I’ve been a fan of Loreena McKennitt for over 20 years so this isn’t going to be an objective review. I own all her CDs and I’ve seen her in concert twice (wonderful performances!). This new CD, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, explores folk songs and traditional music. One of the songs, “Down By the Sally Gardens,” uses a W. B. Yeats poem for its lyrics. I love Loreena McKennitt’s voice and the backup musicians are very strong on this CD. If you like folk and traditional music, you’re going to like The Wind That Shakes the Barley. This CD would make a great stocking stuffer! GRADE: A
SET LIST:
1. As I Roved Out
2. On a Bright May Morning
3. Brian Boru’s March
4. Down By the Sally Gardens
5. The Star of the County Down
6. The Wind that Shakes the Barley
7. The Death of Queen Jane
8. The Emigration Tunes
9. The Parting Glass
I need a good classical suggestion for Phil. Especially something Arvo Parte or Philip Glass- like. Have any ideas?
The Very Best of Arvo Part on EMI is very good, Patti. For some very atmospheric music, you might consider Black Sands by Bonobo. You can hear samples of Black Sands on AMAZON.
Patti, you might also look at the music of Michael Torke as a possibility.