Blackmore's Night New Album Provides A Musical Escape Into Nature

On their first album in six years, renaissance-folk music ensemble Blackmore's Night celebrate a much-needed connection to nature and the wonders, peace of mind, and revitalization its beauty and mystery can bring to the weary.

The excellent disc, "Nature's Light," out Friday, March 12, is needed now more than ever, at a time when people have been shuttered at home for far too long and, even before the pandemic, spent way too much time connected to devices rather than exploring the natural world.

The husband-and-wife team of legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) and stirring singer and poetic lyricist Candice Night lead Blackmore's Night. On "Nature's Light" the couple take listeners on a journey through enchanting winterscapes, windswept oceans and forests, and magnificent starry skies.

Highlights include Night's enchanting vocals throughout the album and Blackmore's intertwining of medieval and renaissance instrumentation with traditional electric guitar. Album opener "Once Upon December" includes ethereal vocals from Night, "Feather in the Wind" is lively and dynamic and "The Twisted Oak" shows that if you listen closely to nature's stories, you'll find peace of mind. The regal "Nature's Light" and the joyous "Going to the Faire," featuring backing vocals from Blackmore and Night's children, are other high marks.

Blackmore especially shines on the instrumentals "Darker Shade of Black" and "Der Letzte Musketier." The former moves from somewhat melancholy to ecclesiastical and features a stirring solo while the latter also puts the listener in a chapel-like setting and is delicate yet vibrant. Blackmore takes things home on album closer "Second Element" with tasteful acoustic and soaring electric work.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Candice Night.

Every time an artist releases a new album it’s exciting, but you must be particularly exhilarated to release the first Blackmore's Night album in six years

It's been a long time. We've had this album done for a couple of years and thought it would be out in 2020 until everything got stalled. Then we did the Christmas album ("Here We Come A-Caroling" released in December). We thought we should put something out at that point so that the fans had something new. But we knew we really needed to get "Nature's Light" out now.

Does it feel odd releasing an album knowing you won’t be able to tour for it right away?

It’s been crazy. When it first happened we were supposed to go on tour in the northeast. We did live streams on our own and one through News12 and we were so grateful; people tuned in from all over the world. We did it from our living room and took requests. But it’s different, not just the absence of applause but the positive energy when you see the smiling faces and people singing along. We have to figure out a way where we can present the songs in a live environment and keep everyone safe. It’s going to be amazing to get back to that at some point.

On “Going to the Faire” your children sing backing vocals. How proud a moment is that for yourself and Ritchie?

We’re very proud of them. Our children are always around us. My daughter wakes up singing and sings all day long and goes to sleep singing. It's like being in a musical. My son is more of a drummer. We’re always doing family music time. They’re always in the studio with us. If there's any place where they can sing along with us on an album, we do it. A song like “Going to the Faire” was perfect because it’s something we do as a family and always brings back wonderful memories.

On the song “Four Winds” you sing about the universal theme of leaving home for a new adventure and use natural backdrops as the two protagonists venture to the ocean and the woods.

That song is based on a true story. I had an idea about two of my closest friends who I’ve grown up with on Long Island. They are both interesting and so different but so deeply connected to me and my heart. The song was inspired by different parts of nature that connected throughout. We’re all really on a spiritual journey. We want the listener to be part of that journey as well. We’re all ready to start again. It’s a daily evolution.

The first Blackmore’s Night album was released 24 years ago. Did you see this as a long-term entity at that time?

We never thought when we first sat down and wrote these songs on such a personal level that we'd put it out for everyone to hear. We were creating music as an escape from what the rock world had become at the time. It was very commercialized. We first played the songs at little parties we had and our friends said if this was available they would buy it. We knew other people would want to hear it as well. It became a natural evolution of creating. Every step of the way has been a perfect snapshot of time personally and musically. When we look back on every album we can go right back to that moment in time. It’s been an incredible journey.