Blackmore's Night: Under A Violet Moon •

Review by Kris

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"Close your eyes and allow yourself to remember a time of fables, of mystery, of allowing yourself to lose yourself to a dream. Once , long before the invention of the internet, the fax , even the phone- people sat around bonfires under the moon and played beautiful music and weaved webs of stories. Welcome back to that time. You have just entered the realm of Blackmore's Night. On their latest musical excursion, Under A Violet Moon (Platinum Entertainment), legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore hasd a doorway that knows no time or space. He entrances the listener with melodies from a time long forgotten and from far away. Lyricist and vocalist Candice Night has a voice that instantly soothes the listener. Her words speak of the "days of Avalon, where magic rules as king" as she invites you to "close your eyes and lose yourself" in this realm. The title track evokes images of that aforementioned bonfire, the sparks flying around the acoustic guitar and church organ solos- stirring up an excitement deeply felt in one's soul. Lyrically this song vividly shows the images of a renaissance faire asking the fortune tellers to share their secrets and spreading the general good feeling of a European, tavern-like atmosphere. Castles and Dreams is a more melancholy, soul searching song. Again, the angelic voice of Candice and the acoustic guitar and lush string sounds surround you with a comfort that sometimes only music can create. Past Time With Good Company is a song that was originally composed and performed by King Henry V111 of England. It transports you back to the 16th century urging one to enjoy the feeling of remembering the past times with friends and memories that you have shared. The horns, trombones and trumpets used in the intro of this song brings you back to the Renaissance times of magical England. My favorite line in this song is "Idleness is chief mistress of vices all." Continuing on our musical tour through out Europe of times gone past is the next song- Morning Star. This song has a more middle eastern, exotic feel to it- you may find yourselves belly dancing to this! A brilliant violin solo introduces you to the melody. The violin played by Miri Ben-Ari, a very talented Israeli violinist who has studied with Issac Stern. Lyrically, the morning star translates into not being afraid to realize your dreams and make them happen. "Can it be so hard to try and charm the elusive Morning Star?" and "Try to free the gypsy in your heart by trying to catch the Morning Star." Avalon is a beautiful melody originally taken from an anonymous composer of the Renaissance times. The main melody line was taken from the original song and new arrangements, words and a middle part was added to complete the feeling that you are in the magical land of Avalon. "The moon beneath the castle walls as the nightingale sings." Possum Goes To Prague is a brilliant instrumental played on acoustic guitar with wonderful strings depicting the imagery of a Possum running across (yes, he makes it!) Technically it is a very precise, intricate and exciting piece. Wind In The Willows is a duet between folk singer John Ford (formally of the English folk group- the Strawbs) and Candice Night. It is an English melody that Candice plays the penny whistle on. Gone With The Wind is a more intense song and the only one in which Ritchie Blackmore plays the electric guitar on to add to the emotion. There are parts of a traditional Russian song called Meadowlands used to bring you into Russia, mentally. The story is a familiar one; one that our ancestors have probably all gone through to get to this wonderful country that we are in today. I had read in an interview that Candice said the story was written about her grandmothers escape from Prussia after the Kossacks had burned down her village. Those who were left escaped in the brutal wintertime and embarked on a journey that they hoped would give them a new life. Those who survived the fires, freezing cold and long, unsanitary boat ride arrived at Ellis Island unable to speak a word of English and with out any records showing who they were. Candice's grandmother was a child when they gave her a new name, a new birthday, a new identity. She could start anew- but she would always remember "those fires in the night... twisting , turning - the winds are burning - leaving me with out a name. How will we ever find our way?" Beyond the Sunset is an incredible instrumental that is the most peaceful piece of music I have ever heard. Prepare to be hypnotized as Ritchie Blackmore once again works his magic to relax you. March The Heroes Home is about wanting the end of wars and the beginning of peace for all. It , too, is taken from a Renaissance song originally written by Tielmann Sussato. The crescendo at the end includes other minstrels from around the world- the German band Des Geyers playing bagpipes, recorders, spinets; The Hellers on hurdy gurdys. A wonderful way to bring it all together. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well) has flavors of traditional Spanish melodies and the story is about the flamenco dancers of Spain and their ability to completely lose themselves to the power of the dance. Catherine Howard's Fate is a very emotional song that tells the tale of Henry VIII's 5th wife Catherine Howard. The song is written from her perspective as she writes a letter to her husband, the kind, pleading with him to give her another chance. She spent days in the Tower of London knowing that if she could just see her husband again she could make everything all right. Each morning she didn't know if the man who came to see her would be her husband, or the executioner. Finally, it was the executioner that came. Candice's voice sounds so fragile in this song- and you really believe that it is the 16 year old Catherine who is singing it. It is only voice and lute and, in its simplicity, is probably the most moving song on the album. Fool's Gold has a wonderful story to it- beginning "somewhere is a market square, the cobblestones still shine". And asks the age old question about who is happiest, the person with all the riches (and all the pressures) or the simple person who has no riches but what is in his heart? Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus is a light instrumental that translated means "Through the Woods To Bach's House". You can imagine yourself skipping through a field of flowers in springtime as you go to visit the composer JS Bach. Now And Then is a very moving track written solely by Night. It is probably the song that we all can relate to having been in love when it doesn't work out. And yet, she shows you the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Truly a beautiful song with a wonderful moral. Self Portrait is the re working of an old song by a band named Rainbow from the 70's. Very well done- and completely acoustic and different than the original. This album is a work of art in a world where real music by real artists is becoming increasingly difficult to find. So, light some candles, watch a sunset, enjoy the beauty of nature all around you and let the CD work it's magic. Free the gypsy in your soul, Under A Violet Moon."