Blackmore\’s Night Secret Voyage - First Studio Album For Years
If you’re a fan of Blackmore’s Night then you’re going to love Secret Voyage - the first studio album from the band for many years.
As they have done with previous works, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night have used traditional melodies and uniquely blended them with contemporary music to produce a style of music best defined as Renaissance Folk Rock. As before, Ritchie Blackmore’s brilliant guitar is complemented by Candice Night’s lyrics and vocals.
The album Secret Voyage consists of twelve brand new tracks. Their latest offering has apparently been inspired by nature and incorporates both acoustic and electric guitars, strings and renaissance instruments.
History of the band:
The ban originated in 1990 when Candice Night was working at a New York radio station. She met Ritchie Blackmore at a soccer game in which he was playing. The two realised they shared an interest in the Renaissance and subsequently entered into a relationship.
Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1993 and two years later he recorded the album Stranger in Us All. Candice Night sang backing vocals and contributed to some of the lyrics.
It was at this point that Blackmore became interested in the idea of bringing Renaissance music to a contemporary audience. He decided that Night’s personality and voice made her the natural choice as lead singer. They launched their new band in 1997, with session musicians rounding out the line-up.
The first album, Shadow of the Moon, was a success. As the band continued, rock guitar became more and more influential although - paradoxically - Night contributed more in the way of Renaissance instruments.
The group performs at Renaissance events, as well as touring in their own right. They tend to favour castles as venues and their audience will typically dress in period costume. The success of the band has even spawned two tribute bands - Renaissance Night and Italian Morning Star.
Discography:
Shadow of the Moon (1997)
Under a Violet Moon (1999)
Fires at Midnight (2001)
Ghost of a Rose (2003)
Past Times with Good Company (2003) (Live)
Beyond the Sunset: The Romantic Collection (2004) (Compilation)
Castles and Dreams (2005) (DVD - Live)
The Village Lanterne (2006)
Winter Carols (2006)
Paris Moon (2007) (DVD - Live)
Paris Moon (2007) (Live)
Secret Voyage (2008)
Current band members:
Ritchie Blackmore - guitars, mandolin, domra
Candice Night - vocals, horn, flute
Bard David of larchmont - keyboards
Squire Malcolm of Lumley (Malcolm Dick) - drums
Gypsy Rose - Violin
Earl Grey of Chemey - Bass, mandolin and guitar
Former band members
Sisters of the Moon: Lady Madeline and Lady Nancy (Madeline and Nancy Posner) - backing vocals
Lord Marnen of Wolfhurst (Marnen Laibow-Koser) - violin, flute, recorder
Chris Devine - violin, flute, guitar
Carmine Giglio - keyboards
Mike Sorrentino - percussion
Sir Robert of Normandie (Robert Curiano) - bass, guitars
Tudor Rose (Tina Chancey) - violin, flute
Mick Cervino - bassist
Marci Geller
Adam Forgione
Alex Alexander
Jessie Haynes - guitars and backing vocals
Lady Rraine (Lorraine Ferro) - harmony vocals
Baron St James
Article by Marek Adam Norvid
Marek Norvid has been in the music business since he was the entertainment officer at Newcastle University back in the 80s. In the late 80’s he set up RPM Music which is one of the few independent records stores still in existence in the UK. You can visit Visit cdxpress.co.uk to check out the latest classic rock releases.
