar solo...epic!

[@jerrywoods4066]

@@Georgemeister777 nope highway star, burn, child in time just for starts

[@jerrywoods4066]

@@harbo1011 nope gates is better

[@RonniePeterson]

Oh dear. Gates of Babylon, Stargazer, Highway star...... NO! A light in the black is the greatest classic rock song of all time and solo by Ritchie. Its not even up for debate.

[@billpet4602]

Blackmore, Dio & Powel at their finest. Αt that time were something like superheroes

[@bobbigboss111]

Why nobody mentions Bob Daisley? He was so great player.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

@@bobbigboss111 maybe because of the feud that Blackmore played bass in a couple of songs.

[@CelticSaint]

They were like the high priests to me as a teenager in the 1980's!

[@metalmike570]

@@bobbigboss111 Daisley was awesome on the Ozzy albums too. Often overlooked really because of the phenomenal Randy Rhoads.

[@pete8707]

Ritchie's guitar solo in this song is considered to be his most complex, masterpiece.

[@FrostedSeagull]

Pete, Agreed. I read an article in the late Eighties having ago at the shredding trend and how boring it was. This guitar playing critics then bought up Page and especially Ritchie Blackmore. He said THE BEST solos he had ever heard were those too Stargazer and Gates of Babylon. The rumour is that Ritchie stopped playing Stargazer live for the same reason Gates of Babylon was NEVER played live ! Blackmore allegedly could not do the solo's justice live. It took way too much energy out of him and Blackmore cannot play the same solo twice.. If you listen to the few full versions of Stargazer live, Blackmore's solos range from brilliant to 'Wow, he,'s really struggling. ' I think Stargazer was dumped by 1977. Gates of Babylon never played live in its entirety. Some US fans claim that Ritchie did play it live. Others say, Ritchie would play the guitar riffs to get the crowd going and then merge into Sensitive to Light. Cozy P: Cozy Powell also said, if they continued to play Stargazer live on their1976 tour, he would need a 15 minute break minimum, if not 30 minute break. It was way too much drumming. Powell then added, 'no wonder Zeppelin play ballads for an hour in the middle of their set as Bonzo cannot keep up that frenetic pace for 3 hours. '

[@d-d-i]

@@FrostedSeagull They did play Stargazer live in 1980 at least, during the last gig with Graham Bonnet (he splits opinions, but didn't do bad job in this song) and Powell. Iirc, they also did play it couple times later with Turner on the vocals.

[@Fuxerz]

When I saw Rainbow with the DIO lineup. I saw all 3 singers. Dio did Gates of Babylon medly, but they did not do a complete song. Graham did the same. I've never heard the entire song live by 🌈. Joe did not do it at all. I'm in the USA. Hope this helps.

[@kerbe3]

I’m not sure why but my favorite line in this song is “You can see but you’re blind. Someone turned the sun around.”

[@metalmark1214]

A very cool Rainbow song with Middle Eastern vibe. Has a good and true message - Sleep with the devil and the devil will take you away.

[@willywonka7812]

The message is that the Babylon System - or Capitalism, as Bob Marley described it - is satanic.

[@jonkehoe7542]

FINALLY someone on KZbin reacts to the correct Rainbow song to react to!

[@chrisbanks6659]

And another Gates Of Babylon awesome reaction here pal - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpSZo5mjjcl9ftU

[@ulfflehmann3759]

I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth in terms of trying to understand you talking music theory, Doug. It's wonderful to say the least, and part of me wishes I had learned music when I was younger. I love music, can't live without it. The regret is lingering. Thanks for this. I dunno if you've ever analyzed Burn by Deep Purple... if not, please put it on the list.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Ian Gillan was Jesus in the original studio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. He and Richie used to do the melody in their Deep Purple duels

[@Zomby_Woof79]

I really need to listen to more Rainbow, this is ace!

[@alrivers2297]

I recommend A Light in the Black and Tarot Woman if you don't know them

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Listen to the albums Rainbow Rising and Long Live Rock N Roll first. The other albums are great as well.

[@anthonyjd6097]

Blackmore wanted to take metal to the next level & in my humble opinion he accomplished it

[@sethkaicer319]

Doug is the lead singer in a Dio cover group on the weekends.

[@Nichwar19]

Really

[@metalmike570]

Keyboard player I would have believed though.

[@Süleyman.Gök]

It's such a joy to watch that you are discovering those songs

[@grahamnunn8998]

The 5th mode of the harmonic minor is a favourite in prog and metal. I have heard various names but first knew it as The Spanish Gypsy scale as you hear it in flamenco too.

