Search - Blackmore's Night :: Shadow of the Moon

Stunning Debut

bogubundus2 | Rochester, NY | 03/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first popped this in my CD player, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. As soon as I heard the first few notes of the title track, I sensed something special. As I listened to the rest of the CD, I was not only not disappointed, I was awestruck! The mark of a great CD is that it stands the test of time. In other words, you can listen to it over and over and over again without getting sick of it. "Shadow of the Moon" is one such CD. It not only propels the listener to other times and places, but the songs are both diversified enough and catchy and accessible enough so as to never get boring. And Blackmore has created his own distinctive style of acoustic lead guitar - he frequently plays variations and improvisations over the basic melody rather than simply repeating the melody - very refreshing. He also plays with an energy and intensity and vitality which is so often lacking in acoustic music. There are several absolutely stunning classics here which will be spinning around in your CD player for years to come: "Shadow of the Moon", "The Clock Ticks On", "Play Minstrel Play", Renaissance Faire", and "Mond Tanz". The title track, with its energetic acoustic guitar in the foreground and hypnotic, understated electric guitar in the background is a strong, impressive opener. "The Clock Ticks On" is even better. It starts out with a blast of trumpets and French Horns followed by some nice acoustic lead with accompanying viola. Other instruments join in to create a medieval, fairy-tale quality. "Play Minstrel Play" is another jaw-dropper. It has a "Little Drummer Boy" quality with the male "rum-rum-rum" voices in the background. It starts out slowly then suddenly shifts into speeded-up high-gear, propelled by guest flutist Ian Anderson's blistering flute playing and Blackmore's rapid-fire string rolling. "Renaissance Faire" is another killer: mandolin and horns playing a beautiful melody under lyrics about "fields of gold...down at the Renaissance Faire" will surely transport you to the Faire of bygone days. Finally, "Mond Tanz", a medieval-sounding instrumental, has a melody so catchy you wish it would go on forever, and it does, long after the CD player is turned off, continue to swim around in your head. Other highlights include a competent version of the old Renaissance classic, "Ocean Gypsy", featuring the most restrained playing by Blackmore - appropriate for the sad tone of the song; and "Magical World", another sweet fairy-tale tune. The remaing songs are all quite good as well, with the exception of 3 songs which have too many soft, sappy, syrupy strings added for my taste, and one tune, "Writing on the Wall", which is ruined by a horrible fake, mechanical, synthesized disco-drum beat. With 12 out of 16 songs very good-to-excellent, this CD deserves a 4 1/2 stars, rounded to a 5. Overall, a very impressive debut from the man in black. I was beginning to wonder if he would ever get out of the rut he was in on the last couple of Rainbow albums, and that question has been more than resoundingly answered in the affirmative. Indeed, Blackmore has found his creative niche. This is the most interesting and creative stuff Blackmore has ever done in his entire career, and I hope he continues in this vein for many years to come."

Contrary to the others

jay williams | 09/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I disagree with most of the reviews listed here. I really liked this album. I love medevial-like and medevial music, which is what I would characterized this music. Those who do not like "Writing on the wall" are just purist and refuse to hear any variation. I even liked "Wish you were here", which by the way is a remake of an old folk song. Yes, he even kept the same tune. Again, I really like this album and I hope he makes many more like this one. If you are a scadian you to will like this even if it is not period music."

Blackmores Night The Whole Catalog

jay williams | Seattle | 08/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who loves the old rock and roll of the past will know Deep Purple's long line of work. One of the main reasons why this band took off to the top of the rock world is having one of the greatest guitar players in the world transmitting his perfect notes to our ears. Without question Ritchie Blackmore is of the elite and after he finally departed from Deep Purple he went on to produced and create some of the best music on earth. You can't go wrong when purchasing any of the 4 releases by Blackmore's night, this is top notch music and takes you to places you thought you have been, until now! Blackmore comes full circle in his career with this classical-reniassance and mystical music from a long time ago. After a few minutes listening to this amazing music you will be hooked. If your ears have grown up you will for sure love every minute of it. Candice Night's voice will be the best you have ever heard."