BLACKMORE’S NIGHT VOCALIST CANDICE NIGHT RELEASES DEBUT SOLO ALBUM,”REFLECTIONS,” ON UDR RECORDS

New album contains 10 original songs that explore lifelong influences ranging from contemporary pop to country music

Candice Night, who has been delighting audiences around the world for over 15 years as the vocalist for the Renaissance-themed band Blackmore’s Night, has released her debut solo album, REFLECTIONS. The new CD, comprising original material written by the multi-talented songwriter and instrumentalist, is available from UDR Records, distributed in the U.S. by EMI.

Often compared to the vocal prowess of Stevie Nicks and the haunting sensitivity of Karen Carpenter, Night’s talents transcend boundaries on REFLECTIONS. The ethereal vocal delivery that has become a trademark with Blackmore’s Night is still prevalent on REFLECTIONS, but the music has a more contemporary feel. Lifelong influences of folk, pop and country music are evident throughout, especially in catchy, radio friendly numbers like “Gone Gone Gone” and the lively dance of the electronic “Dangerous Smile,” exploring territory that is bound to be untouched by Blackmore’s Night.

“I am always getting new ideas,” says Candice Night. “When I had my two babies, I thought it would be difficult finding the time, but my children are so inspirational to me that the lyrics and music continuously flow. I am constantly inspired by nature, the magic and beauty of things that are around us all the time but many don’t even see.”

Candice Night has gathered many accolades with Blackmore’s Night: the 2009 album SECRET VOYAGE and the subsequent AUTUMN SKY both reached #1 on the Billboard Magazine New Age Chart, remaining on that chart for more than 40 weeks and earning “Best Vocal Album of the Year” honors from New Age and NPR radio stations. But for Candice, a desire to expand her songwriting became important to her. In fact, the idea of a solo album was first encouraged by her husband, Blackmore’s Night co-founder Ritchie Blackmore.

“I had so many lyrics, so many ideas backing up,” Night recently told Newsday, “and I came to Ritchie and said, ‘I need more music. Give me more music. I want to put these to songs.’ And he just looked me and said, ‘Come up with the music yourself because I’m kind of busy with what I’m doing.’ And I had never thought of that before. I thought, ‘Maybe I should do that.'”

Ritchie Blackmore was uninvolved in REFLECTIONS, giving Candice Night the space to indulge in her own creativity. However, her husband will always be an inspiration to her. “He has taught me so much,” she explains.

Candice Night met Ritchie Blackmore at a soccer game in 1989 when she was a radio station intern and the guitarist was still providing hard rock riffs for Deep Purple. Since then, she has received numerous awards and gold records for her songwriting efforts with Blackmore. In Blackmore’s Night, she has become an adept instrumentalist, playing medieval instruments as unique as the shawm and the rauschpfeife. Night has also appeared as guest vocalist on recordings by such artists as Helloween, Glenn Hughes and even William Shatner.

And now, with REFLECTIONS, Candice Night has shown that she can fly far on her own.