June 2004

Candice,

Congratualtions and thanks for the phantastic music you and Ritchie share with us. Past times with Good Company is a fantastic example of brilliant live music, I've got to come and see you when you perform in Schloßburg, Solingen, again. I have never managed it until now.

Here's just a quick question that has been bugging me a while now. It has often been stated that Ritchie can speak German fluently. Can he?
I know he spent a number of years in good old Germany, which I can understand being british myself and living in Germany for 20 years now, but that doesn't always mean one can speak the lingo. No harm meant and I hope no harm is taken.

By the way... I sent a note to Ritchie a number of years back and I received a reply that really really made my day and I'd love to say thanks. Oh and when your both over here again you've got to try Altmünstener Brauerbier, great stuff, I recommend it.

All the best,

Simon Goss

Hello Simon
To answer your question, Ritchie has spent many years in Germany. He lived in Hamburg for a while -during the old Star Club days- before moving back to England and then onto America. It's surely no secret that he has often said that he feels a strong connection to Germany- perhaps even a past life connection. We go back every year and are constantly entranced by the landscape, the "fachwerk", the orange roofs and quaint picturesque villages, and the friends that we have made there over the years. Ritchie often says that he is a bit rusty with the language and the more time we spend there, the more comes back to him, but we are usually not in Germany for more than a month in a year since there are so many other places we need to be in to tour. But although he may say that he isn't as fluent as he should be, he understands much more of the language than you would think he does... He even watches German television every day on the satellite dish at home!
We will be heading back over to Germany very soon..I hope that you are able to make one of the shows.
Best,
Candice

I am Raduga. Actually, I live in Moscow, but in my dreams I always present in a beautiful castle. I have been an admirer of Ritchie for a very long time. The creative work of Rainbow and Deep Purple appeals to me very much.
I apprehended Ritchie's new image of a medieval knight with great pleasure as well.
In my former life I feel that I lived in a medieval England. I adore old ballads to much extend.
Finally last year my dream came true. I visited your concert. It was one of the best concerts I have ever heard, and in general I can call it one of the strongest impressions in my life. The stage was very beautiful. But without any doubts the main decoration of the stage you were. Your voice is fantastic. I can feel this positive energy which you originate. I enjoy the lyrics of your song. I find it wonderful that you are so different from others. It is very valuable what you are creating in the epoch of
common bad taste and triviality.
Hope very much that you were not disappointed with our country and I will see you and Ritchie again in Moscow or in a beautiful castle in Germany.
I wish you to be as beautiful and full of joy as you are. Success attends you while working at a new album BN, and your solo album.
More beautiful songs, nice stories, hillarious parties!
You and Ritchie are always in my heart.
I would like to know who you would imagine yourself to be if you live during Medieval period:
a minstrel's wife, a queen, a noble lady or a common peasant? Or, maybe, even a witch or an enchantress?
I would also like to learn when your birthday is and if you felt a spiritual connection with Russia, the motherland of your ancestors?

Best wishes!
Raduga.

Hello dear Raduga,
Thank you for your letter. What interesting comments and questions...It means so very much to me to know that you were so deeply moved at our concert. Music is the great accentuator of emotions- a bit of a puppet master pulling on our heart strings. I feel each song throughout my whole being as I sing to you...and I am so pleased to know that you feel them as deeply as I...Hold onto the positivity...it seems to be fading fast in this world, but there are a few very bright lights shining the way that refuse to yield to the negativity that surrounds. Always follow those lights.
I know it is far, but I do hope that you will be able to see our concert in St. Petersburg, or perhaps even Kiev this year.
The funny thing is, with Ritchie, he is very distant from the medieval knight..he feels much more comfortable as the minstrel in the wood. Sitting below the great trees, playing his guitar to the birds or the moon.
Now, how would I see myself...this is difficult. I know certainly not a noblewoman with finery- I prefer barefeet to designer shoes! If it were a fantasy time period, I would say in the wood amongst the fairies , with a unicorn by my side. Admiring fireflies and moonbeams. But I know that it was probably more of a simple girl- perhaps a milk maid, perhaps the minstrel's "minstrelette" as in this life. That title and place seems to feel the most comfortable- the most "right"... what would I do with out our music? I can't even think about it. Through creating our music I suppose, for those who enjoy, who are enchanted and feel it completely, who fall under the spell...that completes the idea of enchantress...in a way...And as far as "witch"is concerned...don't we all use aromatherapy, herbalism (even in teas!), visualization (wanting something so much you can see it!), and candles...all part of the "olde craft" - funny isn't it?
As far as your question about Russia- I have such a deep range of emotions when I go there. I have yet to visit Odessa, where my grandfather is from, but the feel of Russia is so strong for me. A sadness, a reality, the beautiful crafts, the amazing lacquer fairytale boxes- I read the stories of the fairy tales before I sleep at night, there is such depth to your country... Gone With The Wind was actually a song that I wrote about my grandmother when she lived through the pogroms and they burned her village to the ground- perhaps that's where the sadness I feel comes from. But I felt that the true Russia could be seen out the windows of the train from Moscow to St Petersburg. The real countryside, the mist, the small homes- that to me felt more like what I thought Russia would be like. Although one of our favorite restaurants is in the city of Moscow- I always feel as if you have to leave the city to see the real place. So that was what Russia really was for me.
As a side note- Did you know that last time we played in Moscow I got food poisoning and a local doctor had to come in to my dressing room 15 minutes before I stepped on stage to give me an injection so I would stop getting sick? Whatever he did worked- and Iwas able to go on... most people don't know that story... thought I'd share it!
Anyway, thank you for your questions, and the beauty of your letter...
Much love,
Candice

Hi Candice

First of all I had to thank you and Ritchie for all your beautiful music...It keeps me warm in those winterdays...

I'm just wondering in what language you are singing in Mid-Winters Night...It's English of course, but the other?

Thanks for everything that your music gives to me...

With love,
Magnus from Sweden

Hello Magnus,
The 1st part of the song is sung in Provencial French language. The original name of the song is "Marie Lo Companion" and we got it from a band called the Terra Nova Consort which is a great Renaissance band that performs gypsy type music. They are from San Francisco.
Hope to see you when we play Stockholm this year!
Thank you for listening..
Love,
Candice

Best regards,
Slava

Dear Slava,
Ah, but I do know where your distant country is...it will not be so distant to me when we play there, for you, in Kiev on June 17th at the Palace!! (see http://www.blackmoresnight.com/tour_info.html for more details...) And yes, the Renaissance dream is still alive! And for enthusiasm...you should celebrate it , not apologize for it, it is a beautiful emotion...
Much love and hope to see you soon in Kiev!
Candice

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