Rainbow - Difficult To Cure (1981)

Following the departure of Graham Bonnet after one album, Down To Earth, Rainbow further pursued a more commercial sound with Difficult To Cure. With the extremely capable Joe Lynn Turner on vocals, the band further developed a more mainstream, chart-friendly approach which paid dividends with I Surrender achieving Rainbow’s highest-ever UK chart position at number 3.

Whilst I harbour a strong leaning towards the Dio-era Rainbow, Difficult To Cure is nevertheless a strong album and the last before the commercialism went too far. There is a good blend here of all-out rock riffing with Richie Blackmore in fine-form on Spotlight Kid and the track Magic is a real highlight. Joe Lynn Turner’s vocals are strong and soaring throughout the album and the band really were riding the crest of a wave. New boy Bobby Rondinelli ably steps into Cozy Powell’s shoes too providing the blunt, thundering style eschewed by Mr Powell.

The album also gives vent to Riche Blackmore to explore his classical roots once more with Vielleicht Das Nachste Mal and the title track (based around Beethoven’s Ninth) in which Don Airey performs a section in a very much Keith Emerson mould!

Chart success and a new vocalist who also would prove to be one of the greatest in rock – could it get any better? Well, no really and the band gradually slid into decline but for fans of classic melodic rock – and/or Richie Blackmore – this album should definitely be added to the collection.

• Joe Lynn Turner – Vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
• Don Airey – Keyboard
• Roger Glover – Bass
• Bobby Rondinelli – Drums