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This is something all of Blackmore's
Night fans have been waiting for, a DVD of a live performance
with interviews and all the extra goodies. It is all here
on Castles & Dreams. I have completely enjoyed all of their
studio work and I often wondered how it would be to watch
them perform some of their best material live. Well now I
know, Blackmore's Night is just as good live as they are in
the studio. All of the appropriate visual effects are in place,
the stage setting, and all the clothing everyone wears in
the band. A lot of audience members dress for the occasion
as well. It is very similar to a Renaissance Fair complete
with a traveling minstrel show.***
The two generous DVDs offer quite
a selection of songs, spanning their career. The extras and
behind the scenes material is quite interesting. Interviews
with band members, Ritchie and Candace, and commentary from
their manager Carole Stevens are included. One thing I found
out was how long Ritchie and Candace have been together. I
like many others, figured they started the band together and
their relationship developed from there, this is not the case
at all, they have been together for over 15 years now. So
Candace was with him when he was with Rainbow and his brief
stints with Deep Purple.***
Since this band has so many loyal
fans all over the world, the DVD is in several languages so
everyone can enjoy it. They are all about their fans and this
DVD is a perfect example of how they feel.***
Some of the more amazing performances
are impromptu takes inside a castle. It is an amazing thing
to witness. Because of the acoustic instruments they play
it's the perfect setting, the sounds resonate as the building
serves as the amplifier. The Concert Burg Veldenstein offers
only two tracks where Blackmore picks up the electric guitar,
which surprised me. After hearing all of the studio albums
you think I would be used to this by now. Even though I have
enjoyed their entire output immensely, it still seems odd
that most of the music he plays now is on an acoustic. It
must be because I am such a big Rainbow and Deep Purple fan.
This is definitely an entirely different phase of Blackmore's
career and those days are nothing more than a memory and one
he would rather not talk about. He prefers to focus on the
here and now and where the music is going from this day forward.
There is nothing commercial or flashy about this music and
the way they present it, which the band prides itself on.
I think that is why the band and their fans are such a closely-knit
entity. This one thing allows them to stay under the commercial
radar and continue making the music they truly enjoy. They
are not concerned with making millions of dollars only in
the quality of their music and that their fans enjoy it with
them.***
This band is so down to earth. There
is some footage of them at a restaurant with people gathered
around and they are talking and singing. It is all in the
spirit of the music and the fellowship it encourages.*** For
me this really put everything into proper perspective regarding
Blackmore's Night. It was like visiting with them for a while
to get to know them better. If you are an ardent fan like
me you will relish this set, it has everything you could possibly
ask for.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
http://www.muzikreviews.com
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