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BLACKMORE’S NIGHT WINTER CAROLS
Ritchie Blackmore is one of the very few great guitarists who display musical genius, individuality and integrity in equally large parts. Within his bands Deep Purple and Rainbow, he frequently displayed his liking for medieval music, expertly combining medieval inflections with hard rock and thus developing a guitar style that is truly unique. In the mid-1990s, Blackmore took a step which may have confounded some of his rock fans but which seemed perfectly logical to countless others: he founded the “renaissance rock” band, Blackmore’s Night, together with his partner, the vocalist Candice Night. This band, surely, is the ultimate expression of Ritchie’s unique musical ability and his fascination for medieval music. Together with Candice Night, whose ethereal voice enchants every listener and whose stage presence is nothing short of captivating, Ritchie Blackmore has found the perfect vehicle for his musical vision.
In 1997, their debut album, ‘Shadow Of The Moon’, was released to global acclaim, going gold in Japan and charting throughout Europe, with no less than 17 weeks on the German album charts. Two years later, Blackmore’s Night released their second album, ‘Under A Violet Moon’, which reached no. 20 on the German album charts and no. 12 in Japan. In the USA, the album won the ‘Vocal Album of the Year Award’. Their 2001 release, ‘Fires At Midnight’ went gold in Europe (charting at no. 9 in Germany and no. 20 in Japan) and 2003’s ‘Ghost Of A Rose’ once again won the ‘Vocal Album of the Year Award’ in the USA. Their eagerly awaited double DVD, ‘Castles And Dreams’, was released in 2005, lavishing almost 4 hours playing time upon their fans. In early 2006, their last album release, ‘The Village Lanterne’, entered the charts in Germany and Japan, riding high for several months.
Now, Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore are turning another of their dreams into reality: they are releasing their first and long-awaited Holiday album. Candice and Ritchie have always loved the winter: the brisk clean air on a frosty eve when you can feel all your senses alive with the season. The earth seems to be blanketed in innocence and purity. It evokes memories of good friends and families sitting around the fireplace, or the spirit of the holidays when the world seems to be a more forgiving gentle one, and people join with those they love. It evokes festivities and bright candlelight, and music that was sung and performed for hundreds of years by minstrels of the Middle Ages – many of these songs still emerge today during the winter season. This is Candice and Ritchie’s interpretation of many favourite carols, shared, performed and enjoyed for the past 400 years. Candice: “The holiday season has always embodied joy, love, peace, togetherness. We have always been entranced by the magic of the Season. The sentiments of the holidays are what we try to express in our music year round – so this CD is a natural progression. All the music we craft and create has always been about love, unity and friendship. These songs as a whole are beautiful unifying carols – feel the warmth of friendship. Everyone can join in! Ritchie: “The origin of the word carol means ‘dance’ back in the mid 1500s. Most of the Christmas Carols are from the 1400s, 1500s, 1600s. They are brilliant melodies. I am naturally attracted to these melodies – as a kid of 10, 11, 12, I would go from house to house during the holiday time and sing them just to earn some money. Now, as an adult, I thought I could play them and make more money. The bottom line is most of these are Renaissance melodies. I have a passion for Renaissance music. I love to play these melodies. These were originally played by peasants in the 1400s.1500s. 1600s. The Church tried to stop them by saying these songs weren't holy. Most of the music and lyrics revolved around drinking, having fun and debauchery in general. So the Church changed the lyrics instead of stopping the music. They put new texts to them and they became religious songs. But they didn’t start that way.
This is music Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore have been playing for their friends for many years. Their friends told them to make it into a CD so they could have the music with them year round – so they did – they made this for their friends!
For more information, news and tour details, please visit the official band homepage at www.blackmoresnight.com
DISCOGRAPHY
   
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