Blackmore’s Night - Dancer and the Moon
Blackmore’s Night - CD Review
Dancer and the Moon
CD Info
2013
Frontier Records
13 Tracks
English Lyrics
Blackmore’s Night needs little introduction. The band was formed back in 1997, by Ritchie Blackmore, the famous leader of the 1980s metal band Rainbow, and his wife Candice Night. Ritchie Blackmore, plays all acoustic and electric guitars, nickelharpe, mandola, hurdy gurdy, and tambourine. Candice Night sings alllead vocals, harmony vocals, all plays the Renaissance and Medieval woodwinds. The band has also enlisted the musical performances of Bard David of Larchmont, on keyboards and backingvocals; Lady Kelly Dewinter, on harmony vocals and French horn; Earl Grey of Chimay, on bass and rhythm guitar; The Scarlet Fiddler, on violin; and the Troubador of Aberdeen, on percussion.
Blackmore'sNight’s Dancer and the Moon was released on Frontiers Records on June 14, 2013. Dancer and the Moon is Blackmore’s Night’s eighth original studio album, with each disc topping the Europeanand American Billboard's New Age charts.
The vocals of Candice Night have often filled fireplace lit nights around my home. She has that wonderful full distinctive ability to deliver passion and power in the same note. Her words are easy to understand and her voice does not rise too high or drop to low. Dancer and the Moon continues that wonderful consistency, only adding maybe a little twang on the opener, “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today”.
“Troika” is a wonderful dance – filled Russianfolk song full of wonderful tambourine and mandolin that will have you on your feet and maybe at least clapping to the beat. Raise your glass…Nostrovia!
“The Last Leaf” will have you wishing for fall. Wonderful guitar and Night’s soft voice telling another tale of old.
“Lady in Black” will take you back to the Renaissance as no one other than Blackmore’s Night seems to be able to do well anymore. Another wonderful fireside song that will fill your nights full of good storytelling.
“Minstrels in the Hall” and “Galliard” are my favorite tracks on the album. Excellent slow acoustic guitar instrumentals with tambourine or string accompaniment.
“Ashgrove” is another famous melody and story which will bring back memories, as Night’s beautiful soft vocals sooth.
“The Spinner’s Tale” is the kind of story it seems that modern musicians are avoiding. The stories of old or new. Few bands are writing them lately. Thankfully Blackmore’s Night still appreciates a tale set to period music.
How many times recently can you say that every track on an album is worth the price of admission? It seems to be getting harder each year. However, leaders in the field like Blackmore’s Night are consistently capable of providing those wonderful tales with period set music that take you away from modernity for a while and transport you back to a time when words and music meant something very dear. Thanks Blackmore’s Night for this new album. May the stories, the music and the dance continue forever...
8 / 10
