Holiday-Folk Review: Blackmore's Night-Winter Carols

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

Blackmore’s Night is ready to usher in the Holiday season with their latest release Winter Carols. They do it all like nobody else and that one factor makes it more intriguing. The perspective listener has an opportunity to enjoy some seasonal music in an entirely different way.

This band has had me mesmerized since day one. Richie Blackmore’s incredible guitar and his wife Candace Night who sings like an angel every step of the way, it just sweeps me away. Her voice is so warm and positive you cannot resist smiling and tapping your feet to all their music.

For me it takes awhile to get into the spirit of the Holidays every year because of the overuse of commercialism pushing over eating and over spending. I can forget about all that and focus on the music and those I love. I get there with a little help from these wonderful musicians delivering their very special music into my home. I have a lot of different emotions this time of year for many different reasons. Music helps me to smile inside and heal any hurt I may be feeling while thinking about those I have lost over the years.

This two CD set is a great way to kick off the Holiday’s and it did just that for me. Blackmore’s Night has a special blend of rock, folk and Celtic that takes the nod from some ancient tunes.  What is the best part of that? It is putting their own flavor and spin on the tracks and taking you on quite a musical journey to enjoy. They create a lot of their own music however they have reworked some from songs that were written centuries ago as well.

If all this great music was not enough, Candace sings “Christmas Eve” in German, and perfectly I might add. This is a band of musical perfectionist that know how to get it done in one take. If you listen to tracks from “Live from Minstrel Hall” you hardly can tell the difference between the polished studio work and live recordings. Of course, the live music allows for some interesting improvisation on more than one occasion. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live and it is truly an incredible experience.

Blackmore is a real craftsman and a master of the six-string. His acoustic playing is perfected and beautiful. Every once in a while, he cuts loose on the electric guitar reminding everyone that he can still rock if he chooses to. I always have enjoyed this music and prior to this band Deep Purple and Rainbow, in fact I still enjoy it all. 

Winter Carols is not only a worldwide tribute to Christmas it is a portrait of musical history intermingled with modern technologies. It is everything that I could have asked for to persuade me into the joy and love of the upcoming Holidays. I have a lot to be grateful for and that includes amazing music from one of the best bands in the world.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 6, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Tracks:
CD 1:
01. Deck the Halls
02. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
03. Oh Christmas Tree
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
05. I Saw Three Ships
06. Winter (Basse Dance)
07. Ding Dong Merrily on High
08. Ma-o-Tzur
09. Good King Wenceslas
10. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts
11. We Three Kings
12. Wish You Were Here
13. Emmanuel
14. Christmas Eve
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

CD2:
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful (Live from Minstrel Hall)
17. Emmanuel (Live from Minstrel Hall)
18. We Three Kings (Live from Minstrel Hall)
19. Ma-o-Tzur (Live from Minstrel Hall)
20. Good King Wenceslas (Live from Minstrel Hall)
21. Christmas Eve (2013 Version)
22. Christmas Eve (German Radio Edit)
23. Christmas Eve (English & German Radio Edit)
24. Christmas Eve (English Radio Edit)

Holiday-Folk Review: Blackmore's Night-Winter Carols

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

Blackmore’s Night is ready to usher in the Holiday season with their latest release Winter Carols. They do it all like nobody else and that one factor makes it more intriguing. The perspective listener has an opportunity to enjoy some seasonal music in an entirely different way.

This band has had me mesmerized since day one. Richie Blackmore’s incredible guitar and his wife Candace Night who sings like an angel every step of the way, it just sweeps me away. Her voice is so warm and positive you cannot resist smiling and tapping your feet to all their music.

For me it takes awhile to get into the spirit of the Holidays every year because of the overuse of commercialism pushing over eating and over spending. I can forget about all that and focus on the music and those I love. I get there with a little help from these wonderful musicians delivering their very special music into my home. I have a lot of different emotions this time of year for many different reasons. Music helps me to smile inside and heal any hurt I may be feeling while thinking about those I have lost over the years.

This two CD set is a great way to kick off the Holiday’s and it did just that for me. Blackmore’s Night has a special blend of rock, folk and Celtic that takes the nod from some ancient tunes.  What is the best part of that? It is putting their own flavor and spin on the tracks and taking you on quite a musical journey to enjoy. They create a lot of their own music however they have reworked some from songs that were written centuries ago as well.

If all this great music was not enough, Candace sings “Christmas Eve” in German, and perfectly I might add. This is a band of musical perfectionist that know how to get it done in one take. If you listen to tracks from “Live from Minstrel Hall” you hardly can tell the difference between the polished studio work and live recordings. Of course, the live music allows for some interesting improvisation on more than one occasion. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live and it is truly an incredible experience.

Blackmore is a real craftsman and a master of the six-string. His acoustic playing is perfected and beautiful. Every once in a while, he cuts loose on the electric guitar reminding everyone that he can still rock if he chooses to. I always have enjoyed this music and prior to this band Deep Purple and Rainbow, in fact I still enjoy it all. 

Winter Carols is not only a worldwide tribute to Christmas it is a portrait of musical history intermingled with modern technologies. It is everything that I could have asked for to persuade me into the joy and love of the upcoming Holidays. I have a lot to be grateful for and that includes amazing music from one of the best bands in the world.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 6, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write A Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks:
CD 1:
01. Deck the Halls
02. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
03. Oh Christmas Tree
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
05. I Saw Three Ships
06. Winter (Basse Dance)
07. Ding Dong Merrily on High
08. Ma-o-Tzur
09. Good King Wenceslas
10. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts
11. We Three Kings
12. Wish You Were Here
13. Emmanuel
14. Christmas Eve
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

CD2:
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful (Live from Minstrel Hall)
17. Emmanuel (Live from Minstrel Hall)
18. We Three Kings (Live from Minstrel Hall)
19. Ma-o-Tzur (Live from Minstrel Hall)
20. Good King Wenceslas (Live from Minstrel Hall)
21. Christmas Eve (2013 Version)
22. Christmas Eve (German Radio Edit)
23. Christmas Eve (English & German Radio Edit)
24. Christmas Eve (English Radio Edit)

PROG Magazine Premieres New Video By Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles!

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 20 years, is releasing their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions. The first of four videos is for the song “Clouds Motion” from Aisles' debut studio album, “The Yearning.” Says Aisles guitarist, Germán Vergara, “The reason why we chose to record 'Clouds Motion' is because, even though it's one of our oldest tunes, to this day it still represents all of us and it is one of the favorite songs of the audience that has followed us from the beginning of our career.”

UK's PROG Magazine has premiered Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”: http://teamrock.com/news/2017-12-05/watch-aisles-perform-clouds-motion-live-in-the-studio

Director Bernardo Quesney, renowned for his work with Chilean rock and pop artists like Gepe and Javiera Mena adds: “I had never worked with a band so meticulous in the performance of their music. Their songs are a journey, as they are not just about seeing Aisles play, but there is an actual musical conversation and a challenge between the instruments.”

Watch Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”:

Aisles are currently closing the promotion cycle of “Hawaii,” their most successful album to date. “Hawaii” has been highly acclaimed by Chile's most important radio station (Futuro), by South America's largest rock magazine (Rockaxis) and by international media outlets such as PROG (UK), Neoprog (France) and All About the Rock (UK). In October 2016, the band visited Europe for the second time in their career, playing shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England. In 2017, Aisles went on their first US and Mexico tours, with appearances at Progstock (New Jersey), Progtoberfest (Chicago), and Fest Prog Jazz (Mexico City). Additionally, the band performed at the Marillion Weekend Chile and opened for Dutch prog legends Focus in Santiago.

