World-Rock-Celtic Review: Blackmore's Night-To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond...

Release Date: August 11, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

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I have been listening to Ritchie Blackmore play guitar since the 70s. He was always one of my favorites and so were his bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. I believe he made even more prolific music after moving on from DP.  Rainbow was an amazing project with a string of great albums, and the beginning of his change in direction. So, what happened after that? If you are a fan you know the answer.

It is hard to believe that this much time has already passed.  To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond… is the quintessential career retrospective for the band.  The 2 CDs are comprised of 26 tracks, bonus tracks, recent versions of older tracks and a bonus video.

You get the whole package, all the goodies wrapped up in a nice tight little package. And if you are a big fan that owns all the releases, it helps you appreciate the band’s accomplishments even more. It is also a reminder of how much great music this amazing group of musicians have produced over two decades. And that does not include several tasty DVD sets.

Great players like Blackmore have always surrounded themselves with a stellar supporting cast and this band is no exception. And yes, they are unique in a typically watered down repetitive pop hit culture. They are and always will be light years ahead of that curve. That is the very reason I was attracted to them so strongly, and of course all the previously mentioned reasons. 

This band plays music that takes you back in time, way back, hundreds of years. Blackmore and his mates offer up a lively combination of world, rock and Celtic music that would tickle any music lovers fancy. The musicianship is impeccable and his wife, the beautiful Candace Night, has the voice of an angel. That all combines for a stunning combination of sounds and visions of days gone by, when the knights of the round table ruled in ancient castles (where by the way they like to play concerts) and Robin Hood was stealing from the greedy rich to give to the poor. 

The band dresses up in period clothing and their audience members are glad to oblige. A concert from Blackmore’s Night (which I have attended) is something special. It’s like being serenaded at the Renaissance Fair by some of the greatest musicians in the world. It truly is a multi-dimensional experience that you need to experience at least once. Listening to the music will give you a good idea of what to expect. It is carefree, relaxed and sometimes their music just plain rocks. That is fine with me when Blackmore pulls out that white electric guitar and gives it a workout.

When you are finished listening to To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond… it will feel like the title was a good description of the uplifting this music can give you. If you have not heard this music this it is a great starter set. If you are fan like me, you will love it without question.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 14, 2017

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Tracks:
Disc One:
  01. Shadow of the Moon
  02. Spirit of the Sea
  03. Renaissance Faire
  04. Play Minstrel Play
  05. Under a Violet Moon
  06. Spanish Nights
  07. Fires at Midnight
  08. Ghost of a Rose
  09. Cartouche
  10. Village Lanterne
  11. The Circle
  12. 25 Years
 13. Dandelion Wine
 14. Home Again (Live)
 
Disc Two:  
  15. I Surrender (Bonus Track)
  16. Moonlight Shadow (2017 Version)
  17. Somewhere Over the Sea (2017 Version)
  18. Writing on the Wall (2017 Version)
  19. Coming Home (2017 Version)
  20. Ghost of John (Bonus Track)
  21. Minstrel Hall