To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond
Blackmore’s Night
Studio: Minstrel Hall Music
Release Date: August 11, 2017
2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Blackmore’s Night – the internationally-heralded Renaissance Rock band helmed by six-string extraordinaire Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night. To celebrate, the band is proud to present To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond…: a two-disc collection of favorites and new material.
To The Moon And Back boasts three brand new songs: “Ghost Of John”, which proudly introduces the vocals of Autumn Blackmore (the 6-year daughter of Blackmore and Night) at the close of the song, Blackmore’s “Land Of Hope and Glory” (a reworking of British patriotic anthem “Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1” written in 1902), and a cover of favored Rainbow tune “I Surrender”, with Night providing the vocals.
Additionally, the set includes re-recorded versions of catalog favorites “Moonlight Shadow”, “Somewhere Over The Sea”, “Coming Home”, and “Writing On The Wall”. This new material is buoyed with Blackmore’s Night classics, such as “Shadow Of The Moon”, “Ghost Of A Rose”, and “Under A Violet Moon”, and a live version of “Home Again”, fully rounding out this best-of compilation. The included booklet displays a collage of memorabilia, showcasing live band photos, backstage passes, and tour flyers. Completing To The Moon And Back is a behind-the-scenes bonus video of Blackmore and Night rehearsing at a soundcheck, allowing fans an intimate glimpse of the band before a show.
“We hope you enjoy this musical journey down memory lane from Shadow of the Moon…our first release…through our brand new 2017 versions of old favorites and a new surprise song. 20 years of memorable music and beyond...” enthuses Blackmore and Night.
The magic of Blackmore’s Night is their ability to transport the listener to a bygone era, gathered around a fire or in an old renaissance tavern. Their sold-out concerts resemble that era, with band and fans alike decked out in Renaissance garb, losing themselves in the mirth of the music. This ambiance is created via Blackmore’sdexterous movement between acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, mandola, cello, and hurdy gurdy, Night’s ethereal vocals and command of seven medieval woodwind instruments (bagpipe, chanters, shawms, and pennywhistles, to name a few), and the consummate musicianship of keyboardist/back-up vocalist Bard David, violinist Scarlett Fiddler, back-up vocalist/shawm player Lady Lynn, bassist/rhythmic guitarist Earl Grey, and percussionist Troubadour of Aberdeen.
After 20 amazing years, Blackmore’s Night continue to invite fans and newcomers to join them To The Moon And Back…Won’t you heed their call?