[1] 25 Years (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:57
[2] Village Lanterne (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 5:13
[3] I guess it doesn't matter (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:50
[4] The Messenger [Instrumental] (R.Blackmore) - 2:55
[5] World of Stone (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:25
[6] Faerie Queen (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:56
[7] St. Teresa (J.Osborne/E.Bazilian/R.Hyman/R.Chertoff) - 5:26
[8] Village Dance [Instrumental] (R.Blackmore) - 1:58
[9] Mond Tanz - Child in Time (R.Blackmore/C.Night - Blackmore/Gillan/Glover/Lord/Paice) - 6:12
[10] Streets of London (R.McTell) - 3:48
[11] Just call my name [I'll be there] (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:49
[12] Olde Mill Inn (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 3:20
[13] Windmills (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 3:27
[14] Street of Dreams (R.Blackmore/J.L.Turner) - 4:31
Blackmore's Night:
Ritchie Blackmore - Electric & Acounstic Guitars, Various Drums, Hurdy Gurdy, Musical Director
Candice Night - Lead & Backing Vocals, Shwams, Rauchpfeife, Rcorder, Chanters
Additional personal:
Pat Regan - Keyboards
Sir Robert of Normandie - Bass
Brad David of Larchmont - Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Saharh Steinding - Violine
Anthon Figg - Drums
Albert Dannemann - Bag Pipes, Backing Vocals
Jo-Lynn Turner - Voclas on [10]
Minstrel Hall Consort:
Tom Brown - Cello
Gerald Flashman - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Lady Green - Viola, Violin
Sister of the Moon:
Lady Nancy - Harmony Vocals
Lady Madleine - Harmony Vocals
Ian Robertson - Backing Vocals
Jim Manngard - Backing Vocals
Brad Vance - Mastering
Jeff Picket - Cover Artwork
Michael Keel - Photo Credit
Jörg Kramer - Photo Credit
Martin Rinderknecht - Photo Credit
Andy Brailsford> - Photo Credit
Dave Owen - Photo Credit
Anna-Rikta Grobe - Artwork
Standard Version
Catalogue Number: 99702
Barcode Number: 693723997025
2 CD Deluxe Version
Catalogue Number: 99700
Barcode Number: 693723017228
Blackmore is one of the most exceptional contemporary musicians in
every respect; legendary as both rock guitarist, and with his acoutic
performacnes on mandola, mandolin or hurdy His creativity, composing,
arranging, and production levels are up Blackmore's usual high calibre.
Together with his partner, vocalist Candice Night, Blackmore's Night
bring you exceptional melodies and haunting lyrics - from epic songs,
to ballads, to old village dances - their style of contemporary music
with overtones of the 5 medieval instruments played by Candice make
their Renaissance / Folk / Rock music unique. Her enchanting vocals
will soothe and haunt you as she weaves her musical spell across every
aspect of musical genres. Their penchant for what can only be described
as medieval in style, combines great vocal melodies, seemingly archaic
instrumentations and virtuoso guitar parts with lyrics that allow the
listener to dive deep into a mysterious, romantic world. With their
seventh album, Blackmore continues to develop his ability as a composer
and instrumentalist without ever denying his former artistic identity.
Mond Tanz/Child In Time is the resurrection of one of Deep Purple's
greatest hits in a new guise, and Street Of Dreams is a haunting new
edition of the Rainbow classic. Both songs represent the close artistic
links to Blackmore's work in the Seventies and Eighties. At the same
time, Just Call My Name, 'St. Teresa or I Guess It Doesn´t Matter
show that his rock musician's heart remains ever-present in his new
compositions.
SPV Records - Official Website
“The Village Lanterne” is the brand new studio album by one
of the greatest rock guitarists ever, who continues his medieval,
musical journey with his female companion. We are referring, of course,
to Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night (aka Blackmore’s Night).
