Blackmore Night: The Lost Interview

by Chris Willow
— Guest Columnist —

The lost exclusive never published interview with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night about their first CD Shadow Of The Moon recorded together under the name of ‘Blackmore’s Night’ in August of 1997.

Last year we had the 20th anniversary of Ritchie Blackmore’s project called ‘Blackmore’s Night.

Shadow Of The Moon was the very first enchanted record that started the whole minstrel-like, medieval-inspired Ritchie Blackmore’s Folk-rock thing. The music itself was eclectic, free of commercial trends. It was exciting and was a kind of magical experiment for Blackmore himself. Together with his girlfriend (currently wife) Candice Night they landed in the studio doing that inventive project.

This lost interview reveals some stories of why it happened and what was the background of that musical journey that at the time of the interview was not yet finished. Blackmore’s Night released the 20th anniversary CD ” To The Moon And Back” in 2017.

Blackmore is currently working in two bands now; Blackmore’s Rainbow and Blackmore’s Night. Both bands offered fans a chance to see Blackmore performing live during the summer of 2017.

The Medieval-Renaissance themes have made a huge impact on maestro’s playing.

Even currently playing Hard Rock with Rainbow he uses the very similar sound of his guitar and other technical equipment to the one which was signed to Blackmore’s Night. Blackmore’s Night influence on current Rainbow is inevitable but Ritchie can balance it perfectly.

Blackmore’s Night is the group where Ritchie found a home and acceptance for himself. He continues performing with Blackmore Night’s for more than 20 years. His longest consecutive stint for Blackmore in any band that he has been a part of. Now we could hear the rumors about Ritchie Blackmore reunion with Deep Purple for some live performances in 2018. Is it going to happen? Ritchie was the main composing engine of Deep Purple and one of the original founders together with late Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

Chris Willow: What prompted you to want to write and record ‘Shadow Of The Moon’ – with the material you used to treat as inspiration for your heavy rock songs before?

Ritchie Blackmore: After 25 years I feel like it was a time to show people what Renaissance music was about. At all stage in my career, I wanted to do something that I liked to do and the record company gave me the artistic freedom to do that for a change.

Chris Willow: How do you remember your studio experience work on ‘Shadow Of The Moon’ with Ritchie?

Candice Night: My studio work with Ritchie was a great learning experience for me, I can’t imagine anything better than able to create something as beautiful as music with someone that you love and someone that loves you. The writing of the album came so naturally and quick that we were performing these songs for two years before recording them. It was Ritchie’s idea to go to the studio. I am glad we did. I have learned different techniques with my voice while recording this album that I wasn’t aware before. And Ritchie and the producer (Pat Regan) were good at guiding me or having me try different harmony parts that I wouldn’t have thought of myself. I look forward to recording the next album already.

Chris: Would you like to perform with ‘SOTM’ in Poland? Would you like to perform in chamber places like old castles? Are you going to use any symphonic orchestra, string quartet or something like that as a background?

Ritchie: I would like to perform with ‘Shadow Of The Moon’ in Poland, they are working on that right now. We will be using a 5 piece band and all the renaissance instruments will be sampled into a synthesizer. We are rehearsing with the band now. We would like to play in castles, churches, and perhaps small auditoriums.

Chris: Does your relationship help to compose, create music?

Candice: I believe that our relationship does help us to create music. It helps because we are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so if he comes up with an idea for a song, all he has to do is come into the next room and we can immediately work on it together. Plus, it’s not like I’m paid session musician. I do it because I love to write and to sing- not because of what I am getting paid. Someone told me the other day that this album is what love sounds like when put to music. I agree – but it means more to me that others hear that as well.

Chris: Could you tell how you would describe yourself as a musician and what guitar style you prefer now?

Ritchie: As a musician, I am all right. I’m still trying to undo the mystery of the guitar. The guitar style I prefer varies. It depends on what I am playing at the time. I like Renaissance music but I still like rock and roll music.

Chris: Do you think you have opened Ritchie’s eyes to something he couldn’t see before?

Candice: I think the only thing that I have probably opened Ritchie’s eyes to is the fact that you can be motivated by love and positivity, too. I think he used to think that you could only create if you had friction in a band and anger – and maybe for him to create Rock ‘n’ Roll music he did need that in the band. Or maybe it was in the band anyway and he used those negative feelings to motivate him. Whatever it was, it worked! But this is the result that you get from him as a musician when he is motivated by love and though it is totally different I think it is just as good. Luckily, most of his fans seem to agree with that. They have been extremely supportive of him.

Chris: Does the proposal of Polish dates act on you in any special way? Would you like to tell anything about your Polish descent?

Candice: Of course I would love to play some dates in Poland! My ancestors on my maternal side are from the Bailystok area, Poland and I would love to go and just see how it feels there. As we all carry the genes of our ancestors in us I wonder if it would spark off any feelings or remembrances, although I’m told that it has changed a great deal since they were there.

Chris: What do you plan for your 2000 New Year’s Eve?

Ritchie: I will worry about the year 2000 when it happens…

To the Moon and Back – 20 Years and Beyond | Blackmore’s Night & Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow

Ritchie Blackmore and Blackmore’s Night Official Site
http://www.blackmoresnight.com/

Blackmore’s Night – Celebrating 20 Years —

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkDmMn74YUw

Blackmore’s Night Shadow on the Moon Japan 1997 —

RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY —

Official Sneak Preview of upcoming Rainbow Release (2018) —

Stay connected with Christopher Willow’s Projects and Interviews:

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Live Project 2017 | Facebook
2.6K likes. The last hard rock hero hits the road again!
https://www.facebook.com/BlackmoresRainbow/

Rainbow Live Project (@Rainbow2016EU) | Twitter
The latest Tweets from Rainbow Live Project (@Rainbow2016EU): “The Sound of Blackmore’s @Rainbow2016EU …”
https://twitter.com/rainbow2016eu