BLACKMORE'S NIGHT To Release 'To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond…'

2017 marks the twentieth anniversary of BLACKMORE’S NIGHT — the internationally heralded Renaissance rock band helmed by six-string extraordinaire Ritchie Blackmore and his wife, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night. To celebrate, the band will release “To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond…”, a two-disc collection of favorites and new material, on August 18.

“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…” enthuse 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‘s dexterous 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.

“To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond…” track listing:

CD 1:

01. Shadow Of The Moon
02. Spirit Of The Sea
03. Renaissance Faire
04. Play Minstrel Play
05. Under A Violet Moon
06. Spanish Nights
07. Fires At Midnight
08. Ghost Of A Rose
09. Cartouche
10. Village Lanterne
11. The Circle
12. 25 Years
13. Dandelion Wine
14. Home Again (live)

CD 2:

01. I Surrender (bonus track)
02. Moonlight Shadow (2017 version)
03. Somewhere Over The Sea (2017 version)
04. Writing On The Wall (2017 version)
05. Coming Home (2017 version)
06. Ghost Of John (bonus track)
07. Minstrel Hall
08. Possum Goes To Prague
09. Durch den Wald zum Bach Haus
10. Nur eine Minute
11. Village Dance
12. Land Of Hope And Glory (2017 single version)
13. Bonus Video