[@zatoichi1]

That makes complete sense. I was going to comment that it was straight from Arabic classical music which obviously found its way into Spain via the Moorish conquests. Along with thousands of Arab words in the Spanish language.

[@richpeltier9519]

Thanks to the Council of Dougs, whom I'm sure was responsible for picking out this gem of a deep cut. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘

[@charliekolander6626]

Untouchable a master piece!

[@XA351GT]

I love to see the reaction of someone who really understands music that can appreciate the musicianship . I have no idea what Doug means , but I can appreciate the sonic brilliance .

[@janeckdzugan1252]

My favourite song on this album, with the wonderful "Rainbow Eyes" ! I have chicken skin when listening those to songs ! The violin in the end of the song was not supposed to be, but when it was recorded, the violin continued to play, and they decided to keep it on the record ! Incredible !

[@tasos0140]

I believe that youtube was invented to justify so many adolescent metal music choices, which were frowned upon at the time. Great reaction as always by Doug.

[@IgorSeferovic]

Doug, you should check out a song with a similar feel (while also being a milestone in popular guitar playing) "Sails of Charon" by Scorpions.

[@erockrph]

The Phrygian Dominant mode is so underused in metal, but it has such an awesome feel to it. Dio and Blackmore at their finest here

[@erikbailey2525]

This is one of my three favourite Rainbow songs (the other two being Stargazer and A Light in the Black).

[@AndyRehfeldt]

RIP Dio, one of the greats.

[@kevinchuvala4104]

Richie's guitar work in this song is phenomenal. Surpasses highway star in my opinion. Ive seen rainbow 🌈 with three different singers 78-87 including Ronnie James Dio. Superbly written and always performed the same. Flawless! I was talking to text I had edit it a couple words.

[@nikeforo2612]

I hit the like button straight away...soon after reading the video's title 🙂

[@stevesheroan4131]

So many metal bands following this owe this band and song some serious backpay, even to this day.

[@Miwna]

I remember, in the late 90s, both my parents buying a copy of The Very Best of Rainbow and I borrowed it often at around the age of 8-10. This track was always my favourite, then and now. The intro still makes me shiver, every single time. Probably in anticipation of what is to come.

[@preamp51]

I totally agree! That intro gets me everytime!

[@Silber7]

Might it be due to Ritchie Blackmore, (yes it may), but I think the output of his time in Rainbow is by far the most musically interesting of Ronnie James Dios whole carreer. Divers too, but never too clichee.

[@RushfanUK]

Ritchie was the driving force in the music, it was his band and he paid all the bills, he fell out with Dio when he wanted a more commercial output as he was bleeding money keeping Rainbow going and Dio didn't want to go down that route, without Ritchie I don't think Dio would have hit the heights he did, Elf had been around since the late 60's and weren't going anywhere when Ritchie pulled them in to make the first Rainbow album, he certainly wouldn't have had the level of recognition to move on to Sabbath without doing Rainbow first.

[@Kylora2112]

This song is one of the reasons why Ritchie Blackmore is my favorite guitarist of all time.

[@barryrammer7906]

Mine too

[@dallassukerkin6878]

So great to have revealed the intricacies of a song that I have long loved! Thank you, Doug ... or Dr. Helvering as I note from your KZbin plaque on the wall :)

[@matthieujoly]

This is my all time favorite Rainbow / Dio / Blackmore song. And for many years my ringtone on my phone. Love the way you've been so surprised all along this song. And, yes.. so short !!

[@gdustman06]

So epic! Dio, Blackmore, Powell and Daisley together! My favorite Rainbow song!

[@lovelovelove5744]

Always been one of my favorites since I heard it.

[@ruinousinadequacies7655]

Hi Doug!Great analysis as usual.Just wanted to mention you can also try the song Rainbow Eyes,the last song from this album.It's a really sad composition which showcases a different side of Ritchie and Dio's vocals are also quite different.

[@thomassblaquelourde9298]

Truly so

[@einjarjar]

Hey! Do a part two and analyze the heck out of this! Really interesting to hear deep stuff from you.

[@plasticcreations7836]

Thats a blast from the past. I haven't listened to Rainbow for about 35 years

[@0tf850]

I have loved this song for over a decade, but am not quick enough with my theory to make sense if the dual function of E. Thank you Doug!

[@stevegardiner8473]

What an epic track. I remember buying this album on day of release, rushing home, putting it on the turntable, and just being blown away. What a track. What an album.

[@ericvanounou]

AS A CLASSICAL MUSICIAN YOU WILL LOVE "RAINBOW EYES" FROM THIS ALBUM...

[@esakoivuniemi]

One of the best guitar solos of all time, hands down.