Check out Aisles free compilation album download: http://bit.do/aisles-compilation

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

On Saturday December 9th, Aisles will be streaming their live show from Valparaíso at 9:00 PM CLST, 5:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM EST on this link: www.facebook.com/rockaxisonline



Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/
Upside Down video:

Club Hawaii lyric video:

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

PROG Magazine Premieres New Video By Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles!

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 20 years, is releasing their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions. The first of four videos is for the song “Clouds Motion” from Aisles' debut studio album, “The Yearning.” Says Aisles guitarist, Germán Vergara, “The reason why we chose to record 'Clouds Motion' is because, even though it's one of our oldest tunes, to this day it still represents all of us and it is one of the favorite songs of the audience that has followed us from the beginning of our career.”

UK's PROG Magazine has premiered Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”: http://teamrock.com/news/2017-12-05/watch-aisles-perform-clouds-motion-live-in-the-studio

Director Bernardo Quesney, renowned for his work with Chilean rock and pop artists like Gepe and Javiera Mena adds: “I had never worked with a band so meticulous in the performance of their music. Their songs are a journey, as they are not just about seeing Aisles play, but there is an actual musical conversation and a challenge between the instruments.”

Watch Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”:

Aisles are currently closing the promotion cycle of “Hawaii,” their most successful album to date. “Hawaii” has been highly acclaimed by Chile's most important radio station (Futuro), by South America's largest rock magazine (Rockaxis) and by international media outlets such as PROG (UK), Neoprog (France) and All About the Rock (UK). In October 2016, the band visited Europe for the second time in their career, playing shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England. In 2017, Aisles went on their first US and Mexico tours, with appearances at Progstock (New Jersey), Progtoberfest (Chicago), and Fest Prog Jazz (Mexico City). Additionally, the band performed at the Marillion Weekend Chile and opened for Dutch prog legends Focus in Santiago.

Check out Aisles free compilation album download: http://bit.do/aisles-compilation

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

On Saturday December 9th, Aisles will be streaming their live show from Valparaíso at 9:00 PM CLST, 5:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM EST on this link: www.facebook.com/rockaxisonline



Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/
Upside Down video:

Club Hawaii lyric video:

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

PROG Magazine Premieres New Video By Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles!

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 20 years, is releasing their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions. The first of four videos is for the song “Clouds Motion” from Aisles' debut studio album, “The Yearning.” Says Aisles guitarist, Germán Vergara, “The reason why we chose to record 'Clouds Motion' is because, even though it's one of our oldest tunes, to this day it still represents all of us and it is one of the favorite songs of the audience that has followed us from the beginning of our career.”

UK's PROG Magazine has premiered Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”: http://teamrock.com/news/2017-12-05/watch-aisles-perform-clouds-motion-live-in-the-studio

Director Bernardo Quesney, renowned for his work with Chilean rock and pop artists like Gepe and Javiera Mena adds: “I had never worked with a band so meticulous in the performance of their music. Their songs are a journey, as they are not just about seeing Aisles play, but there is an actual musical conversation and a challenge between the instruments.”

Watch Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”:

Aisles are currently closing the promotion cycle of “Hawaii,” their most successful album to date. “Hawaii” has been highly acclaimed by Chile's most important radio station (Futuro), by South America's largest rock magazine (Rockaxis) and by international media outlets such as PROG (UK), Neoprog (France) and All About the Rock (UK). In October 2016, the band visited Europe for the second time in their career, playing shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England. In 2017, Aisles went on their first US and Mexico tours, with appearances at Progstock (New Jersey), Progtoberfest (Chicago), and Fest Prog Jazz (Mexico City). Additionally, the band performed at the Marillion Weekend Chile and opened for Dutch prog legends Focus in Santiago.

Check out Aisles free compilation album download: http://bit.do/aisles-compilation

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

On Saturday December 9th, Aisles will be streaming their live show from Valparaíso at 9:00 PM CLST, 5:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM EST on this link: www.facebook.com/rockaxisonline



Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/
Upside Down video:

Club Hawaii lyric video:

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com