Toby Atkin-Wright

We dined tonight to the sound of Blackmore’s Night and their 2006 album Winter Carols. Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night follow their usual pattern of traditional and modern songs performed in a folk-rock style, with a hint of the Renaissance in their use of historical instruments.

http://open.spotify.com/album/0TE1lT6CXHMjwdcfGzFkw1

Their sound is mellow and pleasant, but on many songs lacking in the passion and joy that one would associate with Christmas. And Ms Night has a nasty habit of singing too many notes for my taste — just stick to the tune, woman! Still, the album as a whole is an interesting addition to the Christmas catalogue, and worth a listen.

We dined tonight to the sound of Blackmore’s Night and their 2006 album Winter Carols. Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night follow their usual pattern of traditional and modern songs performed in a folk-rock style, with a hint of the Renaissance in their use of historical instruments.

http://open.spotify.com/album/0TE1lT6CXHMjwdcfGzFkw1

Their sound is mellow and pleasant, but on many songs lacking in the passion and joy that one would associate with Christmas. And Ms Night has a nasty habit of singing too many notes for my taste — just stick to the tune, woman! Still, the album as a whole is an interesting addition to the Christmas catalogue, and worth a listen.

This entry was originally posted at http://tobyaw.dreamwidth.org/168209.html.

Last weekend I picked up a couple of starter sets (and some booster packs) of the recently released Doctor Who Alien Armies trading card game. I’ve been playing it all week with Beth, and it has been a lot of fun. And a learning experience too — Beth has been reading the attack and defence attributes from the cards, and making a fair stab at many of the character names. We will end up knowing the names of all the characters in new Who, from The Christmas Invasion onwards.

The cards are quite pretty and well made, although they could do with having rounded corners, and the starter packs came with an album to keep the cards in, and checklists of all the cards. (A tin might be a better bet for speedy access to the cards; some shops have a tin set.)

Must buy more booster packs at the weekend.

Last weekend I picked up a couple of starter sets (and some booster packs) of the recently released Doctor Who Alien Armies trading card game. I’ve been playing it all week with Beth, and it has been a lot of fun. And a learning experience too — Beth has been reading the attack and defence attributes from the cards, and making a fair stab at many of the character names. We will end up knowing the names of all the characters in new Who, from The Christmas Invasion onwards.

The cards are quite pretty and well made, although they could do with having rounded corners, and the starter packs came with an album to keep the cards in, and checklists of all the cards. (A tin might be a better bet for speedy access to the cards; some shops have a tin set.)

Must buy more booster packs at the weekend.

This entry was originally posted at http://tobyaw.dreamwidth.org/168569.html.