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Misty-eyed night with Blackmore
This was one of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time.
It’s been years since I’ve seen Ritchie perform live as the opportunities are few and far between. I see DP whenever they come around but in a way, this was more fun. My impression of Ritchie as dark and moody has changed for sure. He was light hearted and joking around, having a great time. The crowd was fired up and that must have made a good impression on him as well.
The music was great. Candice was amazing. They even did a cover of Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. As I said, it was a joy to see Ritchie so happy. He was handing out drinks to the audience, playing to role of bartender. Soldier of Fortune was fantastic as was Diamonda and Rust. The band was great. Very tight and full of energy. I used to think it was a shame that Ritchie and Ian parted ways but I think it was for the best.
Ritchie seems to really enjoy performing now. He was a first class gentleman and showman throughout. I expected to get impatient waiting for the white Strat to appear but I wasn’t at all. The BN songs were great and come across really well live. It was a treat to see and hear Ritchie play acoustic guitar. He’s equally good on acoustic and electric!
When the Stratocaster magic did begin, it was amazing. I’m not that emotional of a guy but I got a little misty-eyed seeing my guitar hero and idol playing his heart out to us. The more I think about it, the more I think he did the right think by leaving DP. His music has evolved and grown up. I don’t think anyone but Ritchie could make the Renaissance music work so well in combination with rock and acoustic instruments. It just works.
They are a great band. Keyboards, bass, violin vocals, they all just mesh wonderfully. I’m not posting a setlist but I can say there’s something for everyone in a blackmore’s night show. If you’re a Purple fan, you’ll love it. If you’re a Blackmore’s night fan, you’ll love it. If you’re a music fan, you’ll love it!
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
We were there 2nd row balcony getting goosebumps probaly from the beautiful music but I heard theres a ghost in the balcony at Somerville theater seen maybe 10 bn shows this was our favorite Alice Bill Belfast Me
October 31st, 2009 at 14:13… and we don´t wan´t to forget:
If you a Blackmore-Fan you´ll love it too !!!
*LLRnR*
-kraatzy-
October 31st, 2009 at 17:15captured my thoughts exactly…i was there in he Somerville show too..
October 31st, 2009 at 20:31Nice post Frank, you know how they say “they were meant for each other”? They apparently were not talking ’bout RB and Big Ian. Sounds like Ritchie has found happiness as has his old foe Gillan. Good luck to both, but I prefer Deep Purple’s harder music.
October 31st, 2009 at 21:14Cheers
I agree. I caught BN in New York City and it dawned on me…Ritchie has now launched three very successful bands – Purple, Rainbow and Blackmore’s Night. How many other musicians can make that claim? We didn’t get enough of the stratocaster at the New York show, but the night was still great fun.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:31They were awesome , and worth the wait , since 1997 . this was the first visit to the Boston area .
November 1st, 2009 at 13:03I’m not going to add , or take away from this review , it was a fantastic performance , from a fantastic band .
The review didn’t mention that the set was cut short by a stage manager whom alegedly told Richie and Candice while they were backstage during a violin solo (*I think it was a violin solo) that they better get their @$$ off stage or he would cut the power !
This ‘development’ took place at a point in the show , where you had already settled in to the vibe of the evening , and were comfortable with what ever piece of treasure they performed from their repertoire , and were waiting to see if they were going to play that special one that you hold the most endeared .
That said , it is notable that the members of Blackmore’s Night managed to have the croud exit in good spirits , and not feel so depressed over the premature finale .
I know i HOLD NOTHING AGAINST THE BAND FOR THIS ,
When I heard that BMs/N was coming to BOS. I was pretty psyched , but when I heard they were playing The Somerville Theater , I became doubly psyched . The Somerville
would be the ideal venue in the BOS area for BMs?N to play at , but that encounter at the end of the performance casts some doubt on the stage management dept. personnel . I hope both organizations come to terms with whatever that rift was about , because I sure hope we get another shot , someday to see Blackmore’s Night do their complete set in the BOS area , and preferably at The Somerville Theater .
And the crouw yeld Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie…..
November 1st, 2009 at 19:08I’m sure it was a great evening, but RB has always been lightyears above the rest. Where is Page today (did you say Page who????) and even Steve Morse is getting more and more boring. RB still comes up with the greatest playing of them all.
