Loreena McKennitt, a musical traveler.
Ranked #1,023 in Entertainment, #28,433 overall | Donates to Room to Read
Her music is like a travel log as she puts it herself. I enjoy traveling along with her, through her music. It is interesting to note that Loreena started running her own business from her kitchen table, and still is to this day quite a businesswoman! Music can really take you to the most unexpected places...
(For more about Loreena's personality, scroll down to "Loreena shares some of her thought")
Loreena online.
- Quinlan Road, Loreena's official site!
- This is THE place on the web to check out if you love, or simply are curious about, Loreena McKennitt. There just seems to be everything there. Audio, video, personnal comments, news, goodies, downloads... Go now!!
And you have a choice of 14 different languages! - The Loreena McKennitt Journey
- A good fan site -there aren't that many so far, sad...- with lots of interesting stuff if you would just take a moment to check it out thoroughly. For example, look all the way down the discography section and you'll find more than just the albums. Links to other sites, but some are just not being kept alive.
- Loreena's latest concert on PBS!!
- The PBS page of Loreena's concert at the Alhambra in sept 2006. Find out all about this magical event.
Exclusively on Quinlan Road website, an Irish compilation
"Just in time for the Irish month of March and St. Patrick's Day, Quinlan Road has put together a compilation of 10 of Loreena's songs, all with distinctly Irish themes. You can now have many of her Irish songs in one convenient place. The compilation is available in a variety of formats: as a digital download through iTunes, or as a medium or high-fidelity download through Loreena's own Quinlan Road website. You can download the entire album or individual songs. While supplies last, this special compilation is also available in CD format exclusively through the Quinlan Road Shop, for those of you who might like to play it in your car."
A Mummer's Dance Through Ireland, track listing
Bonny Portmore
Stolen Child
Huron 'Beltane' Fire Dance
She Moved Through the Fair
Dickens' Dublin (The Palace)
The Mummers' Dance (Single Version)
Come by the Hills
Lark in the Clear Air
The Old Ways
Never-ending Road (Amhrán Duit)
"A Midwinter Night's Dream"
Here is Loreena's personal musing on her latest album:"The seasons have always held their mysteries and wonders, and we mere mortals have been fascinated by them and driven to understand our inter-relationship with the natural world, as we try to discover the spiritual and religious significance of it all. Over the centuries, music has become a conduit for that reflection as it strives to capture the interweave of our existence. This recording is one modest rendering of that fascination, a kind of discovery chest of musical merry making, inspired by some traditions I have encountered along the way. May the spirit of love, joy and renewal be yours. ~ LM
Available now
It comes in different shapes and colors too! Note: for more info on the DVD included in the special packages, scroll down for a vid.
1. The Holly & The Ivy
2. Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
3. The Seven Rejoices of Mary
4. Noel Nouvelet!
5. Good King Wenceslas - Loreena McKennitt, Neale, John Mason
6. Coventry Carol
7. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [Abdelli Version]
8. Snow - Loreena McKennitt, McKennitt, Loreena
9. Breton Carol
10. Seeds of Love
11. Gloucestershire Wassail
12. Emmanuel
13. In the Bleak Midwinter - Loreena McKennitt, Holst, Gustav
A Midwinter Night's Dream
A gift-boxed edition, with CD, 'A Moveable Musical Feast' DVD, Christmas ornaments and postcards.
Amazon Price: $39.98 (as of 07/04/2009) 
List Price: $39.98
Midwinter Nights Dream
CD of the album, with the 'A Moveable Musical Feast ' DVD.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $32.99
A Midwinter Night's Dream
The CD, simple edition.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $18.98
Also out now.
Loreena's song, which pays homage to the wonders of Pixie Hollow, is called "To The Fairies They Draw Near." She sings during two key segments of the film and producers describe the song as "an enchanting aural illustration infused with old world, Celtic overtones."
In turn, the filmmakers "were so taken with the singer-songwriter's passion and her ethereal, other-worldly voice, they asked her to supply the film's voice of narration."
Have fun with this!
Tinker Bell
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
Loreena's first albums.
From 1985 to 1989.
Elemental
The journey began when Loreena fell in love with celtic music. Therefore, this first opus is truer to traditionnal celtic music than any other.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
To Drive the Cold Winter Away
A collection of Winter and Christmas Carols, some less known, recorded in three different locations, one of them an Irish monastery.
Amazon Price: $18.98 (as of 07/04/2009)
Parallel Dreams
Where Loreena goes beyond her first celtic source of inspiration, without abandonning it, and starts creating her own musical journey.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
Loreena shares some of her thoughts.
This is a small part of an article Loreena wrote to introduce herself on her official website.
"Certain principles have become my compass points. I reference them whenever I make important choices and decisions, professionally or personally. They are things to which I strive and am pleased to share some of them with you.- Be compassionate and never forget how to love
- Think inclusively
- Reclaim noble values such as truth, honesty, honour, courage.
- Respect one's elders and look to what they have to teach you
- Be empathetic
- Look after the less fortunate in society.
- Promote and protect diversity
- Respect the gifts of the natural world.
- Set your goals high and take pride in what you do.
- Cherish and look after your body, and, as the ancient Greeks believed, your mind will serve you better
- Put back into the community as there have been those before you have done the same and you are reaping what they sowed.
- Participate in and protect democracy. It does not thrive as a spectator sport.
- Undertake due diligence in everything
- Seek balance and space, and solitude.
- Don't be afraid to feel passionate about something
- Learn to be an advocate and an ambassador for good
- Be mindful of your limitations.
- Indulge and nurture your curiosity as it will keep you vital
- Take charge of your life and don't fall into the pit of entitlement.
- Assume nothing and take nothing for granted
- Things are not necessarily what they seem"
Our Muse glides on through the 90's.
Loreena adds more grace, colors and wisdom to her art throughout her journey...
The Visit
1991. Contains The Lady of Shalott, an Arthurian poem by Tennyson, magically put to music. Shakespeare settles in with Cymbelline. And we mourn the fact that The Old Ways Are Gone.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
The Mask and Mirror
1994. Loreena goes to Galicia, the part of Spain where the celtic influence is still found, and on to Morocco, broadening her musical trek. The Old Bard seems to have made himself at home too...
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
A Winter Garden: Five Songs For The Season
1995. Recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios. A second album for the Christmas Season, with a couple of classics and one with a distinct middle-eastern touch, to accompany the Wise Men on their journey.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2009)
The Book of Secrets
Another collection of separate, yet harmoniously set, jewels. A genuine hit single The Mummers Dance, a tragic tale in The Highwayman, then we follow Marco Polo's footsteps, gaze at Venice in La Serenissima and finally let Dante's words echo in our minds with Dante's Prayer, one of my personal favorites.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
Live in Paris and Toronto
1998 recordings, released in 1999. If you want to catch a glimpse of Loreena's albums of the 90's in one shot, get this double-cd. 17 tracks. All amazing.
Amazon Price: $24.98 (as of 07/04/2009)
The Mummer's Dance video, 1997.
The people dancing and playing music are celebrating Spring, an old celtic tradition.
Loreena casts her spell on the 21st century as well.
An Ancient Muse
After a relatively long pause, we follow our favorite muse in her pursuit of Those Who Travelled Far and Wide. Still following the Celt's wanderings, we also meet a Byzantine princess, listen to Peneloppe's Song of patient longing, find shelter in the Caravanserai. A poem by Sir Walter Scott The English Ladye And The Knight, is also put to music: an ongoing tradition. And there's more...
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
No Journey's End
This is a DVD. It contains a presentation of Loreena's musical journey, with interview and musings exerpts, live performances and two video clips (Bonny Swan and The Mummer's Dance). It has subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (and more). Many of her CDs are available in a special edition that includes this DVD, but you may also buy it separately, by clicking here. It's a perfect introduction to Loreena.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 07/04/2009)
A preview of the Nights from the Alhambra three discs set.
- Windows Media Preview.
- Windows Media Player link.
- Quicktime Preview.
- Quicktime link.
