Customer Reviews

Past Times With Good Company

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One thing I always admired about Blackmore from his Deep Purple and Rainbow days was that he very rarely performed note-for-note carbon copies of the studio versions of the songs "live." He always added extra sections, alternate arrangements, different solos, etc. He carries on that tradition here, with the result being that in some cases the "live" versions are better and in some cases the studio versions are better. Some comments on some of the songs will help demonstrate what I mean. SHADOW OF THE MOON: What sound like eerie, melancholy keyboards (it may actually be Blackmore playing an electric guitar through some sort of weird effect as he does on the "Under a Violet Moon-Live" video where he produces the same type of sound during FIRES AT MIDNIGHT) leads into a verse from WRITTEN IN THE STARS. Blackmore strums and the rest of the band comes crashing in. The middle section of the song features more of those weird keyboards(guitar?) and features a longer acoustic solo than on the studio version. This is one of the highlights of this album, but I prefer the studio version more. PLAY MINSTREL PLAY: very well performed. I like the addition of the violin, but the keyboard solo replacing the Ian Anderson flute solo sounds strange and takes getting used to. PAST TIMES WITH GOOD COMPANY: Not only is this one of the best songs on this album, this version ranks right up there with the best all-time Blackmore's Night songs. It's amazing how the different treatment and different arrangement of a song can completely alter its appeal. The studio version is one of the weaker songs on "Under a Violet Moon" where it is performed and produced in a very bland, soft, fluffy, nondescript fashion. The "live" version has a melancholy traditional-sounding acoustic intro added with Candace singing backed by another female and male voice while Blackmore lays down some stunningly beautiful, intricate, melodic mandolin runs. Then, hard, pounding drums come in followed by a blast of horns and we are on our way to an incredible journey through time. This is 100% better than the studio version - much bolder, hard-hitting and with a rocking feel whereas the studio version sounds like soft bland pop. FIRES AT MIDNIGHT: The electric guitar solo of the studio version has been replaced by acoustic guitar where Blackmore plays a series of improvisations and variations on the basic melody. Although an interesting contrast, to these headbanging ears I still prefer the searing electric guitar solo of the studio version. In fact, the electric guitar solo on the studio version is what "makes" the song - it makes a good song a great one. UNDER A VIOLET MOON: Similar to the studio version but with a nice electric violin solo added in the middle and much more of a rocking feel is produced by a hard-driving-bass-and-drumming combination. The organ solo sounds strangely muted compared to the studio version. SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: Well sung by Candace. Blackmore plays VERY gently. I prefer the Deep Purple version because of its electric guitar solo which gives the Purple version more "punch." 16th CENTURY GREENSLEEVES: Quite possibly the best version of the song I have ever heard. This song will remind you of why Blackmore is considered to be one of hard rock's greatest guitarists. A different arrangement of the song from the Rainbow versions, the repeating riff of the Rainbow versions is replaced by a shuffle and the riff doesn't appear until the very end of the song. A series of short but scorching guitar solos will have you checking you speakers for smoke damage! Also note the excellent, intricate, melodic bass lines and tight drumming. (In fact, the entire album contains an excellent, very tight bass-and-drumming combination which is at times, intricate and melodic, at others, hard driving. No boring thump-thump one-and-two note basslines here!) Other highlights include HOME AGAIN with a Ukrainian-folk-song riff added in the middle and RENAISSANCE FAIRE. RENAISSANCE FAIRE comes across as grand, majestic, and powerful; I can just imagine its glorious sounds filling up the concert hall in centuries gone by. It's neither better nor worse than the studio version - just different. Again, an extra bridge section is added to the middle of the song. The only negative thing I can say about this album, as others have pointed out, is the selection of songs. The two best songs from "Under a Violet Moon", the sad, elegant CATHERINE HOWARD'S FATE and GONE WITH THE WIND, with its incredible middle and ending guitar solos, are conspicuously absent. I would have loved to have heard what Blackmore does with those solos "live.". And, the timeless classic, and one of the best-ever Blackmore's Night songs, THE CLOCK TICKS ON, is also sadly missing. Where are the powerful STORM and the majestic CROWNING OF THE KING? Yet, some of the weaker, more mediocre songs like MORNING STAR and WRITING ON THE WALL appear here; I didn't care for the studio versions and I don't care for the "live' versions either. Overall, while a fine performance from Blackmore & Company, I hope they put out another "live" album sometime in the future which truly contains all their BEST songs. And, like some of the other reviewers, it would be great if Blackmore plays more ELECTRIC guitar this time; I'm not saying it has to be ALL electric, after all this isn't Deep Purple or Rainbow, but a better balance of electric and acoustic would be appreciated. Electric guitar is only played on TWO, count 'em, TWO (possibly four, but on two songs it sounds like keyboards rather than electric guitar) songs on this album!

