Blackmore's Night - Winter Carols

Entertaining cross between rock and Renaissance.

Candice Night has one of those clean, clear voices that is well suited to any type of music. Ritchie Blackmore has the ability to get the most out of a guitar (electric or acoustic) or a mandolin or pretty much anything with strings attached to it.

The combination makes Blackmore's Night's Winter Carols a welcome change from the typical radio station/shopping mall variety of holiday music.

There's a nice mix of simple acoustic and lush orchestral arrangements, sometimes within the same song. Even the perennial "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is delivered like they actually mean it.

The reasoning behind the album's title is clear. Along with traditional Christmas carols, there is a Hanukkah song, "Ma-O-Tzur" and a "Lord of the Dance/Simple Gifts" medley.

The pair's longtime interest in Renaissance music is overt on tracks like "Winter (Basse Dance)" and more subtly infuses the arrangements of cuts like "I Saw Three Ships" and "Good King Wenceslas."

If your tastes in Christmas music run toward the less traditional, Winter Carols will make a nice addition to your collection.