Nights from the Alhambra, Loreena in concert... in your living-room!
Loreena McKennitt: Nights from the Alhambra (Amaray - DVD + 2CD)
This is a three-disc set: two CDs and one DVD. So you can listen and/or watch! A terrific buy, well worth every penny.
Release Date: 08/21/2007
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
A great live performer, with top-quality musicians.
I hope many of you had the chance to catch Loreena on her Ancient Muse tour. If you did then you had the chance to appreciate her graceful presence and the great musicians that accompany her. Let's name a few:Brian Hughes, a jazz guitarist who plays several kinds of guitars and medieval string instruments.
Caroline Lavelle, the beautiful blonde cello player.
Hugh Marsh, the bald and simply amazing violonist.
Rick Shadrach Lazar, percusionist with a contagious smile.
Sokratis Sinopoulos, a very talented musician on various string instruments, mostly traditional.
Haig Yazdjan, another great musician on traditional string instruments, born in Syria.
Personal websites of some of the musicians who play with Loreena.
- Caroline Lavelle | Official Website
- Caronline Lavelle is often noticed, she is pretty as well as talented! Did you know she sang on an album by the great composer Vangelis? Didn't I say I knew everything? Ok, just kidding... the album is 'Voices', released in 1996. Look it up sometime...
- Hugh Marsh Official Site
- Some musicians make us think the word 'genius' before we're aware of it.
- Jazz Guitarist BrianHughes Official Website...
- Brian Hughes has been working closely with Loreena for years. He's a top notch guitar player, among other things.
- Samba Squad
- Rick Shadrach Lazar formed his own band. "In just four years SAMBA SQUAD has risen from a community based drumming school into one of the most dynamic and sought after acts on the Canadian world and Latin music scenes."
See for yourself...
Please share with me what makes you love Loreena's music!
MAJArch wrote...
I have been a fan of Loreena's for over 15 years, hearing her "Mask and Mirror" on college radio while working late in the studio. I had the pleasure of meeting her near her bus after her concert in Columbus, Ohio 2 years ago the night before my birthday! She was extremely nice and willing gave her private time to her fans.
I love her extraordinary music! Thanks for this lens.
Melissa
Posted February 19, 2009
MobyD wrote...
I found out about Loreena McKennitt around the time "The Visit" came out. Someone on an Enya forum said if I liked Enya, I'd probably like Loreena, and he was right! I look forward to each new release.
Posted August 20, 2008
Sofián wrote
Fan since 1991 or 1992 discovering 'The visit'. Recently, I attended a performance she and her incredible band gave in Santiago de Compostela, Spain -my very fist time hearing her voice live. How a great experience! I'm still amazed. I recommend her "Nights from the Alhambra" double CD and DVD (live performance wonderfully recorded). A must have.
And congratulations for this wepage!
Posted August 05, 2008
John H wrote
I was first introduced to Loreena's music by a fellow Canadian Robin Frye. I was totally amazed at the sonic landscapes and rich angelic vocals.
Her music shot through me like a jolt of lighting.
There is something very comforting listening to her. Her music pulled me through some very difficult times when I was touring. Much can be said for her unique weaving of sonic tapestries.
I know for myself the music provided a brief refuge from a very chaotic tour.
I really appreciate and marvel at this women's incrediable intelligence and her humanity. She is one of the most gracious people I have had the opportunity to meet. She is a excellent host, and pays much attention to the qualities of the conversation rather than the trappings of celebrity status. She is very much like a good friend. If anyone has the chance to speak with her after a concert i would encourage it, but please keep in mind that after a show she probably is pretty well spent, so respect her needs please.
Posted July 03, 2008
BigGirlBlue wrote...
I love Loreena. I have to replace a few of the original tapes (yes I said tapes) I have because they are so warn out. I first fell in love with Loreena in a 30s news brief about her music. It was instant love. Something in the music spoke to me.
Posted February 20, 2008
One more for the road...
by CLB
Enya's music seems to run and flow with my thoughts and dreams (see my other lens on Enya). Loreena does the same sometimes, but other times she&...
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