An excellent sounding live CD of a stunning performance of Blackmore's Night. This CD, more than anything, shows that Blackmore has left Purple behind and has gone on with his life. Whilst the old Purple boys are still out on the road, rehashing past history and trying to live in the early 70s, Blackmore has moved to new directions (based on some of his old themes) to create new, and as another reviewer put it, refreshing, music. Ronnie James Dio, apparently miffed that a Rainbow reunion is not in the cards, has been critical of Blackmore's new direction. Well Ronnie, Candice sings your own song (16th Century Greensleeves) better than you ever did on this CD. Other high points inclde Fires At Midnight and Shadow Of The Moon.

For those who are unfamiliar with Blackmore's Night, this is a group headed by Ritchie Blackmore, formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow, and his lovely wife and lead singer, Candice Night. He is however a long ways from "Smoke On the Water". The roots of this ensemble are in olde English folk songs, classical and medieval music. This is not to say that Blackmore's Night is a mere archivist living in the past as they also incorporate elements of rock and pop into their sound.

This live album includes many songs from their past studio albums and the main difference between them is that there is a lot more emphasis on acoustic instruments on this album than on the studio versions. This technically qualifies as their "Unplugged" album. The versions heard here are extended and much different from their studio cousins. "Fires At Midnight' which on last year's album of the same name contained a blazing electric guitar solo, here has an acoustic jazzy guitar solo, complemented by Chris Devine's electric violin. Devine solos on this song and prominently throughout the album. These are solid musicians who have strong musical technical training and as a result have the chops to create interesting music that evokes emotions. As in all of their albums there are instrumental classical pieces, folk songs, medieval and more modern pop songs along with a rocker or two.

Blackmore could have continued to play the circuit with new line-ups of Deep Purple and I'm sure made a very nice living. Instead he have continued to grow as a musician working in a genre that very few people have explored and that is not especially popular except with those that hang out at medieval fairs. He and his group are forging a new sound while keeping an ancient tradition alive. Reminds me of a time when groups like The Beatles, Byrds and Pink Floyd where willing to take chances with their music and look what they ended up creating.

If you have not heard Blackmore's Night, a great introduction to them is my personal favorite, 2001's 'Fires At Midnight ". This year's studio album "Ghost of a Rose" is also not too shabby, if you get hooked into this group you'll probably wind up with all of them

Simply put, there is not enough of this sort of playful Renaissance inspired music around. Ritchie Blackmore is a music legend in his own right, and it is a daring move to seek out a musical niche that acknowledges musical history. There is something refreshingly new about a musical artist not trying to be new, but rather trying to just be exceptional in his craft. Whether the instrumentation is classical or modern, this group manages to transport us to another time when it was not enough to just come out with a new hit song on every album, but rather to engage the audience and entertain with exceptional skill. Candice Night has a wonderful voice to lend to the inspired musical tapestry. This double album contains performance live recordings and I was afraid that perhaps the audience would detract from the music quality. Instead the intimate atmosphere of friendly encouragement from the audience only serves to add to the power of this collection.

