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Blackmore's Night: Winter Carols

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: AFM Records
Released: 2006.10.07
Time:
 42:37
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Pat Regan
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.blackmoresnight.com
Appears with: Deep Purple
Purchase date: 2008.08.22
Price in €: 7,50



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Come All Ye Faithful (Traditional) - 3:50
[2] I Saw Three Ships (Traditional) - 2:40
[3] Winter [Basse Dance] (R.Blackmore) - 3:07
[4] Ding Dong Merrily on High (Traditional) - 3:16
[5] Ma-O-Tzur (Traditional) - 2:19
[6] Good King Wenceslas (Traditional) - 4:44
[7] Lord of the Dance/Simple Gifts (J.Brackett/S.Carter) - 3:34
[8] We Three Kings (Traditional) - 4:48
[9] Wish Your Were Here (Teijo) - 5:02
[10] Emmanuel (Traditional) - 3:32
[11] Christmas Eve (R.Blackmore/C.Night) - 4:20
[12] We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Traditional) - 1:21

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Ritchie Blackmore - Guitar, Percussion, Arranger, Hurdygurdy, Mandola, Nyckelharpa
Candice Night - Recorder, Vocals, Penny Whistle, Shawm, Harmony Vocals, Harmony

Pat Regan - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Orchestration, Orchestral Arrangements

Robin Holler - Photography
Michael Keel - Video Producer
André Schmitt - Photography
Karsten Topelmann - Paintings

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s

 
2006 CD Locomotive 377
2006 CD AFM 008
2007 CD Minstrel Hall 008
2006 CD Sorcerer 81009

The name Ritchie Blackmore should require no introduction. After years of leading both Deep Purple and his subsequent band Rainbow to the lofty heights of Rock Royalty, Ritchie Blackmore grew tired with what he viewed as formulaic and restrictive material. He formed a new project along with his significant other, vocalist Candice Night, and called it Blackmore`s Night. "Winter Carols" features familiar favorites, new songs including "Christmas Eve" and even their unique interpretation of The Rednex "Wish You Were Here". Each track is a magical, velvety blend of lush orchestral arrangements, organic Renaissance instruments, guitar mastery and ethereal vocals. Listening to "Winter Carols" is like sitting next to a roaring fire with a glass of cherry brandy as the crystalline snow blankets the earth outside. Let Blackmore's Night be a part of your holiday fantasy!

Ritchie Blackmore is one of the very few great guitarists who display musical genius, individuality and integrity in equally large parts. Within his bands Deep Purple and Rainbow he frequently displayed his liking for medieval music, expertly combining medieval inflections with hard rock and thus developing a guitar style that is truly unique. In the mid-1990s, Blackmore took a musical step which seemed perfectly logical to his countless fans: he founded the "renaissance rock" band, Blackmore's Night, together with his partner, the vocalist Candice Night. This seven piece band, surely, is the ultimate expression of Ritchie's unique musical ability and his fascination for medieval music. Now, Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore are turning another of their dreams into reality: they are releasing their first and long-awaited Christmas album. Candice and Ritchie have always loved the spirit of winter: with its memories of good friends and families sitting around the fireplace, and the spirit of the holidays, the world seems to be a more forgiving gentle one, and people join with those they love. It evokes festivities and bright candlelight, and music that was sung and performed for hundreds of years by minstrels of the Middle Ages - many of these songs still emerge today during the winter season. This is Candice and Ritchie's interpretation of many favourite carols, shared, performed and enjoyed for the past 400 years.



Ever wonder what Christmas carols sounded like back in time when the finest form of transportation was by horse and wearing armor was a hip fashion statement? Well then, the second release of 2006 by Blackmore's Night, Winter Carols, may offer some insight. As with their previous efforts, the music on Winter Carols is of the Renaissance-inspired folk variety. And while the majority of the songs are traditional compositions, there are also a few originals, including "Winter (Basse Dance)," which includes some simply gorgeous acoustic guitar doodling by once Fender Strat/Marshall amp abuser Blackmore. Elsewhere, songs such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing/Come All Ye Faithful" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" would sound splendid sung around the campfire -- if it were still the 15th century. Unfortunately, a rendition of the Chipmunks' "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is not included.

