by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: February 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

A lot of the way I feel about life lies within the songs of Loreena McKennitt. Her voice is haunting, and on this album, there are some of my favourites that take you into a deep and mellow place where thoughts conjure up pictures of Irish countryside, and magic and dreams.

Loreena McKennitt has been on the music scene for a long time, although it is only recently that I bought this album, but it is fast becoming one of my favourites of all time.

The first song is Prologue and this is a really haunting experience. When you listen to it, Loreena's voice is so clear and vibrant and takes you into a world of wonderment. I live in a very celtic part of France where music such as this is very popular and when you listen to the prologue, and close your eyes, you kind of get taken into a surreal landscape of hills and standing stones. It is a joy to the ear.

The second song on the album is called Mummers Dance which is a little weird as a title, although again it follows the irish roots and the lilt of her voice is magnificent. This is a little more up tempo though a relaxing song, and for those who find relaxation difficult as I do, this song is a real breath of fresh air.

After that, you have Skellig which is instrumental at the beginning with traditional irish instruments, and down tempo from the next track. It gives me visions of hills and landscapes and I love listening to this in the car.

Marco Polo is a voyage of discovery where east meets west in a wonderful mix of Irish and middle eastern music, entangled into a wonderful mixture that is easy to the ear. It's a masterpiece of west/east and the way that the artist has intertwined music from different sides of the world is both imaginative and easy, complex and filled with surprises.

Highwayman is a story in itself, and anyone who likes music with a story to it will like this one. Loreena's mastery of fitting lyrics to tune is outstanding on this track. A little old fashioned maybe but my tastes are.

Serinnisima is one track that is not memorable, although in itself is a gentle song, that also makes you think of countryside and lakes and mountains. I don't know how music manages to do this, but to me all kinds of music conjures up pictures, from the most complex of classical pieces to the simplest of songs. Loreena McKennitts music is particularly good at this.

Night Ride across the Caucasis is again a typical example of how Loreena McKennitts music gives you notions about places and feelings. This is a particular

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