Blackmore's Night

Blackmore's Night
Background information
Origin United Kingdom
United States
Genres Celtic, folk, folk rock, medieval folk rock, hard rock
Years active 1997–present
Labels Edel, SPV, Ariola, Frontiers
Website blackmoresnight.com
Members Ritchie Blackmore
Candice Night

Blackmore's Night is a British/American traditional folk rock duo formed in 1997, consisting of Ritchie Blackmore (acoustic and electric guitar) and Candice Night (lead vocals, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist). To date they have released nine studio albums; their latest, All Our Yesterdays, was released on September 18, 2015.[1]

History

Early

Candice was a Rainbow fan, and first encountered Ritchie Blackmore to ask him for an autograph in 1989, while she was working for a local New York radio station. The two started living together in 1991, and discovered they both had a passionate interest in Renaissance music.[2]

During the reformed Rainbow's recording of the album Stranger in Us All in 1995, on which Night contributed some of the lyrics and backing harmony vocals, the duo were already gearing up their debut album. Night's personality and singing ability made her the natural choice as frontwoman. In 1997 the project started as being a pun of their own names, which would consist of themselves plus session musicians.

1997 to 2005

Live in Heidelberg, Germany 2002

Their debut album Shadow of the Moon was a musical success and featured Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull on flute for the song "Play Minstrel Play". In subsequent albums, particularly Fires at Midnight, there was an increased incorporation of rock guitar into the music, whilst maintaining a folk rock direction. Over time, Night has increasingly participated instrumentally as well as singing the vocals, and is competent in a wide variety of Renaissance instruments.

The group performs at Renaissance Faires and Renaissance Festivals, as well as in stand-alone concert tours in appropriate venues including 'castle tours' of Europe, where they perform in historic surroundings for an audience dressed largely in period costume. The duo has been successful enough to inspire a number of international tribute bands including: Renaissance Night, the Italian Morning Star and the Midnight.

They have also performed the music for MagiQuest, a live simulation game.[3]

2006–present

Candice Night at the House of Blues, Chicago, in 2009

In 2006, Night performed a duet with Andi Deris on Helloween's "Light the Universe", which was released as a single in certain countries and is available on their album Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy, released in the same year.

On June 27, 2008, the duo released its seventh studio album called Secret Voyage, a mix of medieval-sounding tracks and some contemporary ones. In addition to some covers of some traditional folk music (“Locked Within the Crystal Ball" is from the fourteenth century) and some originals, Blackmore’s Night also performed a cover of a Rainbow song (“Rainbow Eyes”) and an Elvis Presley cover ("Can't Help Falling in Love").

On October 5, 2008, Night and Blackmore were married after 19 years together. This is the fourth marriage for Blackmore.[4]

Autumn Esmerelda Blackmore was born on May 27, 2010. A new album titled Autumn Sky was released soon afterwards. Their son Rory Dartanyan was born on February 7, 2012.

Personnel

Members

Additional personnel

Current additional personnel
Former additional personnel
Studio musicians
  • Pat Regan - various string instruments (1997–2008)
  • Kevin Dunne - drums (1998–1999)

Discography

Logo that features on Blackmore's Night's album artwork

Notes

  • In 1998 "Blackmore's Kingdom" album was released by unknown group of musicians, it contains both Blackmore's Night songs and songs by Steve Tilston.[5][6] This album is most likely a renamed version of guitarist Greg Joy's album "Celtic Secrets."[7][8] Several of the tracks on this CD also seem to imitate renditions of the same songs by the 1960s folk band Pentangle.

References

  1. ↑ Graff, Gary (September 10, 2015). "Ritchie Blackmore's Band Blackmore's Night Returns With 'Brave'-Inspired Song 'Will O' The Wisp': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  2. ↑ Christian A. (January 7, 2011). "Blackmore’s Night – Candice Night (vocals)". SMNnews.
  3. ↑ "Blackmore's Night - The Music". The Official MagiQuest Homepage. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Cashmere, Paul (October 20, 2008). "Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night Marry". Undercover.com.au.
  5. ↑ "Blackmore's Kingdom isn't us". May 2005.
  6. ↑ "Allmusic entry for "Swans at Coole" by Steve Tilston".
  7. ↑ "Albums of Greg Joy".
  8. ↑ "Short Greg Joy biography".

External links

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