Loreena McKennitt - The Visit

Mixing a variety of styles with a Celtic base, this was McKennitt's breakthrough album and remains one of her most musically interesting. "All Souls Night" begins the album, with dance-like rhythms and McKennitt's wonderful voice singing about the Celtic New Year. Other features include a musical setting of Tennyson's "Lady of Shalott", which, while not as sophisticated as Noyes' "The Highwayman" on The Book of Secrets, is an enchanting listen. There's also an interesting rendition of "Greensleeves" and the Spanish-flavored "Tango to Evora", as well as the haunting "Courtyard Lullaby" and the wistful "The Old Ways". A setting of words from Shakespeare's Cymbeline closes the album, which focuses thematically on life, death, and the borders between them. --Genevieve Williams Amazon.com essential recording

nothing better

It's very simply this: If there's such a place as heaven, and if in heaven
there are such things as Angels, and if these Angels sing, Loreena McKennett is what they sound like. September 27, 2008

Haunting yet mesmerizing as only Loreena can do!

I became a L.M. fan years ago. The first time I heard her haunting voice I was instantly hooked. This wasn't the first CD I bought of hers, but it has to be my very favorite. I never grow tired of it and while I listen, her calming voice and soothing music take me to a far off place...a relaxing place that is nowadays, so rare. She has the ability to lift my spirits instantly. I love all of Loreena's music and I will be a fan of hers for life. August 20, 2008

Portal to the Past

The music of Loreena McKennitt in the album "The Visit" continues her tradition of evoking the past through her distinctive voice and her use of ancient intrumentation. "The Visit" draws upon Celtic Myth, the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson and the words of William Shakespeare. The rich variety of lyric impulses transports the listener to another time and another place. Loreena McKennitt's music is always a journey to somewhere. June 4, 2008

Haunting Celtic Maiden

Am a mad Tango fiend and track 6 of this CD is one of our favourite tracks to dance to. So I bought this CD for one track - but the rest of it proved both enticing and addictive. Loreena's haunting voices imparts a strong Celtic influence to the tracks BUT they all have an "International" appeal. Traditional Celtic songs are mixed with Sitar music and as mentioned earlier a Tango. This is a wonderful fusion of styles. A bit more like Eva Cassidy than Enya - Loreena uses her voice in clear long notes that are delicately enwrapped by the instrumentation - just enough background music to frame her eerie vocal technique. If you are impressed by clear vocal sound, you WILL enjoy this CD. Arthur/Brisbane. February 13, 2008

Being Visited

This was the first of Loreena's albums that I ever heard, way back in 1992. It always played in a room at a bookstore that friends and I used to visit, and seemed to be 'calling' to us to that room; drawn by the mystica verve of the tunes. Finally, I bought it; and it opened a whole world to me; a realm of textured sound, sensuous thought, and aesthetic harmony--yet not "New Age." There are deep rhythms here, and a flow that makes the CD as a whole seem like one, unified, artistic creation; all of the tracks hang together, creating a melancholy yet en-spiriting experience that may well lead the listener to meditative centering, trancing or perhaps even inspired circle dancing. It lifts me up when I'm down, and brings me to the vortex when I'm strung out in too many directions. A healing album, as well as one that stirs the imagination. By all means, experience this one! October 18, 2007

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