Guest Author - Deanna Joseph
Blackmore’s Night is the creation of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (who once played with classic rock bands Deep Purple and Rainbow) and vocalist, Candice Night. Their music has been compared to rockin’ renaissance, and has a definite renaissance quality to it. Their music features electric guitar, acoustic guitar, various drums, hurdy gurdy (don’t ask me, I have no idea!), shawms, rauchpfeife, recorder, chanters, keyboards, bass, violin and bagpipes.
One of the qualities that originally drew me to “Blackmore’s Night” was their ability to take folktales from around the world and set them to music. The second thing that attracted me was Candice Night’s beautiful voice, which is clear, strong and absolutely enchanting. She’s been named “Faerie Queen” of the Pennsylvania Faerie Festival, and I must say the title fits! She’s not only beautiful, but has a voice that could easily enchant anyone from the faery realm.
The first song on the CD is titled “25 Years.” The music is based on an old Balkan folk song. In its current incarnation, “25 Years” is a song about nightmares. This is something we can all relate to. Nightmares can be pretty frightening and they definitely leave their mark on our psyches! However the song itself is not at all scary, but rather mystical. It features a haunting melody, clear vocals, a strong drum, and variety of instruments (including something that may be bagpipes!). This is my favorite song on the CD.
“Village Lanterne” is inspired by the legend of Siegfried, the Norse dragon slayer. It’s a song about destiny, and following our own path with integrity and love. It’s gentle and beautiful, and inspires us to look to that “lanterne” within ourselves – that light in the dark that will always be.
“I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” is based on the legend of Resurrection Mary, the girl who haunts the Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago, IL. This song is edgy and has a definite groove to it.
“The Messenger” is an instrumental and features Ritchie Blackmore on acoustic guitar. It’s very dreamy and contemplative, and could easily be the work of a faery man dreaming of his lover.
“World of Stone” is taken from a traditional German folk song, titled All Voll, and is inspired by Joan of Arc. It has a darker feel to it than the first four songs, and definitely brings to mind the struggle that not only Joan of Arc faced in her world, but the struggle we face in ours.
“Faerie Queen/Faerie Dance” starts off with very gentle vocals and music. The song is about a Faerie Queen who sees that we are truly one, but realizes that most humans don’t know that. The last third of the song picks up into a fun instrumental featuring guitar that has a definite renaissance feel to it.
“St. Teresa” is a remake of a song Joan Osborne did back in 1995, but that song will never be confused with this edgy remake. It features one of the best guitar solos on the CD, and the music could definitely be compared to old Rainbow. Of course I have no idea what the song is about, and am only left to guess it’s about a prostitute thinking about St. Teresa.
”Village Dance” is another instrumental, and where it’s very gentle, it’s much more upbeat than “The Messenger” which has a much more dreamy quality to it. This song has a definite renaissance feel to it, and I could imagine it being played in a great hall while couples danced together (but not too close!).
”Mond Tanz/Child in Time” contains a revamped version of Deep Purple’s Child in Time, but with a definite renaissance feel to it. The lyrics aren’t included in the CD, so I’m not sure what it’s about, but it definitely rings of Deep Purple. As a special bonus, if you listen carefully, you’ll hear Candice laughing at the end of it!
”Streets of London,” originally written by Ralph Mc Tell, is a delicate song of feeling our own sorrows, and being unaware of how those around us may suffer more.
“Just Call My Name (I’ll Be There)” starts off with a very haunting vocal, so was mildly surprised when it broke into a rock song. A love song about the one who is always there for us is very reminiscent of Deep Purple, though not enough guitar solo for my taste.
“Olde Mill Inn” is a song about a tavern that actually exists in Long Island. It has a rolling quality to it, and reminds me of an old Irish drinking song. It’s definitely a song of friendship, and makes me want to go hang out at a fine old tavern!
“Windmills” is a tribute to Don Quixote, but is a bittersweet song about many people who try to make a difference, yet in the end they are beaten down by a cruel world. It’s a beautiful and gentle song that reminds us to never give up.
“Street of Dreams” sounds almost like it did when Ritchie played it with his band Rainbow, however this version has Candice’s clear and strong vocals.
The next three songs are bonus songs.
“Call It Love” is a gentle love song featuring more piano than I’ve noticed in the previous songs. It’s the only song on the CD where both the music and lyrics are written by Candice Night. It’s very sweet and sentimental.
“Street of Dreams” featuring Joe Lynn Turner. Joe Lynn Turner is the original vocalist in the Rainbow version of this song. In this version he and Candice Night sing together.
“All Because Of You” is the radio edit of a song that appeared on Blackmore’s Night’s earlier CD, “Fires at Midnight.” Honestly I like the original version better as it had a more renaissance feel to it. This version sounds like a rock song – which is okay, but doesn’t carry that Blackmore’s Night feeling.
The CD itself is very beautiful, and features pictures of Candice and Ritchie in renaissance attire in magical settings.
The only problem I had with the CD was that the lyrics to the songs are not in the same order in the book as they are in the CD, so I had to flip around looking for them. And some lyrics weren’t included at all.
I have really enjoyed this CD, and have listened to it hundreds of times. The CD is energetic and thoughtful, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in folklore and legend, yet enjoys the sounds of renaissance meets rock-n-roll.
