Ex Deep Purple guitarist releasing holiday album

Original Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is getting in the holiday spirit with a collection of seasonal music, titled Winter Carols. The album, which he recorded with his renaissance-influenced group Blackmore's Night, reimagines well-known material such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." Blackmore said, "The origin of the word 'carol' means 'dance.' I am naturally attracted to these melodies. As a kid, I would go from house to house during the holiday time and sing them just to earn some money. As an adult, I thought I could play them and make more money!"

His wife, Blackmore's Night frontwoman Candice Night, said, "The holiday season has always embodied joy, love, peace and togetherness. We are entranced by the magic of the season. The sentiments of the holidays are what we try to express in our music year 'round -- so this CD is a natural progression." Winter Carols is due November 24th.

The tracklisting for Winter Carols includes "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful," "I Saw Three Ships," "Winter (Basse Dance)," "Ding Dong Merrily On High," "Ma-O-Tzur," "Good King Wenceslas," "Lord Of The Dance/Simple Gifts," "We Three Kings," "Wish You Were Here," "Emmanuel," "Christmas Eve," and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."