Janalyn, thanks so much for posting the above! I am a fan and have been wondering why I had not heard of any new music forthcoming. I will look for this....

I'm another fan, so thanks for the update.

Love her. She's got to be one of my top 5 favourite canadian artists of all time. I'm definately looking forward to this album.

In fact, I could really listen to her ...right...now!

Ahhh...

I have a couple of her cds as well. She has such a pure yet rich vocal style, and I really enjoy her lyrics as well.

I'll be on the watch for it, too. Thanks!

Thanks for the info, Janalyn. I only recently discovered McKennit and I really, really like her style. I also have Sailing the Wine Dark Sea in the TBR pile and I've moved it to the top. I'll be looking for the new CD.

Thank you Janalyn! I've got three or four McKennits already (only one of which I wouldn't recommend, an early work) and will be watching out for this one.

Janalyn,

have you any more updates on Loreena? I don't think I've seen anything new come out for several years. I live under a rock half the time, so just wondering if I've missed it?

So, give us some Album or song titles that you recommend so we can sample her on iTunes. What't this Mummer's Dance that shows up with the most "Relevance" - which I confess I haven't figured out yet other than it seems to be the most downloaded.

The Mummer's Dance is a good intro to McKennitt. The two albums I have are The Book of Secrets (TMD is on that one) and The Mask and the Mirror. My favorite song is actually Night Ride Across The Caucasus. I think her song Mystic Dream (on the Mask & the Mirror album) was actually used in the mini-series of Bradley's book The Mists of Avalon (which I have actually not seen nor read).

Thanks, GeorgiaP, I'll check them out.

Since this thread originated, I added to my Loreena McKennitt collection, and I now have most of her cd's, including The Book of Secrets, The Visit, The Mask and the Mirror, Parallel Dreams, Elemental, and To Drive the Cold Winter Away. I think she has an incredible voice, and I love most of her songs. One of my favorite songs is Ancient Pines, from Parallel Dreams, her second release. There are no words in that song, only the sounds of her glorious voice. Amazing. Georgia peach, I like Night Ride Across The Caucasus, too.

For anyone considering purchasing some of her cd's, you might want to check the compilation available from Barnes & Noble; it contains the first three albums and an extra cd as well. If you order it online, it's quite a bit cheaper than purchasing it in the store. As much as I like her earlier work, though, I'm still drawn more to the later work, like The Visit, The Mask and the Mirror, and The Book of Secrets. I'm looking forward to her next release.

According to her website, the new album will be released sometime in the fall 2006.

Here is a link that might be useful: Loreena McKennitt website

That's great news, I've been hoping she'd come out with something new soon. My sister introduced me to her music a couple years ago, and The Visit is my favorite CD, especially the song All Soul's Night.

Sheriz6, it's funny you should mention All Soul's Night, because I intended to mention how much I like that one and forgot.

Just chiming in to recommend "The Book of Secrets", and "The Visit". I particularly love to play "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" at Christmas time. One of my favorites also is "The Lady of Shalott", the long poem of A.E. Tennyson set to music. Her voice is incredibly beautiful, IMO. I also like the metaphysical poem by St. John of the Cross, which she has set to music.

For those who don't know this unique artist, some of her earlier work was into Celtic themes, but she has branched out into "World Music" which encompasses both Eastern and Western traditions.

I too am an avid Loreena fan. I've been listening to her music for over 11 years. I have only 2 albums, "The Visit" and "The Mask and the Mirror" which are both very good. Of course, most of her other albums are on my to buy list (which is an infinately long list which will never get any shorter, luckily as a musician I get to write off all my CD purchases.)

Her music makes me want to learn to play the harp. I am definately looking forward to this new album.

Good news for Loreena McKennitt fans. I noticed on the Amazon site today that her new cd entitled An Ancient Muse will be released November 21, which is this coming Tuesday. I'm looking forward to hearing it.

My daughter sent me "The Visit" cd a few years ago for a stocking stuffer. I have not played it much...you have convinced me to have another listen. That is assuming it made its way south with us.

Bob

Thanks for news about the release date! (An early Christmas present for myself)

THANK YOU for the update! I put this one right on my Christmas list. I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks, Colorme - now I just need to figure out who to give it to. My sister-in-law gave me my first LMcK years ago as a present, so I'm not sure if it's appropriate to turn that around. Might also give a copy to DH so I get to hear it too...

Yes, thanks so much for the heads-up. I can't wait to hear it.

You can also download it from her site "Quinlan Road" starting tomorrow...or actually now, for some of you!
You can also listen to sample tracks there.
I can't believe I missed this thread earlier.

Here is a link that might be useful: Quinlan Road

Just got my copy of her new CD -- its lovely!! We have all of her CDs -- and I just adore The Visit! (All Souls NNight remains one of my very fav songs)

AND -- if you like her music -- I urge you to try "Blackmore's Night" --- a group with Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple) -- their music is so wonderful -- Renaissance/Medieval inspired tunes !! Try "Ghost of a Rose" or "Under a Violet Moon"

Back to making coffee and gingerbread ......

I picked up a copy of the cd yesterday, teacats, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. You're right: It's lovely. And thanks for the tip on Blackmore's Night.

When I was a kid and it was late at night, I would lie in bed and hear footsteps...and my little heart would beat frantic until I recognized the sounds to be that of my Mother. Me, wanting to get out of bed and run and hug her, yet also stone as a statue, not sure if being awake that late would have indicted me. So, I just feel asleep sweetly knowing no forbidden creatures would harm me as the familiar sounds and scents were near. This is how Ancient Muse made me feel Of cause I ran out and got a copy!

I have been "off-line" for a week or so...lots of holiday company. What a treat to hear of the new cd-long awaited! I will be making a trip to Borders tomorrow.

I haven't been to this forum in ages, but I'm so glad I did stop by.

I'm another fan and have all her cd's...well, except this new one but I'll have that soon.

If you like Loreena McKennit, you would most likely like Connie Dover (she also has a website.) I got almost all of her and LM's Cd's at secondspin.com

thanks so much for the tip.

I bought the album yesterday and to me it it is more of the same, I would like to see her take some risks. To be honest I could take a compilation of what she did before and come up with a similar album.