Under a Violet Moon

Under a Violet Moon

Track Listings

1. Under a Violet Moon

2. Castles and Dreams

3. Past Time With Good Company

4. Morning Star

5. Avalon

6. Possum Goes to Prague

7. Wind in the Willows

8. Gone With the Wind

9. Beyond the Sunset

10. March the Heroes Home

11. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)

12. Catherine Howard's Fate

13. Fool's Gold

14. Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus

15. Now and Then

16. Self Portrait

Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time with Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone with the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Customer Reviews:

"No, we're not gonna do Stonehenge...".......2007-07-08

During the first moments of the opening track, I thought "Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, 'Lather' from 'Crown of Creation'"...

Then the hand-clapping and the "HEYs!" began and visions of Spinal Tap and a Stonehenge that was in danger of being trampled by a dwarf filled my fevered brain...

Then I thought of Patton Oswalt's ongoing "Reno 911" character...the Renaissance Faire guy. I know it's Ritchie Blackmore on guitar but all I could visualize was Patton Oswalt.

Then I thought about Ritchie Blackmore and the excellent "California Jam: Deep Purple Live In California 74" DVD, and that scene at the end of "Space Truckin'" where he plays his Strat with his foot and proceeds to obliterate his Marshall stack, one of the TV cameras, the Strat itself, and pretty much anyone witnessing the event.

Then I imagined attending a Blackmore's Night concert in 2007 and after an hour and a half of being lulled to a restless slumber by the medievally numbing tones of fair damsel Candice, finding out that the encore would be "Smoke On The Water" as played on a lute with pan pipe accompaniment and I woke up screaming, only to find that I was safe at my computer keyboard and in the process of writing my Amazon review for "Under A Violet Moon."

Track after track after oxcart-driven track, this album keeps advancing, like a bustle in the hedgerow or a spring clean for the May Queen. 16 tracks later, I got out my copy of Motörhead's "Everything Louder Than Everything Else" and allowed the reassuring sonic warmth of "I'm So Bad, Baby I Don't Care" to envelop me like a comforting shroud.

I somehow sense that I will receive the highest number of "I did not find this review helpful" ratings in the history of Amazon. That's OK. If I have to choose between Bilbo Baggins or Lemmy Kilmister, I've made my choice. Flame away, if ye must. That's right...I said "YE." With revels and with wassails make grief and care our vassals, Fa-la!

Oy VEY. Gimme a break. Who LISTENS to this stuff?

Fairport Convention pretty much did what Blackmore's Night is doing, and they did it first, and they did it better. For those of you who want to sing the praises of the lovely Candice Night, I have two words for you:

"Sandy Denny."

Ritchie! I know you've had a hard time in the past getting along with others, but is this really the way you intend to spend the rest of your life? While you're peacefully plucking "Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus," do you sometimes get the urge to drag the Strat out of mothballs and let 'er rip? Remember how Ian Paice used to kick off the intro to "Fireball" and you'd come in a couple of seconds later like a freight train with that bruising speed boogie riff? You're REALLY OK with trading that for "Possum Goes to Prague?"

You wore the Deep Purple guys out...read the liner notes and watch the interviews from the "Montreux" collections that have been released in the last couple of years. They're very happy without you, and Steve Morse plays all of your old licks at least as well as you did. But maybe you could call up Coverdale and Hughes and do a "Burn Anniversary Tour" or something. Maybe after R.J.D. gets finished with the "Heaven And Hell" Sabbath tour you could put Rainbow back together. Just one tour and a live album. Is that asking too much? Do you remember "Long Live Rock And Roll?" Were you LYING to us? Did you REALLY mean "Long Live 16th Century Madrigals?" NO! You said it! Long Live ROCK AND ROLL!"

Remember that riff from "Man On The Silver Mountain?" That's YOUR riff! You WROTE it! Don't you EVER want to play it again on stage with 50 gazillion people screaming and cheering when you hit those first notes?

Ritchie! You're RITCHIE BLACKMORE! Come ON! How can you NOT want to be RITCHIE BLACKMORE again?

Blackmore's Night "Under a Violet Moon".......2007-06-29

Nice change of pace for Richie. I stumbled upon this tour and it was just an incredible sound! Very solid collection of tunes!

A new standard in modern folk renaisance music.......2007-03-08

I've been a fan of Richie Blackmore since I returned from my Vietnam combat experience. I have always been 'awed' by his arrangements and how he delivers. There are many musicians with incredible talent out there and I strayed being captivated by Steve Hackett, David Arkenstone and Chris Spheeris. Although, I am still a huge fan of these 3 musicians, in recently being turned on to Blackmmores Night, I have rediscovered my roots with Richie and his current music effort. This CD is the epitamy of the Richie's energy, I like so much and gets far more listening time than the others. However, I listen to all of his CD's a LOT.

