Ronnie James Dio - The Elf Albums (1991)

Ronnie James Dio is one of the few truly great heavy metal singers. He's not merely a "vocalist." Most fans know him from his work with Rainbow, Black Sabbath (the vastly underrated early-'80s era), and his solo band, Dio. Chances are they are also aware of his membership in Elf, but have never heard any of their hard to find albums. The English label Connoisseur Collection released Elf's second and third albums, 1974's Carolina County Ball (L.A./59 in the United States) and 1975's Trying to Burn the Sun, on one CD as The Elf Albums (credited to Ronnie James Dio) in 1991. These two albums were produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover; he and Purple drummer Ian Paice discovered Elf and co-produced their self-titled 1972 debut. Elf are best known for being recruited by Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to form Rainbow. (Blackmore drafted Ronnie James Dio, keyboardist Micky Lee Soule, bassist Craig Gruber, and drummer Gary Driscoll, but passed on guitarist Steve Edwards, of course.) Ears only used to hearing Ronnie James Dio's spine-tingling, post-Elf work are likely to be shocked by Carolina County Ball and Trying to Burn the Sun. Elf played rock & roll and boogie-woogie with shots of country, blues, and even jazz and swing. Occasionally, Elf veered toward hard rock, offering a glimpse of their singer's future. Carolina County Ball highlights include "Carolina County Ball," "Ain't It All Amusing," and "Rocking Chair Rock 'n' Roll Blues." Trying to Burn the Sun features touches of the light-and-shade dynamics they would refine on 1975's Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. (According to Simon Robinson's informative liner notes, the two albums were recorded virtually back to back.) "Prentice Wood" and "When She Smiles" have progressive touches, "Shotgun Boogie" is appropriately titled, and "Wonderworld" certainly lays the foundation for Rainbow. Ronnie James Dio's voice first reached its full potential in Rainbow, but it's important to hear how his talent evolved through the Elf years.