How many conversations have been made regarding Blackmore’s
persistence of wasting his talent on mushy ballads? There are others
who claim that his fiancée and his mother-in-law have musically
castrated him!
However things may be, Blackmore’s Night covers its 9th year of
constant presence in the musical forefront and “The Village
Lanterne” is their 5th studio endeavor. I’ve been following
this outfit’s career since the very beginning and I must admit
that its records are of high level, exactly for what they are. Nothing
more or less. After all it is not a coincidence that the very first
thing that I do when I purchase a Blackmore’s Night c.d. is to
discover in how many songs the “Man in Black” make use of
his white Stratocaster. “The Village Lanterne”
couldn’t be an exception. From the 14 songs in there, 5 of them
are played with the aid of an electric guitar, while the guitar solo on
“St. Teresa” will bring back memories of the glory Purple
and Rainbow days.
I personally think that “The Village Lanterne” is the
“rockiest” Blackmore’s Night record to date, although
I could have lived without the rendition of the classic and totally
identifiable with Ian Gillan, “Child in time”.
Nevertheless, Ritchie shows again a clear preference to his white
Stratocaster and the Rainbow cover of “Street of dreams”
doesn’t seem ill-matched with the whole package. “Just call
my name”, “I guess it doesn’t matter” and
“Faerie Queen” are absolutely superb, but I have to point
out as the ultimate highlight of the record the “not so
easy-listening” song “World of Stone” that wins you
over in time.
Highlight: The limited edition of “The Village Lanterne”
will include a cover of “Street of Dreams” with Joe Lynn
Turner on lead vocals.
Sakis Nikas, Rockpages.gr Review
Since Blackmore's Night was launched in 1997 it has clearly divided
Blackmore's fan base. Some of the old Purple and Rainbow fans have
bemoaned the lack of electric guitar, whilst others revelled in
Ritchie's new found passion for the acoustic. Whilst this, the fifth
Blackmore's Night studio album is hardly a Deep Purple In Rock or a
Rainbow Rising, it is without doubt the rockiest record that Ritchie
has yet made with his partner Candice Night and might well find favour
with those who have previously ignored Blackmore's Night.
In fact the opening track aside, that features Blackmore on the
hurdy-gurdy, in keeping with recent concerts there is a distinct move
away from the Renaissance based music that was the initial inspiration
for the group. This album is largely a mixture of pop and rock styles
rather than anything representative of the sixteenth century.
There are certainly indications that Ritchie's composing abilities may
have temporarily dried up: There are two covers in St Teresa and
Streets Of London, plus remakes of his own compositions, Mond Tanz,
Child In Time and Street Of Dreams, and an adaptation of yet another
Geyers track (All Voll) on World Of Stone. Plus it can also be said
that as so often in the past, Blackmore returns to ideas and styles
previously explored. The Messenger is a fine instrumental but very much
in the same vein as Beyond The Sunset, whilst Faerie Queen is the
latest version of Play Minstrel Play or Queen For A Day.
But the production and delivery is a vast improvement on the previous
album and the playing is as good as ever. For the rock fans, tracks
such as I Guess It Doesn't Matter & St Teresa are not that far
removed from early 80s Rainbow and Street Of Dreams as sung by Candice
does justice to the track with her voice highly suited for that
particular song. Streets Of London lacks the gravity of Ralph McTell's
original, and given that you are likely to hear it played by second
rate folkies in pubs and clubs throughout the land it's a puzzling
choice for inclusion. But that aside, the album is a strong collection
of songs that perfectly blends acoustic and electric playing from
Blackmore in approximately equal measures. Those who crave another In
Rock or Rising will obviously be disappointed with the end results. But
for those of us who appreciate and realise that Blackmore is highly
unlikely to ever produce work of that style again, if he continues to
put out albums like The Village Lanterne I for one will be more than
happy to embrace them.
