I’ve been a fan of Loreena McKennitt’s brand of World music for decades so factor that into this review. This new 2-CD collection features one disk of “retrospective” music from McKennitt’s previous CDs, The Mask and the Mirror, An Ancient Muse, The Book of Secrets, and The Visit. Consider it a Greatest Hits of Loreena McKennitt collection. The second CD is a series of live performances that sound fabulous. Loreena McKennitt’s clear, lilting voice never fails to delight me. If you haven’t listened to Loreena McKennitt, this is the perfect place to start. GRADE: A
Disc: 1
1. Mystic Dream
2. Tango to Evora
3. Gates of Istanbul
4. Penelope’s Song
5. Marco Polo
6. Marrakesh Night Market
7. Santiago
8. Caravanserai
9. Dark Night of the Soul
10. Sacred Shabbat
11. Mummer’s Dance [Single Version]
Disc: 2
1. Gates of Istanbul
2. Dark Night of the Soul
3. Marco Polo
4. Penelope’s Song
5. Sacred Shabbat
6. Caravanserai
7. Santiago
8. Beneath a Phyrgian Sky
9. Tango to Evora
10. Full Circle
I’m not familiar with this musician / artist / singer, so I listened to the 20 second or so clips on iTunes. Sounds sort of Celtic, sort of World. Looks like A Midwinter Night’s Dream is a Christmas / holiday season album. What I don’t quite understand is the reason for the album you review here, as there appears to be nothing new on it. I guess it’s a greatest hits (as you say) and Live rehash, to sell more records, certainly a worthy goal for any entertainer.
I’m intrigued enough to try an album, but since I’m not much of one for live (too much audience “participation” recordings, I’ll take a studio album. But which one?
THE VISIT has always been a favorite Loreena McKennitt CD of mine, Rick.
Done.