Blackmore’s Night – Dancer and the Moon Review

The music is very lovely and certainly takes some skill to perform, but much like many of Blackmore’s old school fans, I long for the day he brings out...

blackmoresnight_dancer_cover

Released by: Frontiers Records

Release Date: July 14th, 2013

Genre: Folk Rock

Links: http://www.blackmoresnight.com/

 

Line Up:

Ritchie Blackmore- Acoustic And Electric Guitars, Nickelharpe,Mandola, Hurdy Gurdy, Tambourine

Candice Night- Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, All Renaissance And Medieval Woodwinds

Bard David Of Larchmont – Keyboards And Background Vocals

Lady Kelly Dewinter – Harmony Vocals, French Horn

Earl Grey Of Chimay – Bass And Rhythm Guitar

The Scarlet Fiddler – Violin

Troubador Of Aberdeen-Percussion

 

Tracklist:

I Think It’s Going To Rain Today

Troika

The Last Leaf

Lady In Black

Minstrels In The Hall

The Temple Of The King

Dancer And The Moon

Galliard

The Ashgrove

Somewhere Over The Sea (The Moon Is Shining)

The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over The Sea)

The Spinner’s Tale

Carry On… Jon

 

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been hesitant about checking out Ritchie Blackmore’s post Purple/Rainbow output with Blackmore’s Night. I’ve heard bits and pieces of the music over the years, but as a fan of his rock stuff, I’m perplexed as to why he would forsake his Fender for acoustic Celtic folk music. A friend of mine is thoroughly convinced he abandoned the rock world for a piece of ass. I can’t say for certain this is the truth (his young wife is very good looking.) Perhaps he was ready for a change of pace in his life. Again, without talking to the man myself, I can’t answer these questions. With their latest and 8th release, Dancer and the Moon, I’m finally giving Blackmore’s Night a fair shake.

With the opening track “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today” I noticed two things: 1. Sounds like the Fender has been dusted off. Without having heard the previous releases I can’t say if this is the first time, but it was nice hearing it none-the-less. 2. Candice Night truly does have a beautiful voice. Otherwise the album is pretty typical of what one would expect of Ritchie Blackmore playing medieval music. The guitar work is fantastic, and pretty well holds up to his standards. As I stated, Night’s voice is startlingly lovely. What this album boils down to is this: do you enjoy music of this genre? Songs like “The Last Leaf,” “Minstrels In the Hall,” and “The Ashgrove” are very lovely and enjoyable listens, and tracks like “I Thin It’s Gonna Rain Today” and “The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)” almost sound like he wants to rock again. The album certainly puts one in the mood for a second breakfast and a long foot journey with a Hobbit if you so desired.

I’ll be honest; I doubt very seriously I would listen to this album ever again. Not to take anything away from it as it’s strictly a taste thing. If I were wanting some background music while reading A Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings, perhaps I’ll bring it back out, but it’s far too mellow for this old metalhead. The music is very lovely and certainly takes some skill to perform, but much like many of Blackmore’s old school fans, I long for the day he brings out the Fender full time and gets back to shredding.

 

Written by Chris Martin

Ratings    Chris    6/10

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