25 years since I woke up trembling
25 years since that terrible dream
I could see that the world was crumbling
Nothing is ever as it seems
Tried to run but my feet were frozen
Tried to scream but there was no sound
In my head voices echoing
Girl you should know better by now
*Long ago, Far away…
In the mist of yesterday
And you tried so hard to save me
How do you save someone from themselves
All those years, wasted wishes
Drowning in the wishing well…
25 years since I woke up trembling
25 years since that terrible dream
I could see that the world was crumbling
Nothing is ever as it seems
Olde Village Lanterne
Don't shed a tear for me
I stand alone
This path of destiny
Is all my own
Once in the hands of fate
There is no choice
An echo on the wind
You'll hear my voice...
Some choose to fall behind
Some choose to lead
Some choose a golden path
Laden with greed
But it’s the noble heart
That makes you strong
And in that heart, I'm with you all along...
*The olde village lanterne
Is calling me onward
Leading wherever I roam
The olde village lanterne
A light in the dark
Bringing me closer to home...
So when you think of me
Do so with pride
Honor and bravery
Ruled by my side
And in your memory
I will remain
I will forever be within the flame...
Now at the journey's end
We've traveled far
And all we have to show
Are battle scars
But in the love we shared
We will transcend
And in that love, our journey never ends...
I Guess It Doesnt Matter Anymore
Standing in the rain
The cold and angry rain
In a long white dress
A girl without a name
She stood beneath the light
Glowing like a candle bright
I guess it doesn’t matter anymore
I pulled along the side
And offered her a ride
Like the rolling mist she floated inside
As we pulled away
She had nothing to say
So I guess it doesn’t matter anymore
*I believe something’s can’t be explained
They are hidden in the mist and in the silver rain…
The road was long
It ran on
When I heard her singing her silent song
I knew the melody
From my memory
But I guess it Doesn’t Matter Anymore
Finally she spoke
Come pull off the road
Saying she was headin’ home
I turned and she was gone
I was all alone
So I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
As I turned away
No reason to stay
She had faded back into the grey
A whisper in the trees
You could hear it in the breeze
Say I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
The Messenger
Instrumantal.
World Of Stone
Bring to me all of my arrows
Bring to me my crossbow too
I fear we might need them both
Before the night is through
Once a world of glittering hope
This world is not the world we knew
The only light left to shine
Is between me and you
*On our own
In a World of Stone
We are not alone
I had once believed in angels
They were everywhere I looked
A gentle hand guiding me
To give more than I took
But I have died a thousand times
Watching all these angels fall
Their lonely eyes haunt me still
We will avenge them all
*Bring me mead and bring me ale
To help us face this fight again
Good fortune will shine down on us
Together we will win
And they will never break our spirit
We will never turn and run
And we will rise stronger still
When we stand as one!
Faerie Queen
Over on the hill
There grows a flower
Growing quicker still
More perfect by the hour
Deep within that flower
Is a tiny chair
All a-fringed with gold
The fairy queen sits there…
It is in her breath
That the wind does blow
It is in her heart
As pure as winter snow
It is in her tears
Crystal raindrops fall
And within her years
That she is in us all…
*Oh dark eyes
Help me see
Just one look
She is gone
Look on me
We are one
Fading with the setting sun…
As the willow bows
To her majesty
All the forest flowers
Love her mystery
Who would not admire
Who could not adore
Who does not desire
Who wishes to see more?
St. Teresa
Sit down on the corner, just a little climb
When I make my money, got to get my dime
Sit down with her baby, wind is full of trash
She bold as the street light, dark and sweet as hash
Way down in the hollow, leavin' so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
Reach down for the sweet stuff, when she looks at me
I know any man sees you like I see
Follow down the side street movin' single file
That's where I'll hold you, sleeping like a child
Way down in the hollow, leavin' so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
Just what I've been needin', feel it rise in me
She say...
Every stone a story, like a rosary
Corner St. Teresa, just a little crime
When I make my money, got to get my dime
Way down in the hollow, leavin' so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
Village Dance
Instrumantal.