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 crowning of the king, possums last dance, times they are a changing etc....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. (...)

I remember well Ritchie, Ronnie & Rainbow. I chuckle still at some of it, but never the guitar work. It was during that time that Blackmore began fusing classical-style elements to his solos and songs, giving rise to a new style of rock which had it's emulators in Yngwie Malmsteen and groups like TNT. But good artists don't get caught in the trap of self-imitation and it is not surprising to see Blackmore's music evolving again with Night. Each release by Night sees him doing what he does best, and that's writing and playing his renaissance fusion accompanied by some good sidemen(& women). It does not, regardless of what some might suggest, see him delving headlong into treatments of traditional material. Not to say that a guitarist of Ritchie's ilk can't play outside his comfort zone, but if one wanted to hear traditional material there is the Chieftains and the like. If one wanted classical guitar there is Segovia. Some refer to this as "Night Unplugged," but I think it sounds great. It's Ritchie in the zone. I especially love the way they picked up the Rainbow tune, 16th Century Greensleeves and reworked it with remarkable effect. Who says Night's voice has no "spark?" This is a great collection, buy it and have fun.

What can I say about Ritchie Blackmore except that he's Ritchie Blackmore? I've been a fan of his for years, since Deep Purple and Rainbow, and have especially loved his more symphonic pieces like 'Stargazer', 'Gates of Bablyon', 'Temple of the King', 'Rainbow Eyes'. I also love medieval and Renaissance music (and I also perform such music, so my appreciation is deep), and when Ritchie came back into the spotlight with the beautiful Candice, I was enthralled and enchanted with what they had to say musically. This live album is a great statement for their talents. And unlike other blonde and beautiful singers like Britney and Christine and their ilk, Candice has *real* talent and isn't just a model put on the stage to make money for a bunch of record producers. It's obvious that Ritchie & Co aren't doing it for the money, they are doing it for the love of the music and the performance and the good company they share with their audience. I'd give anything to be playing on stage with them (in medieval clothes, of course)

I never thought that I'd say that, but with Blackmore's Night, you'd do better to buy the studio recorded albums. Why? This band, while together on stage, lacks the spark of a really talented band. Given Blackmore's history with Deep Purple and Rainbow, I would have expected more from the band as a whole. I like Blackmore's Night; I am just not overly thrilled with this cd.

I've seen Blackmore's Night live, and they do lack a spark on stage. It's quite evident that everyone dances around Blackmore, which is fine, as he is a greatly talented guitarist. However, in doing this, the rest of the band seems like session musicians who merely play the music. These songs don't truly showcase Blackmore's stunning guitar work. His playing seems aloof (both on this cd and live). Candice Night has a pretty but unmemorable voice and the lyrics are merely okay. It's strange to me how listening to them live has really changed my opinion of them. I still really like their studio work, but if I could go back, I probably wouldn't buy this cd.

I loved this live CD of Blackmore's Night. It's a great addition to any Blackmore's Night collection. Candice's voice along with Ritchie's wonderful playing blends together to make a haunting and marvolous CD. I recommend it for any devoted Blackmore's Night fan.

I have been a Blackmore's Night fan for 3 years, and waiting (not quite patiently) for their next studio album, Ghost of a Rose. In this dreary waiting period, (yes I know Fires at Midnight came out in 2001) Past Times With Good Company has kept me on the straight and narrow as a Blackmore's Night fan.
Past Times With Good Company is a wonderful addition to mine (and any true fan's) collection. All of their great songs, live! It makes me wish to see them even more. It is by far a superior album to most live albums...Candice gives a small commentary between each track. I felt as if I was actually at a show the first time I listened to it.
If you are not yet a Blackmore's Night Fan, I don't reccomend this being your first album... Get the other ones first then when you purchase this one...it will mean that much more to you.
If you ARE a Blackmore's Night Fan and haven't picked up this album...WHY NOT??! Go out and get it...heck order it right here...you'll be glad you did.