Greg Prato - All Music Guide



"Die Weihnachtszeit bringt immer so viel Fröhlichkeit, Liebe und Frieden mit sich. Wir haben versucht, diese Stimmung in unserer Musik einzufangen."

Ich muss da irgend etwas falsch machen, denn Weihnachtszeit bedeutet bei mir eigentlich lediglich, sich in überfüllten Innenstädten die Beine in den Bauch zu latschen, um Geschenke für die Allerliebsten aufzutreiben, die schließlich doch nicht so goutiert werden, wie ich mir das vorher erhofft habe.

Blackmore, Candice machen es sich mit Pauken und Trompeten unterm Weihnachtsbaum gemütlich, flöten uns liebliche Weisen ins Ohr und packen ein riesiges Päckchen schon vor dem eigentlichen Feiertag aus. Aus diesem entschlüpft ein monströser Koloss namens Pathos, der - obwohl in rosaroten Plüsch gekleidet - den Ahnungslosen mit salbungsvollem Kitsch ordentlich eins überbrät. Man kann seine Hörer auch totkuscheln. Es regiert der Flausch mit sanfter Keule. Das Rednex-Cover "Wish You Were Here" kennt man ja schon zur Genüge, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" dudelt ebenfalls in jedem Kaufhaus. So schippern Blackmore's Night mit diesen Aufnahmen verdächtig hart am Muzak-Wind entlang.

Was eine CD, die mehr oder weniger mit Weihnachtsklamauk angefüllt ist, im Kontext mit den beiden leidenschaftlichen Spiritisten bzw. Okkultisten soll, beantworten diese selbst. "Die Kirche versuchte diese Songs zu verbieten, weil sie nicht heilig waren. Das meiste der Musik und der Texte drehte sich ums Trinken, Spaß haben und Ausschweifungen. So änderte die Kirche einfach die Texte, statt die Musik zu verbieten."

Cool. Geschichtsunterricht in Sachen Weihnachtslieder. Also handelten die Weisen damals Anno Tobak nicht davon, die Familie unter Bäumchen zu versammeln und andächtig dem Herrn zu danken? Ging es also eher nach dem Motto von Walther von der Vogelweide zu: "Under der linden an der heide, dâ unser zweier bette was ..?

Falls die beiden die Songs nur wegen der hübschen Melodien auf Band bannten, weshalb machen sie sich nicht auch die Mühe, die Originalversionen, oder was sie dafür halten, wiederzugeben? Da bleibt einem nur die Flucht in Instrumentals, die allerdings schön anzuhören sind. Wenn Herr Blackmore die Akustische bearbeitet, klingt das gewohnt gefühlvoll gekonnt und akzentuiert.

Wenn aber Candice was von 'dingdong' singt, kann ich dem nicht mehr so richtig folgen und klinke mich aus. Von den Vocal-Songs überzeugt einzig "We Three Kings", Ritchies Qualitäten als Saitenzauberer kommen besonders in "Winter (Brass Dance") zum Tragen. Des weiteren herrscht puderzuckerne Glückstüdeligkeit. Aber noch einmal: "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" geht gar nicht.

© 1998-2008 LAUT AG
 

 L y r i c s

      

Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Come All Ye Faithful

Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
G-d and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim Peace has come to Bethlehem
Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
Glory to the newborn King

Hail by highest heaven adored
Hail the everlasting Lord
Light and life to all he brings
Here with healing in his wings
Mild he lay his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Bringing hope to all the land
Peace to every child and man
Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
Glory to the newborn king

Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels
Come let us adore him
Come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
He is the Lord!