SOLID.......2006-09-14

Another solid effort by Ritchie Blackmore. The track "Under a Violet Moon" is top of the line. I will say that I much prefer the more energetic version of it which is on the DVD. Ditto with "Wind in the Willow". But how cool is "Durch"? Or "Beyond the Sunset"?. Gotta love those instrumentals!!! Not that I have anything against Candy's smooth, yet unremarkable voice.....

I Hate To Admit It..........2006-03-19

but the cheese factor here is seriously high. This is the perfect music for a gaggle of aging hippies and their wannabe progeny to dance to at a morning Moonrise. Unlike other reviewers, I'm NOT impressed with the musicianship on this album. Now that Blackmore's found his soulmate, his music's turned giddy and touchy-feelie and happy and it's completely lost its creative forcefulness - the Billy Joel syndrome (anyone remember "Uptown Girl"?) Gone are the tour de force of Lazy and Child In Time and Black Night, and it has nothing to do with Heavy Metal vs. Modern Renaissance. When Blackmore was with DP, and even with Rainbow, he came up with music no one had heard before. He created a style anyone could identify after 10 notes, and inspired countless guitarists because of his creative brilliance. Now is the fall of that great guitar inspiration. The solos on Violet Moon are uncreative, pure and simple. Any gifted high school kid could write them. And while Candice has a beautiful voice, she's just another instrument for Blackmore to orchestrate. Regardless of how well she hits a note or sustains a melody, a mediocre Blackmore can only result in a mediocre Candice. And really, the lyrics - - cheese.

Violet Moon will appeal to a small niche audience. If you enjoy true Renaissance music, there are countless ensembles that do it far better. If you're a fan of Blackmore and want to hear the legend push the envelope in stirring new directions, stop and listen to the old stuff before you're sorely disappointed. This is no Clapton. But if you enjoy pseudo-Renaissance music played in a modern style, and can get over the cheese factor with Candice's singing and the lyrics, you probably will not be disappointed with this album. Without a doubt, there are some catchy tunes here. Besides, a mediocre Blackmore is still far better than most other stuff out there.

It is Blackmore, after all.

Average customer rating:

Tight and polished.
medieval period was very beautiful.
Blackmore...Better than ever!
Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?
Not the "real thing" but good anyway

Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night
Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time With Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone With the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Album Description

Japanese edition of the former Rainbow guitarist's 1999 solo album in packaging limited to the initial pressing only, a thick standard jewel case in a full color slipcase with an extra booklet packed with full color pictures of Blackmore & his significant other, Candice Night. 16 tracks.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Limited Edition Packaging for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

Tight and polished........2003-07-09

Once "Under a Violet Moon" made it into my CD player, it didn't want to leave. Although there are a few throw-away tunes here, the album overall is quite excellent. Blackmore's Night has filled the CD with less familiar traditionals and several very good original pieces. Even the traditionals are cunningly arranged to elicit a fresh sound, with just enough modern influences to set the band apart from the crowd.

medieval period was very beautiful........2001-06-03

Many people loved him during his period with Deep Purple and Rainbow. Ritchie Blackmore is an awesome personality, his music, his lyric and his musically charismatic conquered the heart of the rock fans in the 70's and 80's. And now He joins Ms. Candice Night on this pretty medieval album. The result is a huge fascination...the trip to the old medieval time/renaissance era. Miss Night is a very sweet girl and has a good voice. The songs like Past time with good company, durch den wald zum Bach haus, Under a violet moon reminding us on the classical 16th Baroque century. The musical composition on this cd were helped by some german classical experts, Ritchie has known in the good old Deutschland. Ritchie Blackmore is always my favourite guitar player of all time. See ya on your next tour in the old Heidelberg in July, Ritchie!

Blackmore...Better than ever!.......2001-05-14

I have listened to both Blackmore's Night CD's, and think that this is the best ever. It's great for listening to on long car journey's. I can't wait for the third album, and will get it as soon as it comes out.

Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?.......2001-03-14

Ok, no offense to all of the Deep Purple/Ritchie Blackmore/Rainbow fans out there, really. My husband is the biggest Blackmore fan, so when he said that he wanted this CD for his birthday, I of course obliged.

I couldn't believe my ears when he popped the disc in. Hence my title of "Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?" I have been subjected to Blackmore's priors for years, and needless to say, I am NOW a fan!!! This is a long distance from his usual metal style.

