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DPAS
LIVE REVIEWS I can remember gigs with Rainbow and Deep Purple where Ritchie would try to play a soft intricate introduction to a song, only to be interrupted by whistles and shouts from the audience, much to my frustration. One of the best aspects of Blackmore's Night is that the audience appears to have huge respect for the music, and in particular for Blackmores guitar work, all which lends itself to an almost reverential silence whilst Ritchie picks his way around the fretboard. It is wonderful to have the chance to see Ritchie play in this way, and even if you loathe the music and songs, you surely cannot complain at seeing a well motivated and captivating Blackmore playing at his very best. Ritchies playing was stunning. He is still a God as far as I’m concerned. So what of the songs and music? Blackmore's Night are now on their third UK tour promoting their fourth studio album. They therefore can cherry-pick the best of their songs and this lends itself to a better overall quality of song than the group could produce from the first two tours. Diamonds and Rust was a particular highlight, although we missed the sort of guitar solo that appears on the studio version. Ritchie was really on form and was in good spirits, often shouting “yeh”, grinning and generally larking about. Blackmore's Night rely very much on their music to do the talking rather than employ any sort of “performance” into their act. All is fairly static, dark, and lacking in much visual interest. Funny really, because Candice Night has much visual appeal and her personality comes over as extremely pleasant on stage. I think the band prefer an overall atmosphere to be created as opposed to promoting the individual talents of Ritchie or Candice. The audience for Blackmore's Night really are a mixed bag. I saw pensioners and youngsters alike. There were still plenty of Purple and Rainbow shirts around, but I think significantly less than when they first toured the UK. It does appear as if the last couple of years' promotional activity has begun to pay off, and the band appear to be producing its own fan base, rather than the guaranteed lunatic ex-purple following which will no doubt be appearing at every gig. Blackmore's Night have certainly moved on since I last saw them. Ritchie has a great vehicle for his talents in this band and deserves credit for creating so much new music, some of which has great worth. Let it continue. review: John Blackburn
What a superb evening. Front row of the Opera House and no Germans running up and down instructing us how to enjoy a BN concert. What more could I ask for? The wife’s tights fitted extremely well; the only downside was my panteloons, which ended up round my knees after standing up for the last 20 minutes of the gig. (yeucchh!!) I have to say one or two fans did abuse the dress code by sitting in the front row without garb. The backing band (La Zag!!!!) did keep having a dig at the sound guys in German about the non-performance of the monitors, and I thought their Mystic Meg lookalike on the hurdey gurdey would predict the winning lotto numbers any second!! Their last number sounded exactly like a Gordon Giltrap instrumental from 20 years ago (the name regrettably I do not recall). The last time I saw BN was at Solingen, Germany in 2002 (whatever did happen to that DVD release, by the way ?). That night RB picked up his strat only once, but tonight he must have played his white strat for a good third of the gig. Great playing in Sixteenth Century Greensleeves and Writing on the Wall, however witnessing all the songs from such close proximity to the band was a sheer delight and something I will treasure very much. Some tracks, without doubt, were played with real emotion. The only downside was that the band only played in the rear half of the stage. I also have to say there was a great deal of humour taking place on stage – a version of Percy Sledges’ ‘Stand by Me’ caused great confusion as to who would make an effort to sing it – the rather camp bassist cracked everyone up by insisting the key was completely inappropriate for his voice!! What did happen to that request for Little Brown Jug, John ?? Also references to Cornish Pasties and Cadbury Flakes from Candice created much merriment. And finally, I have to admit it………I got to shake the hand of Mr B himself - (will I ever wash again??) Overall, a very big thumbs up ! review: Mark Connolly |
