1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

By the time the song is reaching its conclusion the inspired beats and exotic flow of the instruments conjures up the images of a north African evening under the stars. "Full Circle" explores some bigger themes, that of the journey itself. After years of travelling on a musical and spiritual pilgrimage between such wondrous and holy places, the singer is musing on the journeys of other religious pilgrims who have made the same journeys for their own, not too dissimilar reasons. Accompanied only by Middle Eastern violin type sounds of an instrument that I probably don't know the name of, there are many in her work, it is the voice that carries this song. Always a focal point of here work, here you truly get to appreciate just how amazing her voice is as it is left uninterrupted by music.

One of the obvious places that would feature on a devotional pilgrimage is Santiago de Compostella (St James in the Field of Stars) the supposed resting place of the remains of the saint. This region still retains traces of its pre-roman Celtic roots in its language and music, and here in "Santiago" the music of that tradition and the gypsy themes of Spain are entwined, violins dance above the main song and dark brooding cellos under pin it and all the time a fast percussion and hand clap mix drive the music onwards to end in a breathtaking violin solo play out. Inspired by the poetry of Yeats "The Two Trees" is quintessentially Irish in flavour, opening with the unmistakable sound of the uillean pipes which then give way to haunting violins and piano to create an image of a barren landscape, leafless trees and the calling of the rooks in their rookeries. The album closes with "Prospero's Speech" based on Shakespeare's words and signalling and end to the musical illusion that has been created, the mask comes off and the actor is revealed as a mere player, or here the analogy is that the musical artist is merely a storyteller, a conjurer of images. Again an almost totally vocal affair this song is the artist stripped bare and has never sounded better in vocal terms.

Whether you want music that helps you relax or are looking for something more in depth, its all here. It can wash all those worries of the day away, be used as a wonderful backing track to socialising or if dwelt upon has hidden depths, intriguing questions and spiritual pathways to be explored. Like all of McKennitt's work, it operates on many levels, take from it what you wish, enjoy and bath in its exotic charm.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Album reviews: The Mask and the Mirror, by Loreena McKennit?
We want to hear your view. Write now!