Sacred Heart [Deluxe Edition, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

This edition of Sacred is remastered by Andy Pearce as are the other Dio 2012 deluxe releases, which means, unlike other Deluxe Editions out there, this one isn't simply a volume bloated re-release. Very fine, clean and detailed sound, but just a tad bright. Disc 2 has some wonderful goodies that alone make this worthy of the purchase. Live B-Sides from singles and the Intermission live album which was never commercially available in the US. The packaging is your standard for these editions, a wonderful foldout digipak and an informative booklet stuffed into one of the open flaps. Highly recommended edition if you have the cash. A more detailed tracklist below.

Disc 1 (Original remastered album)

01. King of Rock and Roll
02. Sacred Heart
03. Another Lie
04. Rock 'n' Roll Children
05. Hungry for Heaven
06. Like the Beat of a Heart
07. Just Another Day
08. Fallen Angels
09. Shoot Shoot

Disc 2

01. Hide in the Rainbow (Studio track, originally on the soundtrack to the movie Iron Eagle)
02. We Rock (Live B-Side from Rock N Roll Children Single)
03. The Last in Line (Live B-Side from Rock N Roll Children Single)
04. Like the Beat of a Heart (Live B-Side from Hungry For Heaven Single)

Intermission (Live At The Sports Arena San Diego, CA, USA 6th December 1985)
05. King of Rock & Roll
06. Rainbow in the Dark
07. Sacred Heart
08. Time to Burn
09. Rock N Roll Children / Long Live Rock N Roll / Man on the Silver Mountain (Medley)
10. We Rock

I must admit when i first bought this back in '85,i was slightly disappointed,as it didnt match up to the 2 previous albums,still doesnt to be fair,it has grown on me though.

Highlights the classic title track,2 perfect heavy rock anthems 'Rock n Roll Children/King of Rock n Roll' and the superb 'Fallen Angels',the rest decent but a bit of a rehash of what went before.

Previously i would have given 3 stars but the deluxe edition scores an extra star for disc 2,as we get some live b sides,non album track but special kudos for the inclusion of the complete 'intermission' mini live album from 1986,a superb touch

Packaging excellent agian decent photos/liner notes and once again a definite upgrade in the sound from earlier cd releases,clearer without being too 'bright'

So thats three excellent released to make an old rocker happy,thanx to the kids for the birthday presents,ha ha,they do listen after all!!!

DIO Reissues Holy Diver The Last In Line Sacred Heart

It's nearly two years now since the greatest hard rock singer of all time died. Ronnie James Dio, whether with Rainbow, Black Sabbath of his own band Dio, contributed some of the greatest moments in hard rock history. There aren't many musicians who become adjectives but Dio was one of them.

Now, the first three albums he recorded with his own band, after parting from Black Sabbath, are being reissued as double CD editions, chock full of fantastic music. Each one comes with a booklet notes from Malcolm Dome and the releases are endorsed by Ronnie's widow Wendy Dio.

"Holy Diver" was the debut from Dio, released in 1983. It's widely regarded as his finest ever album under his own name, but you won't be surprised to learn that I disagree. Even at the time, as an over exciteable teenager I remember thinking through a cloud of cider that it sounded really flat. I'd heard most of his Rainbow and Sabbath albums by then, and I knew a rotten production when I heard it. There's no faulting some of the songs on offer, from the title track to 'Don't Talk To Strangers', but even today, a lot of it leaves me wanting more.

However, over on the second CD there are some real goodies. A couple of single B-sides including the awesome 'Evil Eyes', a song that should have easily dislodged a number from the main album, as well as a set recorded for the King Biscuit Flower Hour with cracking versions of 'Man On The Silver Mountain' and 'Stand Up And Shout' the highlights. There's nothing the dedicated collector won't have, but it's a nice package.

"The Last in Line" was the second Dio studio album and, for me, remains one of the best moments in Dio history. It sounded so much bigger and louder, and had two epics in the shape of the title track and `Egypt ( The Chains are On)'. It's a fantastic album, one that should be more lauded than it is, and is the best of the reissues by far. Over on the second disc, you get the B-sides to the three singles taken from the albums, all live numbers with 'Don't Talk To Strangers' the best of the bunch. There's also a rough and ready set recorded at the Pinkpop festival, which has a raw excitement to it, that takes me right back to punching the air and singing along in row A of the Apollo.

1985 saw the arrival of album number three, "Sacred Heart", which was the peak of Dio success in the UK, The album went Top 5, and there were even a couple of hits in the shape of `Rock N' Roll Children' (complete with spectacularly bad video) and `Hungry for Heaven'. The tour even saw the arrival of Denzil The Dragon! It wasn't a bad album, but there was a bit too much filler alongside the likes of the title track and the singles. However, the package as a whole is a winner, as it also includes the whole of "Intermission", the stopgap live album that came out a wee while after, as well as the single B-sides and the fabulous 'Hide In The Rainbow' from the Dio EP. It's a bonus disc that really outshines its parent.

So, what's that, 62 tracks across 6 discs, with more than enough Dio to keep his disciples very happy. You can finally get rid of a couple of dodgy bootlegs, and sit back with happy memories of the man and his music. "I learned of your goals through dreams: a sacred heart, a wizard, a golden door."