Tag Archives: Craig Gruber

Elf: Trying To Burn The Sun

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In June 1975, “MGM” label released “Trying to Burn the Sun”, the third and the final Elf album. It was recorded in 1975, and was produced by Roger Glover.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Steve Edwards – lead guitar
  • Mickey Lee Soule – keyboards, rhythm guitar
  • Craig Gruber – bass guitar
  • Gary Driscoll – drums
  • Mark Nauseef – percussion
  • Helen Chappelle, Barry St. John, Liza Strike – additional vocals
  • MountainFjord Orchestra – strings

Track listing:

All tracks  Ronnie James by Dio and Mickey Lee Soule.

  1. Black Swampy Water
  2. Prentice Wood
  3. When She Smiles
  4. Good Time Music
  5. Liberty Road
  6. Shotgun Boogie
  7. Wonderworld
  8. Streetwalker

Elf: Carolina County Ball

In April 1974, “MGM” label released “Carolina County Ball”, the second Elf album. It was recorded January-March, at “The Manor Studio” and was produced by Roger Glover.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Steve Edwards – guitar
  • Mickey Lee Soule – keyboards
  • Craig Gruber – bass
  • Gary Driscoll – drums
  • Henry Lowther – trumpet
  • Chris Pyne – trombone
  • Ray Swinfield – clarinet
  • Mountain Fjord, M.D., & Martyn Ford – strings
  • Roger Glover – string arrangements
  • The Manor Chorus – vocals
  • Helen Chappell, Liza Strike, & Barry St. John – backing vocals
  • Simon Heyworth – recording
  • Lou (Conway) Austin – recording
  • Fin Costello – photography

Track listing:

All tracks written by Ronnie James Dio and Mickey Lee Soule.

  1. Carolina County Ball
  2. A. 59
  3. Ain’t It All Amusing
  4. Happy
  5. Annie New Orleans
  6. Rocking Chair Rock’n’Roll Blues
  7. Rainbow
  8. Do the Same Thing
  9. Blanche

Rainbow: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow

Rainbow_-_Ritchie_Blackmore's_Rainbow

On August 4, 1975, “Oyster” label released “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow”, the first  Rainbow album. It was recorded February – March 1975, at “Musicland Studios” in Munich, and was produced by Ritchie Blackmore, Martin Birch and Ronnie James Dio.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
  • Micky Lee Soule – piano, mellotron, clavinet, organ
  • Craig Gruber– bass
  • Gary Driscoll – drums
  • Shoshana – backing vocals
  • Martin Birch – mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio except where noted

  1. Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow
  2. Self Portrait
  3. Black Sheep of the Family – Steve Hammond
  4. Catch the Rainbow
  5. Snake Charmer
  6. Temple of the King
  7. If You Don’t Like Rock ‘n’ Roll
  8. Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
  9. Still I’m Sad – Paul Samwell-Smith, Jim McCarty