I'm not a Petards scholar, but as I understand the story, 1970 saw singer/lead guitarist Bernd Wippich joining the band as a replacement for Klaus Ebert. The following year the group went into the studio recording material for their projected fourth studio album. Produced by Klaus Ebert, this time around material like '(And You All) Talk About Heaven', 'Allright, Tonight You'll Be a Woman', and the title track sported a harder, Hendrix-influenced sound. Unfortunately their label (Liberty Records) wanted nothing to do with the material, rejecting the tapes. Unable to find a label interested in releasing the material, the tapes sat on a shelf for a decade until the Bear Family label released it as part of a massive Petards reissue project.  About all I can say is 1981's "Burning Rainbows" was one of those albums that deserved a far better fate. With the exception of the seven second song fragment 'Speed Freak' and 'The Dust of My Way'. there weren't any bad songs on the collection. You weren't going to find any schlager tunes, or sappy MOR-pop ditties in these groove. Powered by Wippich's gravelly voice and impressive guitar moves, this was barebones, hardcore rock and roll that would have put most of the American and English competition to shame. How do you pick a standout tune when there were so many good ones? Well, if I had to pick my top three it would be the opening rocker '(And You All) Talk About Heaven ' (sporting a little nod to Teh Stones), the crushing '(Today Is My) Birthday', and the closing ballad 'Roses'.   Given how good this album is, it appears to be all but unknown. I looked and looked and as far as I could tell, there wasn't a single English language review of the album out there. How is that possible?  "Burning Rainbows" track listing:(side 1)1.) (And You All) Talk About Heaven  (Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 3:03It sounded like they'd "borrowed" more than a little from The Stones' 'Jumping Jack Flash', but the result was so engrossing, who cared !!! You had to wonder how a band this good escape recognition in the Anglo world. Killer tune that should have made them mega stars.   rating: **** stars2.) Allright, Tonight You'll Be a Woman ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 4:16It may seem like a crazy comparison, but kicked along by Wippich's wild (and impressive) guitar workout and Roger Waldmann's frenetic bass, 'Allright, Tonight You'll Be a Woman' has always reminded me of a Hendrix tune. Simply a killer rock tune. rating: **** stars3.) One More Chance To Be Blue (Burning Rainbows) ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 2:45I've always liked Wippich's gravely voice which went a long way to covering up his accented vocals. He seldom sounded as good as on this tune. Yeah, the lyrics were kind of a mess, but the song had a great, vaguely country-rock (emphasis on rock)) flavor with a killer Wippich guitar solo. Judging by this track, they pulled off the country-rock genre far better than many of their American compatriots. The band's still plugging away; a little older, a little more grey, but sounding surprisingly good on this live version of the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIWnOxaS-Z8 rating: **** stars4.) Green Eyed Paradise ( Horst Ebert) - 4:40Built on a nifty little guitar riff, it sounded more like a studio jam than a completed song, but what a jam. Darn these guys could rock !!! rating: **** stars5.) Speed Freak ( Horst Ebert) - 0:07This was literally a couple of synthesizers chords ... rating: * star6.) (Today Is My) Birthday (Klaus Ebert) - 2:46' (Today Is My) Birthday' was another Hendrix-influenced rocker and while it may have been a little short in the originality department, the performance was raging. How did a group of young German musicians come up with such an impressive performance ? rating: **** stars7.) Alone ( Horst Ebert - Bernd Wippich) - 4:26Wippich had a fantastic voice which was just as good on ballads, as convention rock tunes. That said, the real highlight on 'Alone' was Waldmann's bass. People always talked about bassist who can carry a band, but Waldmann was the real thing. Check out his dazzling work on this track. rating: **** stars(side 2)1.) The Dust of My Way ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 2:08The album's first misstep, while 'The Dust of My Way' was built on an intriguing guitar figure, the title refrain was simply irritating.  rating: ** stars2.) Someday I'll Cry ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 3:32'Someday I'll Cry' was a heavy blues-rock tune that was way better than you'd ever imagine. You had to wonder how Wippich avoided tearing his voice box out ... I even liked the shrill backing vocals on this one. rating: **** stars3.) Come To Me, Come To You ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 2:21Wippich's slashing slide guitar made this one a keeper.    rating: *** stars4.) You Better Move Right Now ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 2;20One of their more pop-oriented tracks, it took a moment for 'You Better Move Right Now ' to kick into gear, but ultiimately Arno Dittrich's martial drumming and Wippich's growling voice saved the day. rating: *** stars5.) Goky and Me (Bernd Wippich) - 4:20One of two Wippich originals, 'Goky and Me' was unlike anything else on the album. A stripped down acoustic ballad, you've probably heard dozens of tracks that sound similar. Still, Wippich's delivery was impressive and enthusiastic. rating: *** stars6.) Who Will Sell His Dreams ( Horst Ebert - Klaus Ebert) - 5:20'Who Will Sell His Dreams' found the band trying to find a balance between Hendrix-styled rock and a more commercial sound. Not an entirely successful experiment with the arrangement actually sounding like it was two separate song mashed-up together, but Wippich turned in another first-rate slice of lead guitar and I quite enjoyed the performance. rating: **** stars7.) Roses (Bernd Wippich) - 4:06A tour-de-force for Wippich -'Roses' sounded like a Three Dog Night ballad on steroids. One of the album highlights. rating: **** stars