[@BritishRosie-es3zr]

The chord progression over the guitar solo blew me away the first time I heard it, I couldn't believe you could put a solo like that over that progression. It's probably (in my opinion) the best guitar solo of all time.

[@gonzalorochasblacknight7199]

The most epic duo Rainbow had was Blackmore and Dio in those first 3 albums. Other songs to analyze can be "Rainbow eyes", "A Light In The Black", "Tarot woman", "The temple of the king", "Catch The Rainbow", "Kill The King"."Sixteenth Century Greensleeves ","Eyes of the word" , "Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal " o "Difficult to cure" , Among many more songs.

[@FarazOloumi]

wow such high praise! Thanks, as always Doug!

[@mynameis890]

of all the people doing reaction videos, you got to be the best. perfect balance of allowing the song to play and stopping to provide analysis and feedback. some people will spend 15 minutes just listening to the intro five times and rambling, to the point that they don't actually get to listen to and appreciate the music.

[@euandrecampos]

Dio was off the curve of any curve. All Hail the King👑 🤘

[@BlueBarchetta67]

Being a classical composer, you may be interested in listening to Rainbows 'Difficult To Cure'. It's their rendition of Beethoven's 9th.

[@GeekCroftGamers]

That was a most enjoyable analysis. I like how you say the song ends on A is them reaching Babylon is a fascinating notion which I hope was intentional.

[@fantommme]

My favorite solo of all time

[@AndyTheRoo]

Dont think you'll see this 4 months after upload, but Rainbow Eyes by Rainbow is amazing in a much different way. You being a classical musician will LOVE it

[@robr9411]

I came for the reaction. I stayed for the chair dancing.

[@namiokami1111]

I'm so glad you reviewed this song, I've been a lifelong Blackmore and Dio fan, together and separately... This group is awesome with Cozy P on drums too. Very precious few albums. I went to see Dio live when he was over 60 years old and he sounded better than the during the 70s..his voice was solid. Also again, Temple of the King- a song I go back listening to for the past 40 plus years, Thanks!

[@Andrei.Christop]

I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH specially the synth intro

[@sudicalwig]

I absolutely love these albums. flawless

[@lancemadson8702]

Well done

[@Anthony-ro4ek]

Fantastic review as usual! Ya gotta give a lot of the credit to David Stone who wrote massive parts of this fabulous song...he challenged Ritchie and the rest of the band to produce a rock classic

[@cricket8646]

I bought this album when it came out and placed it on my zero tracking turntable with a massive sansui amp and it blew me AWAY !!

[@jonmaz8080]

Masterpiece of music regardless of genre!

[@williamweiss6128]

Yep, still have this lp.

[@ScottyKirk1]

Doug I had a friend who totally had the same JCS double-take! Great minds think alike. Whatever that riff during the 39 lashes is. Primo stuff! Dio luckily played this and Tarot Woman on some of his solo tours I saw. Epic stuff. Cheers 🥂 Whoever suggested this, thanks! One of my favorite songs PERIOD! Blackmore is a student of classical music as you are so that's why you find so many layers to the melodies.

[@boomerrocksUSA]

That Ritchie Blackmore confounded a classical composer is the worth the price of admission alone.

[@johnnymata3159]

A Brilliant Masterpiece! I'm Loyal Fan Of Deep Purple and Rainbow. I'm in my early 60's and I've seen Ritchie Blackmore seven times in concert. Great job there Doug, thanks for your time and effort.

[@shredder66]

Time for you to listen Black Sabbath's lesser known album The Headless Cross! Cozy Powell on drums and Tony Martin on vocals. Check out 'When Death Calls' which features Brian May on lead guitar!

[@VincePalamaraJFK]

Rainbow were (and are) AN AMAZING BAND! Ritchie Blackmore is a genius; so many classic songs and great band members, especially Dio, Powell and Joe Lynn Turner.

[@rickblackers88]

The solo part is the most beautiful and exciting piece of music for guitar ever made ! A masterpiece!!

[@blackmagefelix6548]

Rainbow is one of my favorites.

[@MetalMike87]

David Stone's solos in this one cannot be praised enough

[@BaronvonBlutwurst]

Ronnie's band was just called "ELF". You should check it out. They have some pretty unique songs.

[@martinlawrence8427]

Great choice Doug…had forgotten how good that track is, must go up in the loft and dig this album out!

[@russpendergraft5057]

Hay Doug! Love your reaction to DIO! big fan myself! Got another band suggestion, it features a really talented signer in the style of DIO! the band is LILIAC, and MELODY CRISTEA is the lead singer. You won't be disappointed!!

