THE VISIT

I've been a fervent disciple of hers for a couple of years now,and of her small but exquisite body of work,I would rate the "Mask and the Mirror",and the "Book of Secrets",as the twin summits of her career so far.That's not to dismiss the achievement of her earlier albums such as "Elemental" and "Parallel Dreams".Both of them contain a number of choice,delectable items, and are well worth backtracking to add to your collection .Also,there is a most desireable 2CD set of live performances recorded at Toronto and Paris that has just appeared on the scene.They contain stunning sets which prove without a doubt that she is no studio-bound entity,but can get out there and communicate directly and brilliantly with her justifiably responsive public.She is supported by a superlative group of consummate musicians who play their heart and soul out for her.I can highly recommend it to you.

In the "Visit" Loreena has drawn her inspiration from many sources-Shakespeare and Tennyson to name but two-and for the most part she succeeds quite brilliantly in her spell-binding interpretations of these familiar texts.There can't be many artists who could give us an 11+ minute of "The Lady of Shallot" and not lose their listener's attention at some point along the way.Quite the reverse actually:she really sweeps us up into the narrative of the poem,and it's a real tribute to her vocal virtuosity that the piece is sustained perfectly despite the relatively sparse melodic line.

Another high-point of the album for me is the old standard "Bonny Portmore" which L.M has given a marvellously tender and evocative treatment.She really draws every ounce of emotion out of it,and almost brings you to the point of tears for those poor birds when their forest home has been felled !

The track that does least for me is her "unique"-shall I say-reading of that Elizabethan war-horse "Greensleeves".She admits herself in the notes that it was a spontaneous "one-off" take at the end of a recording session,and as such was never intended for inclusion on an album.It has qualities to be sure,and the instrumental accompaniment cannot be faulted,but her lovely voice is too "affected" here,and personally I find myself reaching for the skip button on my remote control when it's about to appear.

Of the purely instrumental pieces "Tango to Evora" rates a special mention.At first listen it may seem a fairly superficial and light kind of creation,but like all good music it has that tendency of lodging itself deep within your sub-conscious,and has a habit of popping out into your mind days or weeks later.A most infectious confection indeed.

So all-in-all, "The Visit" is a fascinating little "housecall" to Loreena's sublime,musical world.From the hypnotic rhythms of the opening "All Souls Night",to the valedictory poignancy of the speech from "Cymbeline" it's an album that it would be a crime to bypass,and with the added bonus of a full-bodied,warm and sumptious recording (characteristic of nearly all her CDs) it would be the best use you could put the better part of three fivers to,this week at any rate.

From the first song "All Souls Night" to the gorgeous "The Lady Of Shalott" and the beautiful rendition of "Greensleeves". It's a VERY impressive CD.

The bonus DVD with this version of the album is a brilliant extra. The interview with Loreena is intriguing, especially if, like me, you'd never seen the lady talk before!! There's a nice clip of her performing "The Lady Of Shalot" live along with a good couple of music videos, most memorable being "The Mummer's Dance", producing a slightly funkier version than appears on the album version of the song.
I can't speak highly enough of this album package! 5 stars!!