Blackmore's Night - "Paris Moon" DVD Review

It's been over 10 years since Ritchie Blackmore left the final incarnation of Rainbow to form Blackmore's Night - a fusion of Renaissance music, folk music, and rock and roll that really can't be classified as any one of them, yet has elements of all of them. Paris Moon captures the band live during their first trip to France at the famed Olympia Theatre in Paris.

Led by vocalist Candice Night, Paris Moon features two hours of highlights from the band's entire catalog including "Play Minstrel Play," "World of Stone," "Renaissance Faire" - a sort of call-to-arms for the band's fans, many of whom, like the members of Blackmore's Night, dress in Renaissance-period clothing and "Ariel" featuring Blackmore on his famous Fender Stratocaster - the guitar itself getting an ovation.

The band also runs through a number of cover songs, including Jethro Tull's "Rainbow Blues," Joan Baez' "Diamonds and Rust," Joan Osborne's "Saint Teresa," and even a song from the David Coverdale-era of Deep Purple, "Soldier of Fortune." Night teases the crowd before "Soldier," saying, "you might have heard a rumor that Ritchie was in one or two bands before this one." Night makes the songs her own with her haunting, emotive vocals.

All of the musicians in Blackmore's Night are given their chance to shine during the show and their love for this music is apparent - especially Night, who is beaming throughout.

The DVD has several audio options, including 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS and 2.0 stereo. The DVD features a short documentary about the band where Blackmore describes the "snobbery" he and Night deal with from fans of Renaissance, folk, and rock music who complain that it isn't really any of those. What the band is trying to create is something new out of familiar elements. Also included is a photo gallery with photos from the show, set to "Streets of London," sung by Night in French.

Included with the DVD is a CD containing nine tracks from the concert, as well as a studio version of "The Village Lanterne" and a radio edit of "All Because of You."

Captured in widescreen, Paris Moon is beautifully filmed and with its Renaissance-themed stage show, is as much a joy to watch as the songs are to listen to. For fans of Ritchie Blackmore, or of Blackmore's Night, Paris Moon is a must-own DVD.