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The Book of Secrets
 
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The Book of Secrets

~ Loreena McKennitt
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Audio CD (23 Dec 1999)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Warner
  • ASIN: B000002NHN
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 30,574 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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1. Prologue
2. Mummers' Dance
3. Skellig
4. Marco Polo
5. Highwayman
6. Serenissima
7. Night Ride Across the Caucasus
8. Dante's Prayer

Product Description

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


CD Description

Loreena McKennitt began her career as a New Age pop chanteuse, steeped in Celtic folk mysticism and possessed of an airy, ethereal voice. Over the course of her career she has dabbled to varying extremes in the pop format, but she remains true to the spirit of the traditional balladeer on THE BOOK OF SECRETS. With the aid of top-flight musicians like Danny Thompson and David Rhodes, she weaves a web of fanciful, wispy folk-rock that's not afraid to be beautiful as it pulls listeners in with it's comforting hypnotic qualities.

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Loreena Mckennitt - singer/storyteller par excellence, 9 May 2000
By A Customer
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Celtic international, 20 April 2006
By Kurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (London, SW1) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Book of Secrets (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.


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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I've discovered her - at last, 18 Nov 2003
By Geoff Hall "Geoff Hall" (Borehamwood, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Book of Secrets (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

4.0 out of 5 stars 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 13 months ago by A. Kidner

4.0 out of 5 stars 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.
Published on 16 Jul 2007 by Chirotteri

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

4.0 out of 5 stars A moving musical voyage.
I happened upon Loreena McKennitt's music purely by accident - a very happy accident indeed. One listen to the song 'The Mummers' Dance' and I was as good as a fan. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2007 by Ampersand

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars A Celtic and Eastern Blend
I was given this CD, after listening to someone elses copy. Loreena has a wonderfull clear voice very easy to listen to. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2004 by Mr. C. J. Spurling

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - Why are her albums so hard to find in UK?
For those who like Clannad and other Celtic music, Loreena is a real gem. Her voice is very captivating and now I prefer her to Clannad and Enya! Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2004 by Mr. Lance Parkington

5.0 out of 5 stars This was my first of Loreena McKennitt
I am not going to pull each of her songs apart. I just want to say that amazes me as to how she does it. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2003 by bernie

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