Volume pedal interplay with some subtle percussion opens Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today,” the first tune of Blackmore Night’s eighth studio album, Dancer & The Moon. The track ends with a stylish lead from none other than Ritchie Blackmore, who steps up for more of his trademark leads, the likes of which we haven’t heard in too long a time.
Dancer & The Moon is a slice of numerous turns and twists. There’s the Russian-flavored mid- tempo stomp of “Trioka” with Candice Night’s soft voice at its center. “Lady In Black” is a minstrels’ dance round a Uriah Heep classic. Full of clappy percussion, flutes and acoustics, it’s not until Blackmore breaks it out with a sizzling lead that things get interesting.
“Minstrels in the Hall” sees the guitarist sparkling across the frets on this Baroquian acoustic number, while the remake of Rainbow’s “Temple of the King,” a tribute to Ronnie Jame Dio has Night competent throughout, the strings rise nicely, but it’s really Blackmore’s guitar that saves the day. The title track revels in solid percussion, strings and woodwinds – a catchy little ditty to be sure.
Night is much more in her element on “Somewhere Over The Sea (The Moon is Shining),” with Blackmore running acoustic lines perfectly. The synth-led “The Moon Is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea)” is more of a rocker with better overall production. “Carry On…Jon,” which ends this 13-song set, is a loving tribute to Jon Lord, Deep Purple’s organist and Blackmore’s band mate from the very beginning.
This is the kind of stuff we have all ached to hear from Blackmore for so long. Clearly, on Dancer & The Moon, Ritchie Blackmore sounds more like the Ritchie Blackmore from the old days, playing around on some rather decent tunes with the silky voice of Candice Night and a more than capable band following his every whim.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