I hate to admit it, but I want this CD now. I'm going to have to fight the husband for it. The acoustic on here merely adds to his lengthy list of talents, both solo and w/the various bands he's been with.

I eagerly await the next Blackmore's Night purchases I am about to make. For a not so huge Blackmore Fan...it's FANTASTIC!!

Not the "real thing" but good anyway.......2000-09-16

Those who say this album has nothing to do with real medieval/renaissance music aren't completely wrong. There are medieval, renaissance and folk music influences but they are quite shallow, and the music is very much pop. But I don't care about that because I like this album.
The songs are extremely catchy, I was almost able to sing along when I was listening to the album for the first time. At first I wasn't sure if this was good or bad, I thought that maybe they'll start sounding annoying soon. But I still like them so I guess they're catchy in a good way. Just like many medieval minnelieder are catchy and hummable. Some of the songs are obviously folk tunes but I'm not sure which because there weren't composer credits in my copy (I recognized one Russian folk song - with instrumental parts that sound like "Final Countdown" by Europe!). At the moment my favorite is a happy tune called "Wind in the Willows".
Perhaps the best thing on the album is Candice Night's lovely voice. The least good thing is the use of synthesizers and electric drums instead if "real" instruments. I'm not a synth hater at all but they just don't sound good in this kind of music.
I haven't listened to Ritchie Blackmore's work with Deep Purple or Rainbow but after this I certainly will. For those who'd like to listen to the "real thing" I recommend Walter von der Vogelweide's minnelieder as well as John Dowland's lute songs. And The King's Singers' albums of renaissance madrigals (Madrigal History Tour) and folk songs (Watching the White Wheat).

Average customer rating:

Under a Violet Moon

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JNRE
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

Under A Violet Moon
Castles And Dreams
Past Time With A Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes To Prague
Wind In The Willows
Gone With The Wind
Beyond The Sunset
March The Heroes Home
Spanish Nights(I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now And Then
Self Portrait

Album Description

HDCD edition of the Japanese edition of the former Rainbow guitarist's 1999 solo album with completely different cover art targeted for classical music buyers. 16 tracks. 1999 release.

Average customer rating:

Tight and polished.
medieval period was very beautiful.
Blackmore...Better than ever!
Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?
Not the "real thing" but good anyway

Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night
Manufacturer: Steamhammer
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000028DYS
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time With Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone With the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Album Description

1999 outing from duo comprised of former Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore & his significant other, Candice Night, who provides vocals & plays the pennywhistle. 16 tracks.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Limited Edition Packaging for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

Tight and polished........2003-07-09

medieval period was very beautiful........2001-06-03

Blackmore...Better than ever!.......2001-05-14

Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?.......2001-03-14

I eagerly await the next Blackmore's Night purchases I am about to make. For a not so huge Blackmore Fan...it's FANTASTIC!!

Not the "real thing" but good anyway.......2000-09-16

Average customer rating:

Tight and polished.
medieval period was very beautiful.
Blackmore...Better than ever!
Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?
Not the "real thing" but good anyway

Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night
Manufacturer: Pony Canyon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JAQ6
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time With Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone With the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Album Description

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Limited Edition Packaging for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

Tight and polished........2003-07-09

medieval period was very beautiful........2001-06-03

Blackmore...Better than ever!.......2001-05-14

Are you sure this is Ritchie Blackmore?.......2001-03-14

I eagerly await the next Blackmore's Night purchases I am about to make. For a not so huge Blackmore Fan...it's FANTASTIC!!

Not the "real thing" but good anyway.......2000-09-16

Average customer rating:

Shadow of the Moon is better
the old medieval classical tunes touch my soul!
The ABBA Factor...
ENCHANTED
I Can't Believe My Ears

Under a Violet Moon
Blackmore's Night
Manufacturer: Steamhammer/SPV
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ghost of a Rose
Fires at Midnight
The Village Lanterne
Shadow of the Moon
Beyond the Sunset: The Romantic Collection

ASIN: B00000JJU0
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

Under a Violet Moon
Castles and Dreams
Past Time with Good Company
Morning Star
Avalon
Possum Goes to Prague
Wind in the Willows
Gone with the Wind
Beyond the Sunset
March the Heroes Home
Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
Catherine Howard's Fate
Fool's Gold
Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus
Now and Then
Self Portrait

Customer Reviews:

Shadow of the Moon is better.......2003-01-28

But Under A Violet Moon is still far better than the tripe we get fed day in and day out on the radio. Ritchie is the king, and Candice has an enchanting voice. I can listen to their music day after day and never get bored with it.

the old medieval classical tunes touch my soul!.......2002-04-05

OH! the tunes touch my soul & heart if I listen to Maestro Blackmore guitar riffs and the pretty voice of Miss Candice Night.

Many people loved him during his period with Deep Purple and Rainbow. Ritchie Blackmore is an awesome personality, his music, his lyric and his
musically charismatic conquered the heart of the rock fans in the 70's and 80's. And now He joins Ms. Candice Night on this pretty medieval album. The
result is a huge fascination...the trip to the old medieval time/renaissance era. Miss Night is a very sweet girl and has a good voice. The songs like Past
time with good company, durch den wald zum Bach haus, Under a violet moon reminding us on the classical 16th Baroque century. The musical
composition on this cd were helped by some german classical experts, Ritchie has known in the good old Deutschland. Ritchie Blackmore is always my
favourite guitar player of all time. See ya on your next tour in the old Heidelberg in July, Ritchie!

The ABBA Factor..........2002-03-24

Compared to Blackmore's Night's stunning debut, "Shadow of the Moon", this album is a bit of a disappointment. Overall there is too much of a soft sappyness to too many of the songs; the result being that this effort has more in common with Abba than Renaissance music, medieval music, or folk music. If you LIKE Abba, that's not a problem; if Abba isn't your cup of tea, then this could be problematic. By now you may have correctly assumed I am not a big Abba fan...that said, the songs which break out of the "Abba" mold are quite good, namely, the title track (great church organ solo in the middle!), Catherine Howard's Fate (very traditional tune-one of those transporters-to-previous-centuries-songs), Beyond the Sunset (I can just see ducks flying over the marsh at sunset), Possum Goes to Prague (precise, intricate instrumental), Durch Dem Wald Zum Bach Haus (has a Fall-Oktoberfest-German Beer Pub-sound), Self-Portrait (remake of the Rainbow song-much better than the original), and Gone With the Wind (AMAZING electric guitar solo comes flying in out of nowhere!). The only other song of note is "Wind in the Willows", where a male singing voice contrasts nicely with Candice's, but the lyrics are childish and silly. The rest of the album is a bunch of nondescript, soft, syrupy-sweet sappy songs which all sound too similar to each other. Fortunately Blackmore took a step back in the right direction on "Fires at Midnight" which is much more hard-hitting and energetic, and even the softer songs are palatable and some of them even grow on you. If you are new to Blackmore's Night, you should pick up a copy of "Shadow of the Moon" or Fires at Midnight" before buying "Under a Violet Moon". If, on the other hand, you are an Abba fan...

ENCHANTED.......2001-12-09

GOTTA LOVE ALL OF BLACKMORES NIGHT ALBUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!! WONDERFUL MUSIC. HIGHLEY RECCOMMEND IT OFR ANYONE WHO WISHES THEY LIVED IN MIDEVIL TIMES.

I Can't Believe My Ears.......2001-09-19

McCartney had Linda. Lennon had Yoko. Springsteen had Patti. St. Hubbins had Jeanine. Now, apparently, Blackmore has Candice - Candice Night, as in “Blackmore’s Night” - to securely and completely sap him of both his creative juices and his common sense. The 1999 Ritchie Blackmore's Night release entitled “Under a Violet Moon” is so bad that it is literally laughable. I’m not kidding - I guffawed several times. If “This is Spinal Tap” had been about Ritchie Blackmore they could have replaced the beginning of “Stone Henge” with just about any similarly sized chunk from this CD (e.g., with lutes in the foreground, “Dancing to the feel of the drum. Leave this world behind. We’ll have a drink and toast to ourselves. Under a violet moon.” Just add “for fear that daybreak might come . . . to soon,” and you’re there!). The first clue should have been the liner notes, which point out that Candice (yes, she’s attractive . . . and she and Ritchie are the only “band members”) not only sings, but also plays “pennywhistle.” You have to wait until Track 8 to hear the Blackmore-esque lead on the album. But Ritchie. Ritchie, Ritchie, Ritchie: an 8 second lead in the 8th track does a release make. At least you gave us the closing track - a new age, acoustic version of “Self Portrait.” It was [not very good] in comparison to the original, but I welcomed it with open arms after hearing the other 15 tracks on this "product." Love is a many splendored thing, Ritchie, and, sure, some of us are even jealous that you’ve so obviously found it. However, please, please, please, keep it at home! Your musical genius was nearly beyond compare when you were a sad, Satan worshiping enigma. Now, Oh. My. God. I shake my head in disbelief! In closing, and since I was once taught that you have to find at least good thing to say in any review: (i) the album cover would have made a great blacklight poster on my wall when I was in high school; and (ii) at least this particular listen caused me to purchase “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow,” for the purpose of having the “Self Portrait” at my fingertips when needed. H. Graham