DVD review from Prog Sheet 1 (2006)

Blackmore's Night - Castles & Dreams (SPV)
by John Wilcox

Grab your codpiece and rock, mate. Blackmore's Night is Ritchie Blackmore's renaissancy post Deep Purple, post Rainbow band that pairs the guitar legend with former Rainbow backing vocalist Candice Night. Amazingly, they've been around the bigger slice of a decade yet still under the radar of much of the public. It's a shame, as this is some quality music, folks. Castles & Dreams is a jam packed 2 DVD set. Disc 1 features an entire concert from 2004 plus a behind the scenes feature. As I was watching the behind the scenes feature, I heard a tantalizing cover of Jethro Tull's Rainbow Blues. I hope a full live version of this surfaces on video some day! Disc 2 has an acoustic set, promo videos, documentaries, and other bonus stuff.

The main concert has fine versions of Minstrel Hall, The Clock Ticks On, Cartouche, and Village On The Sand. Purple fans will enjoy Soldier Of Fortune, Black Night, and a chunk of Child In Time. Blackmore in inspired & inspiring. Every solo is memorable. Night has a soft, lovely voice well suited to the material. The crack band playing with them are flawless. I have seldom seen a DVD set with so much bonus material on it. This is a great set for a steal of a price!