What does Dancer and the Moon sound like?

A whimsical blend of medieval melodies and contemporary folk, weaving intricate storytelling with lush instrumentation. Rooted in folk rock and medieval folk rock. Start with "I Think It’s Going to Rain Today".

Is Dancer and the Moon a good place to start with Blackmore's Night?

Yes, Dancer and the Moon is recommended as a starting point for new Blackmore's Night listeners. A whimsical blend of medieval melodies and contemporary folk, weaving intricate storytelling with lush instrumentation. Released in 2013, Dancer and the Moon is Blackmore's Night's sixth studio album, following their 2010 release, Autumn Sky. By this point in their career, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night had solidified their unique sound, blending rock with Renaissance influences, establishing themselves in the niche of medieval folk rock after years of experimentation since their debut in 1997.

Who is Dancer and the Moon for?

Dancer and the Moon works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, whimsical storytelling elements and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on Dancer and the Moon?

Dancer and the Moon has 13 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Dancer and the Moon

Blackmore's Night · 2013

53 min · 13 tracks · folk rock

A whimsical blend of medieval melodies and contemporary folk, weaving intricate storytelling with lush instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Think It’s Going to Rain Today Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Dancer and the Moon — The title track encapsulates the album's ethereal essence, blending enchanting vocals with intricate guitar work that reflects both nostalgia and whimsy.
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Carry On... Jon — This tribute to late Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord features heartfelt lyrics and a poignant melody, showcasing Blackmore's ability to blend personal loss with musical homage.
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Lady in Black — A haunting reinterpretation of Uriah Heep's classic, this track highlights Night's vocal prowess while maintaining the album's medieval flair through its arrangement.
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The Last Leaf — This track stands out for its reflective lyrics about loss and resilience, beautifully underscored by rich instrumentation that deepens its emotional impact.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends medieval and contemporary folk elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship but with some unevenness in composition.

What we noticed

The album opens with a cover of 'I Think It’s Going to Rain Today', which sets a reflective tone before moving into more upbeat tracks like 'Troika'.
Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, including strings and flutes, creating a rich, textured sound that complements the lyrical storytelling.
The title track 'Dancer and the Moon' features a shift in tempo and mood, introducing a dance-like rhythm that contrasts with the preceding ballads.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
whimsical storytelling elements
gradual builds and payoffs
late-night contemplative moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued artistic evolution and achieved chart success in later career.
Themes: medieval nostalgia· whimsical storytelling· personal loss tribute
Career context: Released in 2013, Dancer and the Moon is Blackmore's Night's sixth studio album, following their 2010 release, Autumn Sky. By this point in their career, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night had solidified their unique sound, blending rock with Renaissance influences, establishing themselves in the niche of medieval folk rock after years of experimentation since their debut in 1997.
Stylistic neighbors: Loreena McKennitt· Clannad· Enya