Diane and I have seen Loreena McKennitt in concert twice–both times very memorable. McKennitt is a Canadian singer and songwriter. I started listening to Loreena McKennitt’s music by listening to the Canadian radio stations back in the 1980s. Then I bought McKennitt’s albums and still listen to them regularly. My favorites are all from the 1990s: The Visit (1991), The Mask and the Mirror (1994), and The Book of Secrets (1997).
The music on A Midwinter’s Dream blends traditional Christmas music like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with new, original Christmas songs. You will delight in listening to McKennitt’s refined and clear soprano vocals.
In a comment on my review of Enya’s And Winter Came (you can read my review here), Jeff Smith recommended Loreena McKennit’s A Midwinter’s Dream–which I had already scheduled for today. Great minds think alike! GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
| The Holly & The Ivy | 4:49 | ||
| Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle | 3:06 | ||
| The Seven Rejoices Of Mary | 4:33 | ||
| Noël Nouvelet ! | 5:12 | ||
| Good King Wenceslas | 3:17 | ||
| Coventry Carol | 2:19 | ||
| God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Abdelli Version) | 7:20 | ||
| Snow | 5:06 | ||
| Breton Carol | 3:30 | ||
| Seeds Of Love | 4:54 | ||
| Gloucestershire Wassail | 2:39 | ||
| Emmanuel | 4:55 | ||
| In The Bleak Midwinter | 2:42 |
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”—my favorite Christmas carol (although, technically, a song for Advent)—seems to lend itself to the ethereal nature of voices like McKennit’s and Enya’s. I’ll have to check out this version.
Deb, I’m a big fan of music of ethereal nature. Enya and McKennitt hit my sonic Sweet Spot!
Thanks for the tip, George. I’ve had about enough of “Blue Christmas” for one year.
Dan, I’m with you on “Blue Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Over played. Did your CHRISTMAS BOX arrive?
I have a couple of her CDs but haven’t listened to them in a while.
Jeff, A MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM has captured both Jeff Smith and my Christmas listening.
I think you reran the Enya track list.
My favorites on the Loreena McKennit — and I’m limiting myself to three, when my actual list is 11 of the 13 — are Good King Wenceslas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Snow.
Jeff, thanks for the heads up on the Track List. That’s what happens when I work on posts Late At Night…