CASTLES AND DREAMS

Whether this is BN's first or second DVD (I seem to remember another with a purplish colour >> ooops sorry Ritchie ;o)), I have no idea, but most likely this one is more definitive one, being a double, with the first disc being a full concert and the second being a compilation of video clips, band historics, interviews and discography and little bonus stuffs. Never a major fan of BN, over the years I have grown used to Blackmood's turning his back on the rock industry and even accepted his will to live out his Black Knight fantasies with his Fair Lady, Renaissance Fairs and Dragons Slayed. The man paid his dues to the industry, let the man accomplish his will, no matter how a little quaint or ridiculous it might seem to outsiders.

So I rented the DVD for Christmas (the girlfriend actually likes this stuff), figuring to get some good nude wrestling with the partner out of it, a free meal in terms of a cheese fondue (always guaranteed with BN) and eventually a review to fatten up my grand total and keep evil knights like Gatot, McBeath and ZZ as far back as possible!! Away, you leaches!!! I shall not give up my throne without a fight!!!

The first disc being the object of attention, I can only notice that since the return to favor of Celtic music via The Corrs or to a lesser extent the Wyrd folk movement, BN's concerts seem better attended and they return it well by playing more clichéd jigs and stuff. Soooo, outside the jigs and "Hey Nonny Nonny" clichés, thick enough to enrobe you piece of baguette on your fork, the concert is a rather shallow affair, the group never really getting down to real business (as in Malicorne or Ougenweide stule). One irritation is that throughout many songs, Ritchie's guitar often is under mixed and we have to really pay attention to it. Because have no fear's the man's guitar playing is still intact as often brilliant, but irritatingly un-loud. And after all if we are there to ogle Candice (and the twin back-singers are also babelicious),, we're there to listen to his guitar, not the opposite. One of the cheesiest moments being the Monz Tanz/Child In Time medley where the twins babes (fresh meat for the band, I suppose, so Ritchie can keep his Candy to himself) come out of the shade and ridicule themselves by imitating Gillan's legendary yellings. Throughout the set are appearing a few guests with their instruments for a song or so and for the "encore ", they all come out again with Ritchie playing his Strat electric guitar, there is the usual sing-along and everyone on stage finale.

One of the better moments of the second disc (otherwise the usual self-gratification interviews and video clips) is when Ritchie hints at him being a dirty old man, searching to meet the young virgin Candice (the ages he gives are 11for her . and would you guess it.. 69). Apparently Ritchie hasn't lost his old tricks/practical jokes on the road still around. But overall this second disc, even with the usual praises, shows that the whole deal is to have a good time, rather to make a fortune and that their life on the road does seem to vary from the usual hotels. Hardly essential stuff, but most likely another compromise with the proghead's female partners in sight, provided you put a little water into your wine.