Blackmore’s Night have returned in 2015 with the 12-song All Our Yesterdays album. Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night once again create a thick tapestry of Renaissance flavored songs (instrumental and pop hits both) and some very interesting covers on their tenth album together. Opening with the title track, we get Night’s sweet vocal and Blackmore’s acoustic at the start, then a stomping, swirling beat and sing-along choruses. “Allan yn n fan” and “Darker Shade Of Black,” are instrumentals that show off Blackmore’s fluid styling — dramatic with plodding strings, a harpsichord and acoustic beginning section then flows into more electric guitar.
There is a soft read of Gary White’s “Long Long Time” (a hit for Linda Ronstadt in 1970) as well as a cover of Mike Oldfield’s “Moonlight Shadow,” with Blackmore managing big. fat and open acoustic strumming before a clean and sailing lead at the end. A swirly acoustic cover of Sonny Bono’s “I Got You Babe” truly works with Night singing both parts, big drums and solid harmonies by Lady Lynn. Blackmore’s acoustic lead and Night’s call-and-response at the end makes this the best cover on the record.
There’s low arpeggio key bass and Blackmore’ slicing electric (of which there is plenty on the whole record) on “Where Are We Going From Here.” The staccato snare hits, Rainbow-like pull offs, slide playing, all in a heady and fast mix build to an end-of-the-tune modulation where things get even heavier. “Will o’ the Wisp” presents the other end of the musical spectrum with a full use of lots of those other stringed instruments Blackmore’s Night has at its disposal. All Our Yesterdays has a solid mix of varied songs, some fun covers and lots of Ritchie Blackmore playing across the frets, electric as well as acoustic. What more could one want?
~ Ralph Greco
