New Rainbow remasterings are awful

Actually, Blackmore was a "primo" guitarist. As good as he was in DP Mk II (I love that era), his prowess really began to peak during the DP Mk III and early Rainbow years. At the time of Rainbow, I was into a "broader" range of music and I really didn't enjoy the direction Blackmore had taken. However, today, I realize what an impact he and his band(s) have made. Don't ask your average person on this site about Blackmore. Ask the best electric guitarists (rock, progressive, blues etc.) who Blackmore was/is and what his influences have been. Then you'll get the real story. Sure, I'm a hypocrite like everyone else at times, but in this case, I have actually asked many great players about Blackmore - all responses are that he is one of the greats....so don't go there.

Blackmore is a guitar god, but he's a minor god. Numerous small shrines, a handful of temples, but no cathedrals.

I saw Rainbow in concert right after they made "Difficult to Cure". I have to say that it was one of the worst concerts by a rock band. Everyone was waiting for the featured song "I surrender" before having to endure Blackmore's overdone guitar solos the whole evening. Guitar solos are great when their is some substance. It appeared to me,and many, that Rainbow was Richie's forum for showing everyone how accomplished he was on the guitar. All I can say is Rainbows have more than one color. The concert made me realize how much I missed Deep Purple!!

A minor god would be a demigod.

Perhaps godlike in the terms that some remember him IN DP AND ofcourse his own mind. Technique, originality, I don't know...I like him as a guitarist. Is he one of the top 10 or top 20 guitar gods...No...I've played for many years and have seen numerous guitar players over the years. Blackmore was good but not great.