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Amazon.co.uk Review
McKennitt's recordings always have the quality of a spiritual sojourn; her songs are those of a seeker, whether she's setting Yeats, Scripture, or her own words to her compositions. It's this that attracts people to her music, and The Book of Secrets is no exception, whether it's the lazy rhythms of "Marco Polo," the sober joy of "The Mummers' Dance," the poignancy of "Skellig" or "Dante's Prayer," or the drama of Alfred Noyes's "The Highwayman". "The Highwayman" is a particularly strong effort, especially in comparison to her earlier setting of "The Lady of Shalott"; McKennitt has become much more skilled at musical narrative. This is music that can be enjoyed on many levels, from McKennitt's growing skill as a composer to the deeper questions posed by her lyrics. --Genevieve Williams
Album Description
"The Book Of Secrets" was released in late 1997 on Loreena McKennitt's own label, Quinlan Road, via the Warner group, worldwide. It has proven, since then, to be the artist's greatest critical and commercial success to date, with gold, platinum and multiplatinum certifications in Canada, the United States, Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, New Zealand, Greece (where it debuted at number one on the national album chart) and elsewhere. Featuring the international hit single 'The Mummers' Dance' and recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studios in england, multimillion-selling The Book Of secrets takes listeners on an enchanting cross-cultural journey from medieval Ireland to the majesty of Venice and the steppes of Siberia to the Silk Route. The album has been completely remastered and includes a multilingual weblink. Also included is an additional DVD featuring the Loreena McKennitt documentary No Journeys End and the videos "The Bonny Swans" and "The Mummers' Dance" mixed in 5.1 sound.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
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.
16 of 16 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.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
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
Mesmerically Beautiful
Loreena McKennitt is like no other. Her music transcends that of other artists.
Blessed with the most exquisite angelic voice and the gift to write such wonderfully... Read more
Blessed with the most exquisite angelic voice and the gift to write such wonderfully... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Book Mark
Little Treasure
This CD is a little treasure, The Mummers dance and Skelig are both tracks that I immediately connected to and wanted to listen to again and again. Read more
Published 13 months ago by V. C. Lee
Absolute beauty!
Loreena McKennitt is one of a kind. There is no other artist in the world that can write music the way she does. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Andrei Aciobanitei
loreena mckennitt ..book of secrets
i saw a video on youtube of loreena and had to buy an album
this is such an amazingly spiritual cd, i love every track,
her music has such a special quality which touches... Read more
this is such an amazingly spiritual cd, i love every track,
her music has such a special quality which touches... Read more
Published on 7 May 2010 by Jude Sellmeyer
Very Good
I based my decision to buy this on reviews and I'm so glad I went with the majority. Loreena has a stunning voice and the music is superb. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2008 by A. Kidner
Questa è roba grossa!
Great music indeed, great atmosphere and giant McKennit's open mindedness.
A must for lovers of world music with a celtic breath and a coming from beyond Loreena's voice.
A must for lovers of world music with a celtic breath and a coming from beyond Loreena's voice.
Published on 16 July 2007 by Chirotteri
Dante's Prayer
Like 'The Old Ways' from "The Visit" or 'Prospero's Speech' from "The Mask and the Mirrors", "Dante's Prayer" portrays the dark side of life. Read more
Published on 28 May 2007 by Hiro
Hits just right.
Loreena McKennitt has come along way both musically and as far as travelling the world is concerned. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2007 by K. C. Simm
Celtic international...
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... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2005 by Kurt Messick
A journey for the mind, body and soul
Loreena McKennitt is not a household name for many, though she has been creating a very unique brand of music for many years, her first album, Elemental was released in 1985. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2005 by D. J. Franklin
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