BLACKMORE’s NIGHT – To The Moon & Back 20 Years & Beyond [2-CD Japanese Edition]

On occasion of its 20th anniversary, BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – the internationally heralded Renaissance rock band helmed by six-string extraordinaire Ritchie Blackmore and his wife, vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Candice Night – released “To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond…“, a two-disc collection of favorites, new material, and some Rainbow stuff.
‘Shadow Of The Moon’ was Blackmore’s Night debut album and since then, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) and his muse and meanwhile wife Candice Night have been creating a symbiosis of medieval melodies, mystical lyrics and modern musical arrangements with a rock vibe.

CD1 contains 13 of the best tracks from their successful albums plus an exciting 9-minute live version of the fan favourite ‘Home Again’. Among the best cuts, ‘Ghost Of A Rose’ is a great tune that would not been out of place into an early Rainbow album.

CD2 is really interesting for collectors, and particularly Ritchie Blackmore fans.
The disc boasts 5 never before released new versions (re-done 2017), 5 of Ritchie favourite instrumental tracks selected by himself, as well as the song from the ‘new’ Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ (a reworking of British patriotic anthem “Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1”, written in 1902).

There’s brand new songs as well: ‘Ghost Of John’, which proudly introduces the vocals of Autumn Blackmore (the 6-year daughter of Blackmore and Night), and as bonus track a cover of the famous Rainbow tune ‘I Surrender’, with Night providing the vocals – which works really well.

Blackmore’s Night music has its very good moments with Ritchie skillful movements between acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, cello, and hurdy gurdy, Night’s ethereal vocals and command of seven medieval woodwind instruments (bagpipe, chanters, etc), and the consummate musicianship of keyboardist / back-up vocalist Bard David, violinist Scarlett Fiddler, bassist / rhythmic guitarist Earl Grey, and many more.
Some kind of a ‘Best Of’ worth the addition to your Blackmore / Rainbow / Deep Purple collection.
Highly Recommended

Ｗａｒｄ Ｒｅｃｏｒｄｓ Ｉｎｃ ～ 【GQCS-90415】

CD 1:
01 – Shadow of the Moon
02 – Spirit of the Sea
03 – Renaissance Faire
04 – Play Minstrel Play
05 – Under a Violet Moon
06 – Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
07 – Fires at Midnight
08 – Ghost of a Rose
09 – Cartouche
10 – Village Lanterne
11 – The Circle
12 – 25 Years
13 – Dandelion Wine
14 – Home Again (Live)

CD 2:
01 – I Surrender (Bonus Track)
02 – Moonlight Shadow (2017 Version)
03 – Somewhere over the Sea (2017 Version)
04 – Writing on the Wall (2017 Version)
05 – Coming Home (2017 Version)
06 – Ghost of John (Bonus Track)
07 – Minstrel Hall
08 – Possum Goes to Prague
09 – Durch den Wald zum Bach Haus
10 – Nur eine Minute
11 – Village Dance
12 – Rainbow; Land of Hope and Glory (2017 Version)

Ritchie Blackmore – guitars, bass, mandolin, percussion
Candice Night – lead & backing vocals, wind instruments
Bard David, Pat Regan – keyboards
Tom Brown – cello
Scarlett Fiddler, Lady Green – viola, violins
Earl Grey – bass, rhythm guitar

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/GQCS-90415