The prolific pairing of 70s guitar God {$Ritchie Blackmore} and singer {$Candice Night} reaches its fourth studio release with 2003's {^Ghost of a Rose}. And, as proven by previous outings, much more than an excuse to dress up in cute medieval costumes for photographs set in a world of kings, peasants and knights (well, Long Island, anyway), {$Blackmore's Night} is a chance to break the mold of pop and rock idioms and try pretty much anything the duo's hearts' may desire. To wit, curious opener {&"Way to Mandalay"} sounds like a cross between {^Rainbow Rising}'s {&"Tarot Woman"} (see opening synths) and {$Madonna}'s very Latin {&"La Isla Bonita"}! And that's just the beginning as ensuing numbers like {&"3 Black Crowes,"} {&"Ivory Tower"} and {&"Loreley"} find Mr. {$Blackmore}, {$Night} (a.k.a. Mrs. Blackmore), and their merry band happily indulging their kinks for medieval madrigals, gothic ballads and sprightly, danceable folk tunes. In-between, they also find time to reconstruct the {$Joan Baez} standard {&"Diamonds and Rust,"} and feature a few {$Blackmore} acoustic guitar solos such as {&"Nur eine Minute"} and {&"Mr. Peagram's Morris and Sword,"} which he performs on an antique mandolin. Also, particular evocative are the wistful {&"Dandelion Wine,"} the quite grand title track (inspired by cellist {$Jacqueline du Pre} and classical English composer {$Edward Elgar}), and the hauntingly beautiful {&"Where are we going from Here."} And, then there's a surprisingly rocking rendition of {$Jethro Tull}'s obscure b-side {&"Rainbow Blues"} that sees {$Ritchie} in full, electrified flight -- yet another sign that {$Blackmore's Night} have much to offer eclectic music listeners willing to leave their prejudices at the door. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide