Secret Voyage

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Product Reviews

(4 stars) - This is the best music being made in the new age/folk genre. Period.
The Good
"God Save the Keg" starts the album off with soft acoustics mixed with some sober windwoods and strings. I know, what is rock about that? The track serves as an introduction to the entire album. Once "Locked Within the Crystal Ball" kicks in, you'll see how the worlds of rock and folk collide. Candice Night's beautiful voice compliments the electric guitar tones of Richie Blackmore quite well. "Gilded Cage" takes a more traditional folk approach in its balladry, as does "Toast to Tomorrow." The latter song is most likely what you think about when you imagine music during the medieval era. The chorus is undeniably catchy and will most certainly have you clapping or tapping you foot.

Blackmore resurrects another Rainbow gem on this album. Candice adds her own spin to "Rainbow Eyes." Another cover the group tackles is the Elvis Presley classic "Can't Help Falling in Love." You young'uns probably know the UB40 version. Either way, Blackmore's Night injects some great energy into the track, giving it a better bounce and flow. Blackmore's shreds through some great guitar runs as well.

The Bad
Well, it's folk music. It takes a little getting used to.

The Verdict
As a rock fan, I loved Richie Blackmore in Deep Purple and Rainbow. He's one of the greats that inspired me to play the guitar. In Blackmore's Night Richie has certainly matured and perfected his mastery of the guitar. Secret Voyage displays a guitar aficionado at his very best. The beautiful and melodic tones of Candice Night add a sort of angelic feel to the music. The music gives you a sense that everything is okay in the world, so let's celebrate.

Having said that, rock fans will most likely find this album a bitter pill to swallow, as they probably have past Blackmore's Night albums. But as a music fan in general, you can't deny the musicianship of this group, and you can't deny that this is the best music being made in the new age/folk genre. Period.

(5 stars) - Secret Voyage is awesome!!!!
Blackmore's Night is the light of my life. Ritchie Blackmore is one of the most amazing musicians I've ever heard. I highly recommend this CD, and all of the others as well, to everyone!!!


Kenn

(4 stars) - Dastardly knaves have stolen the video!
I too am a little miffed that the CD says a bonus video is included, but is not. I tried it on two DVD players and a computer, and even flipped it over in the DVD players, all to no avail. Which is too bad, as you can really appreciate Blackmore's Night so much more after seeing them live. I have a two DVD set of the band performing in picturesque, castle settings in Germany, which greatly increased my appreciation for the band. The first two tracks on Secret Voyage are the best numbers the band has ever performed. "God Save the Keg" opens the album -- a rousing, full-on progressive rock instrumental with orchestral sweep, powered by pipe organ-sounding keyboards. This segues beautifully into the 7 minute-plus "Locked Within the Crystal Ball," in which Candace Knight's emotion-drenched vocal shows just how much she has progressed as a vocalist since the band's first album. This song also features Richie Blackmore playing electric lead guitar, and it doesn't seem at all gimicky in this Renaissance setting -- Henry the VIII and Anne Bolyn would have been up and rocking! The rest of the album is fine, especially a lovely acoutstic guitar instrumental from Richie. However, I could have done without their take on Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love" (hard to beat ye olde original). No new ground is broken after those first two tracks (althought that's about 11 minutes of music), and I find myself in agreement with several other reviews posted here that say it seems less inspired than the previous albums after that fantastic start. I hope the next album heads more in this progressive, renaissance-rock direction. I would love to see Jon Lord guest on keyboards, and he may have time now that he has retired from Deep Purple. Or maybe even Rick Wakeman might be game to do a guest spot!

(2 stars) - My least favorite from BN
I know everyone is supposed to say how wonderful this album is, and if you don't, you get panned, but it was a big disappointment to me. I have listened to Ritchie Blackmore's music since I was a kid (DP), and his interest in Baroque music is what made me give it a try, but this album is just plain bad. To me, it's the worst of the lot, having enjoyed all but Under a Violet Moon immensely, and that moderately. I could not find a single song on this album I liked, and that's remarkable because on all the other albums I could find five or more. Even Locked within a Crystal Ball does does nothing for me.

For anyone who has not listened to Blackmore's Night, do not try this album and make a judgment on the rest based on it. Try Shadow of the Moon, Ghost of a Rose, Fires at Midnight, or Village Lanterne. I love this band, but dislike this album, so don't use this as a measuring stick.

I am also not willing to write off Ritchie Blackmore so easily as some that find this album uninspiring. The issue is really the other albums are so good, they are hard to measure up to. One bad album is not a trend, and he's surprised everyone so many times, giving up on him because of a bad album is a mistake. I'll buy their next album without any hesitation, but I wouldn't buy this one again if it got destroyed.

(5 stars) - title? for review? why title? *confused*
Blackmore's Night is one of my favorites. They deliver vivid imagery, beautiful vocals, and soulful music to create a purely unique vision. From gypsies and queens to highwaymen and magicians, they also offer wonderful folklore. Secret Voyage is their best cd yet and I'm very pleased with it.

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