Starlight

Starlight Dancer (1977). Like fellow proggers Genesis, the late '70s saw Kayak make an abrupt shift to glossy but thin radio-friendly pop. Though Koopman remains as a lyricist and arranger, the rhythm section has been replaced by the quite conventional bassist Charles Schouten and drummer Theo DeJong. The ostinato bass and hi-hat on "I Want You to Be Mine," for one, smell strongly of a discothèque. "Ballad for a Lost Friend" shows an increasing predilection for Queen-like bombast by the guitarist, though it and "Still My Heart Cries for You" do revive some of the band's old aggressive sense of dynamics. But more typical is the bland closing instrumental "Irene." There's a certain coldness to the proceedings, and the band's virtuosity has been watered down for easy digestion. Though not a bad album on its own merits, it's likely to alienate fans of their early work…

Many know her as the front woman of Blackmore's Night where for the past 18 years she has been performing the songs she has co-written with her husband, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. With her 2nd solo offering, 'Starlight, Starbright', Night's vocal quality is richer than in years past, bringing you to a quiet and intimate place; a place of beauty and dreams, inspired by the birth of her children, Autumn (5) and Rory (3). 'I really felt just so completely full of love and part of this bigger picture, this miracle,' Night remembers. 'I wanted to sing to celebrate this incredible life that was occurring inside of me. I've never felt so spiritual.' On 'Starlight, Starbright' you will find new original melodies, some co-written and played with Ritchie Blackmore, some solo by Night.

I think its a great album, but definitely not for all fans of the first two. I didn't like it as much as the first two on my first listen, because it felt so different. But, after a few listens it began to grow on me and I can now appreciate all of the tracks found here, but for different reasons than the first albums. In the end though, I like it less than the first two albums, just because its not what I was looking for from the Black Mages. Hopefully, Nobuo was just getting some of this stuff out of the way so that he could really throw down with a solid 4th album that brings back the huge guitar pyrotechnics and heavy riffs!