Minstrels & Ballads [Import]

Blackmore's Night | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 2, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Pony Canyon
• ASIN: B00006JNCN
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,892 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Times They Are A-Changin'

2. Spirit of the Sea

3. Fool's Gold

4. Again Someday

5. Fayre Thee Well

6. Greensleeves

7. Wish You Were Here

8. Mid-Winter's Night

9. Catherine Howard's Fate

10. Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus

11. Be Mine Tonight

12. Ocean Gypsy

13. Benzai-Ten

14. Now and Then

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD and Group, July 26, 2003

By 

Curt T. Stettler "boarat" (Livermore, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minstrels & Ballads (Audio CD)

Couldn't disagree more than the above reviewer, and who puts a disclaimer on their reveiw?

Blackmore is a genious and Candice Nights Vocals are incredible. The only reason I wouldn't buy this cd, is because I would recommend buying all of their studio cds. However if you want to hear what their like first, then by all means buy this cd.

BN is taking Europe by storm, I'm just sad that I can't say the same thing about America. Their new cd isn't even available here yet, and it's been out since June.

As to the CD, there are definate influences of the early Richie stuff, and also a more midevil flair. The music is uptempo and positive and well worth the investment.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recycled, December 1, 2001

By 

eveoflove (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minstrels & Ballads (Audio CD)

Made in JAP in 2001, Serial# PCCY-01536, Playing Time 50:19

Lyrics enclosed.

Perhaps someone can explain to me what's the real motivation behind the release of this album? This disc is basically a compilation of some softer tracks from the duo's (Ritchie Blackmore & Candice Night) 3 albums to date ("Shadow Of The Moon", "Under A Violet Moon" and "Fires At Midnight"). Trying to sell the earlier releases? I find it a bit pretentious...

Since this a japanese exclusive (at least at this point), you're better off buying the 3 albums for about the same total price.

The troubadour arrangements and performance of Ritchie, plus the almost-angelic voice of Candice Night make the whole thing quite charming; but there's nothing new on this disc: no "leftovers", no alternate versions, simply an attempt at a "best of". But considering the fairly deplorable commercial success of the collaboration, perhaps a budget-priced approach would have been more appropriate?

I suggest you pass up on this one.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rated on what it is "supposed to be", not "should've been", October 16, 2003

By 

"crabitus5150" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minstrels & Ballads (Audio CD)

This compilation is a wonderful mixture of the band Blackmore's Night. If any one is expecting this to sound like any previous Blackmore music, then they have been mislead.

The music is like that discribed above but it can be appreciated for what it is supposed to be.......Medievil/Renaissance/Soft Pop which has some of the same Enya-like lazy feel on some songs, and some great Rock-infulenced spirit to the music. Though, again, this is not a rock album.

When I first heard Blackmore's Night, I was expecting something awful and abstract, and I was surprised to find that it was abstract, but very captivating.

Greensleeves and The Times They Are A Changin' are some highlights and I do agree with the above positive reviewer, this is a great first "get-to-know-the-band" CD. They only thing that should give hesitation is the steep price. Fires At Midnight and Shadow Of The Moon are also good starters.

Remember, you should buy this with understanding and appreciation for what it is supposed to be. However, on a side note, fans of Blackmore will find some good guitar riffs and wonderful songwriting with many solos, even a traditional Blackmore solo here and there.