Blackmore’s Night
Autumn Sky
Spine Farm Records
www.eaglerockent.com
By George W. Harris

Yes, this is THE Ritchie Blackmore who made his fame producing
(literally) ear splitting electric guitar work on classic Deep Purple
albums like Machine Head and Made In Japan. I think he’s still listen
in the Guinness World Book of Records for the loudest concerts ever.
The mysterious man in black traded his Strat for an acoustic guitar a
number of years ago, this saving his ears (and sanity?). He’s taken up
Medieval and Renaissance music, and teamed up with Candice Night to
create some pretty impressive music. It feels like sort of a throwback
to the 70s, when bands like Jethro Tull and Steeleye Span did similar
material, but this feels more authentic.

There’s no doubting that Night’s voice is a gorgeous treat, as she
displays on “Highland” and “Vagabond,” and the band, which consists of
David Of Larchmont/key, Gypsy Rose/violin, Earl Grey of Chimay/b,
Squire Malcom of Lumley/perc, and Albert Danneman/woodwinds, play with
veracity, although their monikers are quite tongue in cheek. Besides
traditional fare, or tunes based on the 16th century, there is a take
of The Kinks’ “Celluloid Heroes” that is amazingly poignant and
attention grabbing. They make the 20th century fit right in the mood,
making this a surprisingly successful disc. Blackmore has “Faired” well
in his later years.