Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
  This Album Was An Introduction To Loreena McKennitt's Music June 30, 2009
Bonny Swans was the first song I heard from Loreena McKennitt. In the midst of all the alternative music, rock music, classical and R & B and sometimes easy listening music (like the Andrew Sisters) music that I was listening to at that time, when I heard Loreena McKennitt and her Bonny Swans song, I got goose bumps. What a glorious sound this woman could bring. She describes her music as Celtic Eclectic. Her music is Celtic, and she captures the essence of other cultures of where the Celts have travelled. So that in her music, she expresses the travels and quests of where this journey of the Celts, and her personal journey takes her. Her music struck a chord within me that was melodic and harmonious. I immediately purchased the album. My favorite songs are of course the Bonny Swans, Full Circle, The Two Trees, Santiago, Mask and Mirror and Prospero's Speech (this is particularly very meditative.) Her music is soothing, energetic (like a fire) and visual of storytelling. The musicians are extraordinary! Especially the violinist, Hugh Marsh! She has wonderful and extra instruments on the album ouds, hurdy gurdy, balalaika, bag pipes. Loreena herself plays the accordion, the harp, and piano. Then there are the instruments of dumbek, drums, percussion and so forth. I'm getting carried away. This is a wonderful album. Because of this album, I purchased every album she has made! I highly recommend the Mask and Mirror.
Love It May 18, 2009
Absolutley love this CD. Play it all the time at work on my computer and have people compliment me on my taste in music!
The Two Trees April 24, 2009
For nothing else, buy this CD for track #7, The Two Trees. The poem with Words by William Butler Yeats and Music by the incredible Loreena McKennitt.
It tells the tale of the progression from innocent childhood, to cynical old age. How we can become bitter, brittle and old before our day if we stare into the glass of cynicism rather then remember that in our hearts we don't change, that we can remain children, if we but turn our hearts to tenderness and not dwell on our disappointments and the disappearance of youth.
"Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the winged sandals dart
Thine eyes grow full of tender care;
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart."
But the bitter glass of cynicism, as Yeats describes it, is a subtle influence, set to rob us of our joy and prevent us from living within our hearts.
"In the dim glass the demons hold,
The glass of outer weariness,
Made when God slept in times of old.
There, through the broken branches, go
The ravens of unresting thought;
Flying, crying, to and fro,
Cruel claw and hungry throat"
These poets words set to Lorrenna's haunting arrangement, call to something deep in us, something we have given away, but we can and we will recall its promise, that we are born from and for greatness, joy, and that our struggles do have a purpose, to reunite us to a creation we cannot see, nor touch, but that we may feel, if we but lift up our eyes from the bitter glass and listen to our hearts.
 Mask & Mirror September 29, 2008
This is a great album. I enjoy her style and voice. She is a classic and should be considered a Celtic Deva.
Excellent mood music.... September 29, 2008
This is another great album from Loreena. Her work makes for a beautiful setting while cooking, relaxing, doing chores, entertaining, etc. Her songs and melodies bring you back to a world of old that no longer exists at the present...
I give my highest recommendation.
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