Dio At Donington `83

I don’t own many recordings of concerts I actually attended so when I found out this was on vinyl, one of my favourites, I had to have it. I’m doubly happy, as until this version it was only available (on vinyl) with the ‘87 appearance for over £300, so it’s great they’ve been released separately for a fraction of that.It was my only Donington, I was only there because of RJD and how good ‘Holy Diver’ was/is, and was happy to get there/back riding pillion on a motorbike, sleeping in fields for the privilege.Some effort has gone into the whole product, with such things as inner sleeves with photos of the day and artwork on - not just plain paper - and wholly appropriate theatrically OTT liner-notes that somewhat mirror the man himself’s on-stage persona!If, like me, you’re confused by what a lenticular cover might be, the best way I can describe it is a kind of 3D - like those 70s Esso cards of wildlife (tiger, zebra etc) that had a ridged surface that gave the effect of depth. I appreciate that that doesn’t help those under 50, or outside the UK, who won’t recall their parents getting those cards, but I’m old - that’s my single reference!Some might complain that the etching on side 4 might have been better-utilised with more audio, but I’d argue what else that was relevant to the time could be used? There was nothing else but the album and his Rainbow/Sabbath covers, and no other live gigs to have recorded them from anyway, before what is given here. Maybe he did a Radio1 Rock Show interview that day (Tommy Vance - RIP - was compère that day, after all) which might’ve been nice instead, but would be a small complaint in view of the overall quality of the album; a clear recording of a legendary show - a must for the Dio collection, even if you weren’t there 🤘

Excellent vinyl pressing. Concert audio is amazing..a truly great Ronnie performance.