Love at First Listen
Something happened to me yesterday that hasn't happened in a very long time.
As far as music is concerned, when I've bought CDs these last several years it's usually been getting something on CD I had formerly on vinyl or tape. It's rare that I've gotten something actually new and unheard before.
Yesterday I was at Tower Records. They're going out of business and are having a sale; 40% off on all CDs, 30% to 50% on DVDs. Anyway, I was feeling nostalgic so I got some Uriah Heep (been missing "Lady in Black" for over 20 years), and then took a look at the Black Sabbath section to see if they had Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (they didn't). But then I saw a CD called Village Lanterne by a band named Blackmore's Night. I thought, "Could that be Ritchie Blackmore?" Indeed it was.
For those who may not be familiar with him, Ritchie Blackmore was guitarist and songwriter for the bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. His opening riff on Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" is one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock. I was a fan of both bands, but had lost track of Blackmore after Rainbow and hadn't thought about him in decades (literally).
Village Lanterne looked interesting, so I bought it. Ordinarily, it takes two or three times listening to new music for me to decide if I really like it. I loved this CD from the first notes. That hasn't happened to me in years, since the first time I bought a Loreena McKennitt CD (side note: Loreena's new album, An Ancient Muse, was due out yesterday, though I didn't find it. This is her first new work in nine years).
Though some of Blackmore's Night's songs are hard rock, most are Renaissance-style music played on authentic period instruments. If you like McKennitt's stuff, I think you'll like this as well.
I love it, and my new favorite song is by Blackmore's Night. Here's the lyrics:
Olde Village Lanterne
Don't shed a tear for me
I stand alone
This path of destiny
Is all my own
Once in the hands of fate
There is no choice
An echo on the wind
You'll hear my voice...
Some choose to fall behind
Some choose to lead
Some choose a golden path
Laden with greed
But it's the noble heart
That makes you strong
And in that heart, I'm with you all along...
The olde village lanterne
Is calling me onward
Leading wherever I roam
The olde village lanterne
A light in the dark
Bringing me closer to home...
So when you think of me
Do so with pride
Honor and bravery
Ruled by my side
And in your memory
I will remain
I will forever be within the flame...
Now at the journey's end
We've traveled far
And all we have to show
Are battle scars
But in the love we shared
We will transcend
And in that love, our journey never ends...
As far as music is concerned, when I've bought CDs these last several years it's usually been getting something on CD I had formerly on vinyl or tape. It's rare that I've gotten something actually new and unheard before.
Yesterday I was at Tower Records. They're going out of business and are having a sale; 40% off on all CDs, 30% to 50% on DVDs. Anyway, I was feeling nostalgic so I got some Uriah Heep (been missing "Lady in Black" for over 20 years), and then took a look at the Black Sabbath section to see if they had Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (they didn't). But then I saw a CD called Village Lanterne by a band named Blackmore's Night. I thought, "Could that be Ritchie Blackmore?" Indeed it was.
For those who may not be familiar with him, Ritchie Blackmore was guitarist and songwriter for the bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. His opening riff on Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" is one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock. I was a fan of both bands, but had lost track of Blackmore after Rainbow and hadn't thought about him in decades (literally).
Village Lanterne looked interesting, so I bought it. Ordinarily, it takes two or three times listening to new music for me to decide if I really like it. I loved this CD from the first notes. That hasn't happened to me in years, since the first time I bought a Loreena McKennitt CD (side note: Loreena's new album, An Ancient Muse, was due out yesterday, though I didn't find it. This is her first new work in nine years).
Though some of Blackmore's Night's songs are hard rock, most are Renaissance-style music played on authentic period instruments. If you like McKennitt's stuff, I think you'll like this as well.
I love it, and my new favorite song is by Blackmore's Night. Here's the lyrics:
Olde Village Lanterne
Don't shed a tear for me
I stand alone
This path of destiny
Is all my own
Once in the hands of fate
There is no choice
An echo on the wind
You'll hear my voice...
Some choose to fall behind
Some choose to lead
Some choose a golden path
Laden with greed
But it's the noble heart
That makes you strong
And in that heart, I'm with you all along...
The olde village lanterne
Is calling me onward
Leading wherever I roam
The olde village lanterne
A light in the dark
Bringing me closer to home...
So when you think of me
Do so with pride
Honor and bravery
Ruled by my side
And in your memory
I will remain
I will forever be within the flame...
Now at the journey's end
We've traveled far
And all we have to show
Are battle scars
But in the love we shared
We will transcend
And in that love, our journey never ends...