Ritchie Blackmore is best known as master guitarist and axe slinging legend in black for both Deep Purple and Rainbow. His riff from "Smoke in the Water" is one of the most recognizable and enduring bits of rock history in our time, while his Rainbow "Rising" record has been the backbone inspirational staple for a legion of bands that followed. Groundbreaking just barely covers his accomplishments throughout the 70s and 80s.
However, after revitalizing the Rainbow banner after a ten year absence and a one shot album "Stranger In us All", he started dancing with fairies in their fey circles and haunting castles (a lifetime passion of his). This brought him to return to the music fold not as a metal master, but the ringleader of all things renaissance. Blackmore's Night "Circle of the Moon" ushered in his style change and a new era of music for Blackmore and his girlfriend-singer Candice Night. His light touch on acoustic guitar, and Candice's candy sweet voice have blended together for over half a dozen albums now. The latest now being "Secret Voyage".

"Secret Voyage" takes us a bit beyond the softer realms of folksy Renaissance faire.   Blackmore knocks the cobwebs out of his electric Strat and really plows into it for a few tracks here. Most notable is their soaring "Locked Within the Crystal Ball", an imaginative journey through the arcane, the mystical and fairy dusting magical. An uptempo symphonic rocker that has flash, flair and all the epic trappings one would expect from an outfit like Nightwish, and comes wholly as an unexpected surprise from Blackmore's Night.  A very welcome departure from their norm, with walls of instruments dancing along, enhancing the potent mix of Rainbow and Night.  Ritchie's guitars are breathtaking, lines bursting through in crystal clean clarity, riffs of shattered diamonds set off by these multitude of other instruments weaving themselves in complex layers. It's a beautiful creation that proudly whispers the secrets of 70s Rainbow along with the promises of his current project's style.

"God Save the Keg" is an instrumental that makes the best use of Ritchie's talents, and while instrumentals often suffer from being curiosities that feel as if the band needs something to flaunt their skill and failing at making a true song out of it, "Keg" falls down no such typical holes and manages to stand apart from the rest. Rainbow's "Rainbow Eyes" is covered here and watered down into a sugary gentle presentation, guided by Night's charming voice and some electric frills by Blackmore. It's not as lazy and gorgeous as the original, Dio-sung version, but this take on the song is different enough to be worth a listen or two. "Can't Help Falling In Love" is another cover, "Sister Gypsy" is a pop track that is catchy enough to be sung around the campfire.

"Toast to Tomorrow" and the bard-esque "The Circle" both get nods for their danceable simple beats and infectious bits. "Gilded Cage" sees Blackmore stepping to the side and allowing his lady to take the front stage again. A nice ballad that has deep classical roots and a drifts like smokey magic on a cloud covered night.  
 
The final trio is folksy forgettable, including the storyteller "The Peasant's Promise", the bittersweet "Far Far Away" and the misty lull of "Empty Words".  However these strike out nothing new and tend to blend into one another, leaving a tingling after presence of serenity but offers naught to get excited over.  It's the kind of breezy, pretty pap that fans desire, however, the album would have been better served following the paths of that are "Crystal Ball" oriented instead of leaning on old formulas and dusty covers. 

Fans of Blackmore's Night are going to find much to delight in "Secret Voyage". The gypsy in us all seems to be the band's theme this time, taking a few steps back from the Celtic influences that drove past albums. The slight twist is a refreshing one, and songs such as "Locked Within the Crystal Ball" make the embers burn in hopes of more to come along our way in this manner. Definitely a keeper and a nice welcome deviation from the onslaught of melodic rock that has been pumped out this year.

Written by Alanna
Monday, August 18, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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Comment by gizmo (Member) - Tuesday, August 19, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 The thing with Blackmore´s albums has always be that there´s some kick ass tracks 3-4 on each album and then the rest is a bit borring. Everytimes there´s a little speed (I guess it donsen´t matter anymore) in the track or some really good sing-along chorus (all for one) then he is the master. But theres too many tracks that does not stick out and i can´t remember even after 3-4 spins. Anyway i buy all his albums just for the 3-4 tracks that kicks ass Posted by gizmo Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 gizmo: You are right - and this one is absolutely fallen under that same spell as the rest. However, "Locked Within the Crystal Ball" is just genius, and I would think the album would be worth purchasing just for that one song alone. The first album had the two most memorable songs (in my opinon at least) - "No Second Chances" and "Wish You Were Here". I can sing those on request anytime, anyplace - and after ten years... that's impressive. Maybe. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Thursday, August 21, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 Wish you were here, my farvorite Blackmore track ;0) Posted by gizmo Thursday, August 21, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Saturday, August 23, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 Ah ha, that's my favorite too. Although I don't think its an original. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Saturday, August 23, 2008

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Monday, November 17, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 OMG. I just got the album today and you were not kidding. Locked within the crystal ball is absolutely marvelous. Heard it more than 20 times today and the video for the song is also so great Posted by gizmo Monday, November 17, 2008