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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
The 'Book of Secrets' is a fantastic album. 'The Mummer's Dance' sets you on your way, and 'The Highwayman' tells a great tale of love and personal self sacrifice by the Inn keeper's daughter. I find that 'Dante's Prayer' provides the most haunting finish to a superb collection of songs, staying with me long after the album has played out. I've since picked up 2 more of Mckennitt's albums, Parallel Dreams' and 'The Mask and Mirror'. Mckennitt is in a class by her self with a most beautful voice to narrate the tale. If you are considering buying one of her albums, start with this one.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is far from Loreena McKennitt's first album, but it may be her breakthrough album. In this recording she has captured a glorious cross-section of Celtic-influenced international-themed songs. The 'chart topper' on the album is 'The Mummer's Dance', ironically not in the version that was heard on most American radio stations (that is a souped-up version released on CD-single, which was also used for the theme music for a short-lived television series called 'Legacy'). This has the rhythms, instrumentation and lyric qualities one has come to associate with modern Celtic tunes (a la Enya, Marie Brennan, Clannad, etc.).
Other songs are modern-day retellings of folk songs: 'The Highwayman' is a decidedly anti-British-occupation song, in which the heroine sacrifices her life to save her lover who is about to be trapped -- the Celtic peoples have learned from Roman times to the present to drink deep from the cup of sorrow, and this song (among others on the album)is a generous portion for that cup.
My favourite song, however, must be 'Skelling' -- it conjures up visions of monastic vows and solitude, a journey into life's vocation that requires both inward and outward travel far from home, never to return, but ultimately being content and safe in the community. Sweet and melancholy, the learned monk, reminiscent of Saint Francis for his love of animals, is essentially giving his final will and testament, a most spiritual treasure beyond valuing, from someone with vows of poverty.
Interspersed are several instrumental interludes, with differing characters (some decidedly oriental, others western, all however bearing a strong Celtic stamp).
This is a perfect introduction to McKennitt's work, but do not stop there. Her previous work is well worth exploring.
Other songs are modern-day retellings of folk songs: 'The Highwayman' is a decidedly anti-British-occupation song, in which the heroine sacrifices her life to save her lover who is about to be trapped -- the Celtic peoples have learned from Roman times to the present to drink deep from the cup of sorrow, and this song (among others on the album)is a generous portion for that cup.
My favourite song, however, must be 'Skelling' -- it conjures up visions of monastic vows and solitude, a journey into life's vocation that requires both inward and outward travel far from home, never to return, but ultimately being content and safe in the community. Sweet and melancholy, the learned monk, reminiscent of Saint Francis for his love of animals, is essentially giving his final will and testament, a most spiritual treasure beyond valuing, from someone with vows of poverty.
Interspersed are several instrumental interludes, with differing characters (some decidedly oriental, others western, all however bearing a strong Celtic stamp).
This is a perfect introduction to McKennitt's work, but do not stop there. Her previous work is well worth exploring.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Big G
Format:Audio CD
There was one track of hers on the Celtic Chillout collection. It was The Mummers' Dance, an extraordinary track. I have just purchased a pre-release promotional CD of The Book Of Secrets, from which the aforementioned track comes from. The whole album is extraordinary.
There is so much to write about this album that if I tried to express everything I wanted to say, I would lose myself in an ever-decreasing spiral. Let's just say that Ms McKennitt has a very beautiful and original voice, the subjects of her compositions are varied to say the least; there are lots of influences which show themselves in the lyrics and the melodies; the musicianship is truly masterful and she has produced a near-perfect album.
One reviewer of her music suggested that it should be experienced whilst having sex. I think I would rather pay attention to her first and keep my partner waiting .....!
This is an exemplary album and a good way to get into Ms McKennitts brand of Celtic music - as I have. One can only wonder why it has taken me so long to find out about her.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
What a find. Having never heard of Loreena McKennitt previously, I came to her through the mp3 pages via Enya. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Madame Bovary
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love her
For me this album is the one of the best album of Loreena Mckennitt. For me it is one of the rare albums which you might listen and like every single song of the album. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mehmet
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a find !
At last i have managed to track down a piece of music i have heard many times but never known what it was.... The Mummer`s Dance. I decided to purchase the cd and am so glad i did. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. N. Bellars
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to Stop Listening
I only recently discovered Loreena McKennitt's work and am enjoying about six of her albums on pretty much constant rotation. Read more
Published 3 months ago by K A Byrne
5.0 out of 5 stars
follow up
really liked it! -- z y x w v u t s r q p o n m l k
Published 5 months ago by John Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing album
One of my favourite albums now. Good range of styles and moods. Many memorable tracks. Would be a major hit if better promoted.
Published 5 months ago by D. N. Druett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This singer has been little heard in the UK and yet has a following in Europe and Canada. A very accomplished performer mixing folk with flavours of music from other cultures. Read more
Published 5 months ago by mcah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Of Secrets - Loreena McKennitt
Loreena McKennitt has a beautiful, melodic voice which suits the Celtic style of music and songs. Some of the tracks are mostly instrumental, featuring the harp; the whole ensemble... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Juliette
5.0 out of 5 stars
great!
if you need to relax after a long day at work I highly recommend that cd:)
It will calm you down and will let forget abt the stressful day:)
It will calm you down and will let forget abt the stressful day:)
Published 9 months ago by gosia
1.0 out of 5 stars
Music for Tourists
I saw part of Loreena McKennitt's excellent performance at Cambridge Folk Festival 2012 (on Sky Arts, unfortunately, so I had to endure the ghastly Zoe Ball). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Cason
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