I would love to see him back in hard rock, or at least in a combination of BN and hard rock. That would be a dream come true – just like when DP Mrk II came back +/- 25 years ago.
I have only one problem – WHY ON EARTH IS BN NOT PLAYING IN DENMARK THESE YEARS????????????
November 1st, 2009 at 21:42Tuesday is almost here , Blackmore in Orlando Florida ??? its kinda like im sitting in a dream , i cant sleep i cant eat , GOD i cant wait , or should i say RITCHIE i cant wait !
November 2nd, 2009 at 02:11great post frank! now, when will they come to the west coast again so i can hopefully submit a review as positive as yours? last time i saw him was in san francisco on feb. 1, 2005.
November 2nd, 2009 at 03:00I agree with you Bo. RB is lightyears above the rest, and to be honest I wouldn’t like to see him jumping in his sixties like that he’s twenty years old. He expressed his guitar skills in various ways, he came with so many ideas and subtle style impregnations – HR with classical, Middle East themes with HR, medieval style, etc. The guy is mastermind of DP and Rainbow legendary riffs – he never limited himself, and lately he succeed with neo-medieval band and has produced really great music, if you like that kind of music, but even if you don’t, you’ll find a lot of great touches and new ideas musicaly. He has just reached what very few guitar players can reach. Therefore, it’s ridicylous to me seeing people always talking about his temper – that’s issue for his wife, not for us. Ritchie is one of the most talented guitar players ever. You can hardly compare him with someone.
November 2nd, 2009 at 08:01I agree the Somerville show was great, but it did take forever for the show to actually start, so I imagine that may have played a part in the abrupt ending. I’ve seen other shows there go on without a hitch, so I imagine the stage manager is not 100 percent at fault here …
November 2nd, 2009 at 14:31I would love to see BN come to Anchorage. What a treat that would be, especially being a lifelong fan since the early 70’s when I first heard DP and was hooked.
Ken Sease
🙂
November 2nd, 2009 at 19:37Does BN bring support acts with them as well?
Die Geyers from Germany or…….?
Support acts are a waste of time and are one of the main reasons the schedule of the headliner gets stuuck in some short time schedule…..
Weird……
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:57Now Blackmore conquer America again!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 20:13It seems a great tour..
November 4th, 2009 at 08:09If I could watch..
good day everyone…
We drove in from Montreal to the Boston show – it was fantastic!!!…I have been waiting since the last time I saw him (1985) when he was with that “other ” band…;o)
November 4th, 2009 at 17:55As Frank said – he was enjoying himself on the stage and with the band members, especially Candace. The show was truly entertaining and most enjoyable.I found myself forgetting to breathe as he played the solo in Black Night!! Very unfortunate about the 11PM curfew – he played until midnight (!!!) in Philly. Can`t wait `til the next road trip!!
Yeah, I was going to mention the somewhat eventful evening. I just wasn’t quite sure what happened. It seemed interesting that they claimed the manager/culprit’s name was Ian. I figured Ritchie (would he do such a thing, hmmm) either made up the name or possibly even the story in order to get everyone to chant “Ian Sucks” which they did.
November 4th, 2009 at 23:52I believe the stage manager’s name is actually Ian. I Googled it and all …
November 5th, 2009 at 16:14Ritchie, Please come out to play…(Rock ‘n roll) again!
November 6th, 2009 at 05:03I totally agree with the all those comments about the Somerville show. I was 3rd row center and was prepared to be let down but Ritchie really did seem quite happy. The band was quite good as well. Black Night was a stunner and while the way it ended really ticked me off, it seemed like things were picking up and everyone was having such a great time, the memories more than make up for that. Sure hope they return to Somerville.
November 6th, 2009 at 23:19i was extreme left 2nd row….@14, yes there was a sort of opener who was very talented man himself…he played a few instruments and sang a very good version of scarborough fair on a hurdy gurdy…actually, I saw Ritchie come to the stage side, behind the curtains, and start supporting this guy with a tamborine…I was going to shout out ‘Ritchie’ but refrained, it would have been disrespectful for this lone guy on the stage…
November 9th, 2009 at 22:40