PAST TIMES WITH GOOD COMPANY

I was quite unimpressed by Blackmore's Night's first couple of studio albums and then I gave up on them altogether. But Blackmore's Night is actually a much better band live than they are in the studio. At least we are spared the glossy and very pop oriented production of many the studio albums, and the electric guitar is brought out a bit more in the live setting, at least compared to the first two studio albums.

Still, this is primarily a rather light weight (too much so for my taste) renaissance and Folk rock concert with only occasional ventures into the rock past of Ritchie. Deep Purple and Rainbow gets one song each, which I think is too little. But it is understandable that they want to concentrate on the material they have done together. Candice Night sings the Deep Purple classic Soldier Of Fortune really well. It is a beautiful version.

The Rainbow song was a surprise. Here Ritchie brings out his Stratocaster and we get some heavy riffs. Despite being very eclectic music, this is hardly progressive though. But it warms the heart of a Rainbow fan like this writer.

Much of the music here is traditional and the selection here is basically Blackmore's Night's greatest hits with a Rainbow and a Purple song thrown in. They perform well and Candice can really communicate with an audience. The good atmosphere oozes out of the speakers.

Blackmore's Night is certainly not an essential band for the Prog fan. But if you want to check them out, the best way to enjoy them is probably in a live setting. This might be the only Blackmore's Night album you ever need (though the Fires At Midnight album is good too).