|
 |
Blackmore's Night - The
Village Lanterne (Steamhammer US)
Released: April 2006
The note came from the publicist, about Candice Night, "...who is the lead
vocalist for Blackmore's Night and who I think would be great for your
site!"
A note went back from the cynical reviewer - words to the effect of, "I'll
be the judge of that! Bring me a disc!"
And even after it arrived - the release that came with the disc spoke of
"...the merry world of Medieval life..." and the group's "Now Age" sound.
The reviewer was dubious.
Deep breath.
Stacey - you were right, and the cynical reviewer was wrong, for all kinds
of reasons I'd never have believed. Left to my own devices, this is a fine
disc I would have never heard.
Candice Night is the lead singer for this group, founded a decade or so
ago, by Ritchie Blackmore - a driving force behind one of the legendary
rock bands of my youth, Deep Purple. This is more than flutes and lutes,
Rauschpfeife and bladder pipes. (Oh,
go look it up.)
It's driving guitars, with some really nice riffs, presumably by
Blackmore; the liner notes are a little skimpy on credits.
But it's Night's voice that gets my attention. This is good stuff.
Delicate at times, on tracks like "Windmills" or the title track, "Village
Lanterne." Full and folksy (does one dare say "lusty?") on "Mond Tanz/Child
In Time," or "Olde Mill Inn." By the time one gets to the end - "Street of
Dreams" - it's pedal to the floor, with Blackmore in the spotlight, and
Ms. Night backing the band.
Think Enya on steroids, fronting a more powerful group of musicians. And
that's ultimately the comparison that needs to be made. Forget "Medieval,"
and comparisons to Stevie Nicks.
If you like Enya, you're going to really like this disc.
I do, and I did. Highly recommended.
 Three microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(04/23/06) |
