Artist: BLACKMORE'S NIGHT
Album: FIRES AT MIDNIGHT (CD)

Release date: 2001
Media type: CD

I lost track of Ritchie's carreer at mid nineties, after his (I believe) last Rainbow album, which already had Candice Night as co-writer of the lyrics on some songs. I found this album by chance in the local record-store and decided to give it a try. Of course I expected a heavy (Gothic perhaps) rock album. But this album took me completely by surprise. it was nothing I had imagined him to play like.

Instead of heavy electric guitar, accoustic minstrell guitar takes the lead, often using 'ancient' traditional melodies, which would fit well in the halls of ancient castles or tavernes of old. Candice Night's fairy like fragile vocals carry the tunes very well, I immediatly fell in love with the sound of her voice, and the addictive cheerfull melodies on this album. Nice whistles, violins and other traditional instruments complement the minstrell band.

The music is similar in style and sound as some of Jethro Tull's music (I wasn't really surprised when I found out Ian Anderson contributed to their debut album). With very distinct folk/Minstrell influences, and occasionally Ritchie let's loose with a heavy solo, but all in accordence with the general relaxed nature of the album.

Recommended. especialy for all who enjoy accoustic guitar based melodic music.

http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2165#reviews


TRACKLIST:

01. Written in the Stars (4:49)
02. The Times they are a Changin' (3:33)
03. I Still Remember (5:42)
04. Home Again (5:24)
05. Crowning of the King (4:31)
06. Fayre Thee Well (2:07)
07. Fires At Midnight (7:32)
08. Hanging Tree (3:47)
09. The Storm (6:08)
10. Mid-Winter's Night (4:30)
11. All Because of You (3:36)
12. Waiting Just for You (3:13)
13. Praetorius (Courante)(1:57)
14. Benzai-Ten (3:48)
15. Village on the Sand (5:04)
16. Again Someday (5:08)
17. Possum's Last Dance (2:42)

Total time: 73:42

LINE-UP:

- Ritchie Blackmore / electric & acoustic guitar, mandolin, Hurdy, Gurdy, tambourine, Renaissance drum
- Candice Night / vocals backing, vocals, Shawm harp, Recorder, Pennywhistle, electric bagpipes
- Sir Robert of Normandie / bass, backing vocals
- Carmine Giglio / keyboards
- Pat Regan / keyboards
- Chris Devine / violin, viola, flute
- Mike Sorrentino / drums
- Albert Dannemann / Bagpipes on All Because Of You"
- Richard Wiederman / trumpets
- John Passanante / rombone
- Ruby's Choir (live on Home Again") / Michelle Anita, John Cathy, Ken Robert, Mike Trish, Scott Sue, Carmine Mary Pete