Ronnie James Dio & Yngwie Malmsteen – On May 16th, 2010, the ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. This was a day when Metal cried. Hard Rock cried. Rock and Roll cried. I cried. I’ve always lived by a wonderful thought: “Time heals all wounds”. Each time I listen to any DIO, Rainbow, Elf, Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell song and/or album now, I realize that Ronnie James Dio’s legacy will forever live on.
On the anniversary of Ronnie James Dio passing away, I decided to listen to some of his work that I haven’t pulled out in quite awhile. I remembered having a CD titled: Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems. On this fantastic CD is a cover song of Aerosmith’s Dream On. Ronnie James Dio sings and Yngwie Malmsteen plays his amazing guitar on this cover song of Dream On. Two legends covering an iconic Rock song, written and recorded by fellow legends. Simply put… the original version and cover version of Dream On are both everlasting.
I can’t even adequately put into words, just how sensational, how riveting this cover song of Dream On is to my senses. Ronnie James Dio sings the lyrics of Dream On in such a remarkable way… it’s Ronnie James Dio. With Yngwie Malmsteen stamping his signature tone to this song, it’s hands down the single greatest cover song I have ever heard of Dream On… Metal case closed. To admit I receive countless ostrich bumps up and down my entire body whenever I listen to this cover of Dream On is real and not fantasy.
This entire CD is a MUST buy for any fan of Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock and/or Metal. If there ever was that hidden gem of a Ronnie James Dio song, then this cover of Dream On is it. If there ever was that hidden gem of a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal compilation CD, then Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems is it. Wanna know something? I found this CD at Kmart about two years ago. Kmart. Metal be thy name and kiss the F’n sky. That is no lie.
Legends are galore on this CD, with Ted Nugent giving his spin on another Aerosmith classic: Rag Doll. The Motor City Madman sings and plays his patented guitar licks on Rag Doll and it’s a hell raiser. Just look at the track listing with the respective artists below, it’s ’nuff said and ring the Metal bell for glory! This CD is so electrified with guitar legends and vocalists that it’s Metal mind boggling.
I’ll say this much: Slash and Roger Daltrey cover Alice Cooper’s Rock classic No More Mr. Nice Guy with Hard Rockin’ brilliance. Whoa, the legenday duo of Slash and Roger Daltrey make an infinite impression on my Metal soul. Steve Lukather covers Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond… it’s jaw dropping. I truly don’t know what else to say about that. An unreal CD that I have revisited and won’t be putting away again for a very, very, long time.
* Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems was released back in 2006, via Fantastic Price Records.
* Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems was mastered by Anthony Focx at Foxhole Underground Studio, Los Angeles.
* I’ve seen this CD for sale at Amazon.com for just under $10 (U.S. funds).
* For some odd reason, I can’t play this CD in my car’s CD player. Every time I slide this CD into the car’s player, it gets sent back out! WTF? However, this CD plays just fine on my home stereo system.
Track Listing:
Slash & Roger Daltrey – No More Mr. Nice Guy
Ted Nugent – Rag Doll
Jimmy Page – Burn Up
Jake E. Lee & Phil Lewis – Journey To The Center Of The Mind
Steve Lukather – Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Rick Derringer – Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo
Santana – Jingo
Pat Travers – Snortin’ Whiskey, Drinkin’ Cocaine
Michael Schenker & Leslie West – Blood Of The Sun
George Lynch – He’s A Woman, She’s A Man
Yngwie Malmsteen & Ronnie James Dio – Dream On
LONG LIVE YNGWIE MALMSTEEN.
LONG LIVE EVERY ROCKIN’ CAT ON THIS CD.
REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.
Stone.
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