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to G-d
Glory in the highest
Come let us adore him
Come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
He is the Lord


I saw three ships

I Saw Three Ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
Saw Three Ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning

And whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
And whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas Day in the morning

They sailed into Bethelehem
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
They sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas Day in the morning

And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas Day in the morning

And all the souls on Earth shall sing
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
And all the souls on Earth shall sing
On Christmas Day in the morning


Then let us all rejoice again
On Christmas Day On Christmas Day
Let us all rejoice again
On Christmas Day in the morning

Winter (Basse Dance)

Instrumental.


Ding Dong Merrily On High

Ding Dong Merrily On High
The Christmas bells are ringing
Ding Dong joyously reply
The angels all a'singing
Gloria, Hosana In Excelsis

Ding Dong carol all the bells
Ring out the Christmas story
Ding Dong sound the good noels
G-d's son has come in glory
Gloria, Hosana In Excelsis

Ding Dong Merrily On High
The Christmas bells are ringing
Ding Dong joyously reply
The angels all a'singing
Gloria, Hosana In Excelsis


Ma-O-Tzur

(1st part in Hebrew)

Rock of ages
Crown this praise
Light and songs to you we raise
Our will you strengthen
To fight for our redemption
Our will you strengthen
To fight for our redemption
We celebrate with hymn and praise
Festive candles to you we raise
We celebrate with hymn and praise
Festive candles we celebrate


Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel

"Hither page and stand by me
If thou knowst it telling
Yonder peasant who is he
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By St Agnes Fountain"

Bring me bread and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When be bear them thither
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather

In his masters steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore all you men be sure
Wealth or rank posessing
He who now shall bless the poor
Shall yourselves find Blessing


Lord Of The Dance / Simple Gifts

I danced in the morning when the world had begun
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth

Dance then where ever you may be
"I am the Lord of the Dance" said he
"And I'll lead you all whever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the dance said he

Tis a gift to be simple tis a gift to be free
Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
We'll be in the valley of love and delight

Dance then where ever you may be
"I am the Lord of the Dance" said he
"And I'll lead you all whever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the dance said he

When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend we shant be ashamed
To turn to turn will be our delight
Till be turning we come round right

Dance then where ever you may be
"I am the Lord of the Dance" said he
"And I'll lead you all whever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the dance said he

I danced in the morning when the world had begun
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth


We Three Kings

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light


Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here...
Me, oh, my country man,
Wish You Were Here...
I Wish You Were Here...
Don't you know, the snow is getting colder,
And I miss you like hell,
And I'm feeling blue...
I've got feelings for you,
Do you still feel the same?
From the first time I laid my eyes on you,
I felt joy of living,
I saw heaven in your eyes...
In your eyes...
Wish you were here...
Me, oh, my country man,
Wish You Were Here...
I Wish You Were Here...
Don't you know the snow is getting colder,
And I miss you like hell...
And I'm feeling blue...
I miss your laugh, I miss your smile,
I miss everything about you...
Every second's like a minute,
Every minute's like a day
When you're far away...
The snow is getting colder, baby,
I Wish You Were Here...
A battlefield of love and fear,
And I Wish You Were Here...
I've got feelings for you,
From the first time I laid my eyes on you...


Emmanuel

Instrumental.


Christmas Eve

Say goodbye to November
She must be on her way
The cold winds of December
Feel like they're here to stay
Me, I'll just count the snowflakes,
As they start to fall
Getting lost in the beauty
The magic of it all

And our eyes filled with wonder
As the reindeer take to flight

Its Christmas Eve
Bells will ring
Through the town we gather to sing
Christmas Eve has begun
Peace and Love to everyone

Light the festive candles
They'll chase the shadows away
Gathering round the Yule log
With handfuls of holly
WInter winds will whisper
Through the shivering pines
Never have the stars looked brighter than tonight

And our eyes filled with wonder
As the reindeer take to flight

Its Christmas Eve
Bells will ring
Through the town we gather to sing
Christmas Eve has begun
Peace and Love to everyone


We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good tidings to you and all of your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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