[@BrunoMiglietta]

Wil never be another band like rainbow

[@metalmike570]

It's progressive rock, there are or were quite a fw of them really. Yes, Rush, Queensryche and I hear that Dream Theater and Tool are too. Some Iron Maiden is progressive metal.

[@hieinh]

⁠@@metalmike570 They didn’t come close to the same thing.

[@metalmike570]

@@hieinh I better listen to their entire album then. I have a lot of Dio albums and a couple CD's though. I was a metalhead back in the day.

[@hieinh]

@@metalmike570 Their first album you may or may not like. It’s Dio and his elf band. Rising starts the trio of Blackmore, Dio, Powell

[@neilwade9870]

Love the song, love the analysis 👏

[@lastStand20]

DIO - BLACKMORE - POWELL Those three finding each other was a gift from God to humanity.

[@jarthurs]

It's a very underrated track. Anyone in the UK will remember the title track "Long Live Rock'n'Roll" as part of the theme of the national Radio 1 Rock Show with Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.

[@starblaster77]

The band is firing on all cylinders ! David Stone the keyboard player was a huge contributor to this song and wasn't given credit.

[@C0zyDunt]

Absolute epic.

[@andersondavies3589]

Add "Light in the Black" as a third song from Rainbow, and you have done a good collection!

[@ziggypernot9780]

So glad you reviewed THIS song. Most classic rock stations playing Rainbow play Long Live or Kill the King or Street of Dreams or Since You've...but never The Gates of Babylon...the best Rainbow song ever & IMO Ritchie's best guitar solo. TY...good choice & glad you liked it.

[@daniellanz5750]

masterpiece.the best guitar player ever.

[@Peaceonthewater]

Doug, thank you for your reactions to Rainbow. I'd like to suggest one that gets very little notoriety but i believe is outstanding. Specifically a concert performed in 1984. The song is called Difficult to Cure. It was performed live in Budokan with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. I won't spoil it too much but it truly shows Ritchie Blackmore's neo-classical taste. Thank You for all your wonderful reactions.

[@rollomaughfling380]

01:13 By the time they toured with Deep Purple, Dio's band was just called "Elf."

[@thomassblaquelourde9298]

I saw Elf open for Purple for that I am grateful ALSO this tour and Rising tour. Mr Blackmore you are my one true god

[@Loy72bob]

That is his best!

[@classicgamer3538]

I myself need to give Rainbow much more space in my play list

[@pouyarezaie101]

This song is a masterpiece from start to finish. If you're looking for something a bit different from Ronnie, you should check out "Walking alone" and "The way of love" from an earlier band of him "Ronnie Dio and the Prophets".

[@ileanaospino126]

Ufff Superband!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@simo2805]

That was one of the best track you can pick from their career, you're great! I advice you to check also "Eyes of the world" from the 1979 album, that is also amazing

[@jimilove7773]

Elf not Elves. Sent ya this one months ago ......Thanks for reviewing for all that requested! Next please do Catch the rainbow from onstage and all from Uli jon roth ''beyond the Astral skies''.

[@ericskinner7355]

Excellent choice, Ritchie and Ronnie at the top of their game.

[@bluwng]

I never knew how complex the song was. Would be cool to have Doug’s ability his super power of music.

[@left4ded420]

!!!!EPIC!!!!’

[@martinhall3510]

Outstanding song from an amazing album.

[@ramonacosta2647]

You should check out their song Difficult to Cure. Go in blind, because there's a nice surprise waiting for you near the end of the song.

[@VincePalamaraJFK]

I believe that is Yngwie who is laughing at the end LOL!

[@ramonacosta2647]

@@VincePalamaraJFK You may be right.

[@mikehill6967]

Im sure someone must have pointed out, it wasn't "The Elves", it was Elf?

[@allanalmeida6710]

Finalmente!

[@ejvd62]

Great analysis... suggest 'Eyes of the World' by Rainbow but with Graham Bonnett as vocalist, different style and not as much colour but just as powerful

[@quicoli8403]

Great work!

[@thomasosullivan8404]

Music (Rock and Roll music especially) is such a generational thing. Each generation must have their own music, I had my own in my generation, you have yours, everyone I know has their own generation. -Ronnie James Dio

[@ボッキッキ厶ック]

Richie's music is classical and oriental.!

[@MatheusManzano]

This song (and that album) was a huge influence for an unknown and awesome band that emerged in the NWOBHM called 'Whitespirit'. This band released only one album (selftitled) and had as guitarrist no one less than Janick Gers; a big Blackmore fan that would became famous as Ian Gillan's, and later Iron Maiden axeman.