Mond Tanz / Child In Time
Mond Tanz:
Coming soon!
Child in Time: Sweet child in time you'll see the line
The line that's drawn between the good and the bad
See the blind man shooting at the world
Bullets flying taking toll
If you've been bad, Lord I bet you have
And you've been hit by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes and bow your head
And wait for the ricochet
Streets Of London
Have you seen the old man
In the closed down market
Kicking up the paper,
With his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
Hands held loosely at his side
Yesterdays paper telling yesterdays news
So how can you tell me youre lonely
And say for you that the sun dont shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
Shes no time for talking
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
So how can you tell me youre lonely
And say for you that the sun dont shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
In the hall night café
At a quarter past eleven,
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his teacup
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone
So how can you tell me youre lonely
And say for you that the sun dont shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old man
Outside the Seamans Mission
Memory fading with the medal that he wears
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesnt care
So how can you tell me youre lonely
And say for you that the sun dont shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
Just Call My Name (I'll Be There)
So many nights I sat here waiting
There were times I couldn’t go on
Still my heart was anticipating
It made me be strong
Made me hold on…
There were some calling me crazy
I’ve been accused of being naïve
But I don’t need no one to save me
Cause I got you, you make me believe
*I’ll Be There in the night when you need me
Just call my name
I’ll be there close your eyes and you’ll see me
Just Call My Name
I don’t need to know the answers
I don’t want to understand
We were born to take the chances
I know the truth when you hold my hand…
I had waited a lifetime lost on the open sea
Praying for an angel to be sent to me
Now the night don’t last forever
Every moment is a song
Cause we face the night together
Something so right could never be wrong
Olde Mill Inn
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
We'll laugh and dance and sing
We'll drink all day and Bill will pay
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
The ships are sailing in,
We'll drink a toast with Judy our host
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
* The moon is full, the bar is too, when we come to town
We'll have a beer, cause Jerry's here, so spread the cheer around....
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
The bartenders name is Kim
And with a smile she'll serve in style
Down at the Olde Mill Inn...
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
We'll laugh and dance and sing
We'll drink all day and Bill will pay
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
We'll laugh and dance and sing
We'll drink and play the hours away...
Down at the Olde Mill Inn..
Windmills
Far from the worn path of reason
Further away from the sane
He battles his shadows and demons
Fighting to light the way
And the dust and the dirt cloud his vision
Onward he rides unafraid
He fights the good fight for good reason
A star that refuses to fade
Still he braves his path…
Windmills only laugh
She was wounded and wild when he found her
He saw her through child’s eyes
She fell for the spell he was under
Each day a brand new surprise
And she watches with strange curiosity
She wants so much to believe
Hoping to break the chains of reality
Dying to set herself free
*
Though he may appear tattered and broken
His clothes are shabby and bare
Still he glows like the flame of a candle
With passion of one who still cares
There was always a rhyme to the reason
Peering out from tired eyes
The truth finally came in treason
So wrong, but so justified…
So wrong but so justified…
Windmills close their eyes…
Street Of Dreams
I heard the sound of voices in the night,
Spell bound there was someone calling,
I looked around no on was sight
Pulled down I just kept on falling
I've seen this place before
You were standing by my side
I've seen your face before tonight
Maybe I just see what I want to be
I know it's a mystery
Do you remember me on a street of dreams,
Running through my memory
On the street of dreams
There you stood a distant memory
So good like we never parted
Said to myself I knew you'd set me free
And here we are right back where we started
Something's come over me
And I don't know what to feel
Maybe this fantasy is real
Now it's still a mystery
Do you remember me on a street of dreams,
Running through my memory
On the street of dreams
You are on every face I see
On the street of dreams
Tell me have you always been
On the street of dreams
Will we ever meet again my friend
Do you know just who you'll see do ya
On the street of dreams
You can be who you want to be oh yeh
I can hear you calling me
I can feel you haunting me
Haunting me