Review: Blackmore’s Night, Grand Opera House, York

1:27pm Thursday 14th June 2007

IT IS ten years since Ritchie Blackmore, founding member of the mighty Deep Purple, turned his back on rock'n'roll and re-invented himself as a strolling medieval minstrel.

As a full house witnessed on Tuesday, he's having a great time!

Anybody who dismisses Blackmore's Night as neo-renaissance fluff just has not been paying attention to what is a fine touring band.

From the opening moments featuring an electric blue spotlight on virtuoso keyboardist Bard David of Larchmont (yes, that's right!) to the sadly all-too-brief encore of Smoke On The Water, Ritchie and his merry seven-piece band had the audience spellbound.

Their wonderful two-hour set featured songs from throughout their career, such as Play Minstrel Play, fabulous sing-a-long favourites Under A Violet Moon and Back Home, a beautiful acoustic version of Joan Baez's Diamonds And Rust and, probably the highlight for many of us, re-workings of Purple standards Soldier Of Fortune and Black Night.

Special mention must be given to the beautiful voice and presence of Candice Night, Ritchie's leading lady and partner, whose mischief and charm is totally captivating, especially her gentle teasing of Ritchie between songs.

We lapped it all up, notably in the stalls' front rows, where many people danced in the aisles in full medieval regalia all evening!

Once the moody, sullen rock star, nowadays Blackmore plays the court jester, even adding a cheeky Chuck Berry-style Duck Walk midway through. Yes, he's a happy man indeed!

A great show that you must try to catch next time.

- Alex Calnan