Dancer And The Moon by Blackmore's Night, out on Frontier Records now.

Rock guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore h created his own medieval band of merry minstrels and in this latest album we have the themes of fairytales and the changing seasons.

In the dark ages folklore and the element were crucial to daily life and this is explored through Dancer And The Moon opening with Think It's Going To Rain with the crystal voice of Ritchie's wife Candice Night showcased against the phenomenal guitar of the master.

Troika is a passionate and patriotic tribute to old Russia, telling tales on bitter winter nights around a roaring fire.

Somewhere Over The Sea is my favourite track with Ritchie in full flow reminiscent of his Deep Purple and rainbow Days.

The title track Dancer And The Moon is very Greek in feel, all handclapping and plate smashing exuberance while the Ashgrove is a pre and sweetly sung version of the classic..

The Lost Leaf is an old English ballad and Lady In Black is a folk song of pipes and flute, hauntings and ghostly visions.

The Temple of Kings is all power, glory and fight with Ritchie's rock guitar at its heart.

Minstrels In The Hall is an instrumental conjuring up lords and ladies at dinner in the court of King Arthur being entertained by the best musicians in the land.

The Moon Is Shining showcases the guitarist's love of renaissance music which he rates alongside Buddy Holly.

The album closes with Ritchie in Gary More mood squeezing every last ounce of feeling from the strings of his guitar in Carry On ... Jon. It leave you breathless.

All through this box of delights are tunes finely textured from gossamer to the rough hewn but enduring hessian. - Flicky Harrison