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Track Listings
| 1. Incantation (2:35) |
| 2. The Gates Of Istanbul (6:59) |
| 3. Caravanserai (7:36) |
| 4. The English Ladye And The Knight (7:36) |
| 5. Kecharitomene (6:34) |
| 6. Penelopes Song (4:21) |
| 7. Sacred Shabbat (3:59) |
| 8. Beneath A Phrygian Sky (9:32) |
| 9. Never-ending Road (Amhrán Duit) (6:00) |
Product Description
Amazon.ca
It's been nearly a decade since Loreena McKennitt's last studio album, The Book of Secrets, but An Ancient Muse picks up the caravan exactly where she left off on her mystical journey through the cultures of the Middle East and northern Sahara. The Canadian singer opens this album the same way as she did her last two recordings: with an incantation, calling out in a wordless voice across an echoing space, cleansing the air and the mind. What follows is a lot like those albums as well, a pan-global excursion centered on Middle Eastern themes and instruments cast into a dramatic exotica. Oud, dumbek, kanoun, hurdy-gurdy, duduk, nyckleharpe (a Swedish-keyed fiddle), and other ancient sounds from the region and beyond ornament her music, though "ornament" might no longer be accurate. With the exception of Hugh Marsh's gypsy violin solos and a handful of other players, it's the Western instruments that serve as ornaments on An Ancient Muse. McKennitt long ago evolved the Celtic sound that launched her career. She's virtually abandoned the harp, which hasn't appeared on her CDs since 1991's The Visit. The lone uillean pipe on "Beneath a Phrygian Sky" sounds like an echo calling from the McKennitt's past. Nevertheless, the Celtic ballad form remains central to her music, and she still draws inspiration from ye olde writers of the British Isles. Lyrics from Sir Walter Scott adorn "The English Ladye and the Knight," recalling "The Lady of Shalott." But despite McKennitt's soaring alto, the tale drags under the dirge-like meter and ponderous arrangement. The epic track of this album is the aforementioned "Beneath a Phrygian Sky," with distorted electric guitar accents and an acoustic guitar melody carrying McKennitt on another journey into her romanticized version of the ancient world. --John Diliberto
Product Description
Once heard, never forgotten. From the Scottish borders to the caravanserais of the Silk Road and the wine-dark seas of Homers Odyssey: music that crosses borders and centuries. Join the journey with An Ancient Muse, the new studio album from Canadas internationally acclaimed eclectic Celtic singer/composer, Loreena McKennitt.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Curio
Format:Audio CD
After nearly 10 years since her last release, The Book of Secrets, I'm glad to say that this Canadian songstress still has it--and in spades!
Infused with the very soul of mysticism, the music is a journey to times long past but certainly not forgotten, thanks in part to McKennitt's rich, celebratory blend of cultures in each tune. Gone (I believe) is the harp, but yet, there is still an unmistakeable Celtic essence, the basis of her work.
Opening in much the same way that The Mask and Mirror and The Book of Secrets did--with evocative, wordless intonations that really set the mood, it moves on to the exotic and alluring "Gates of Istanbul"--here is a slow but infectious rhythm that lingers long after the last note.
"Caravanserai" is beautiful, soaring into a more subdued but sensitive treatment of the poem "The English Ladye and the Knight," before launching back into high gear into my personal favourite--"Kecharitomene," an adventurous, passionate song that swells blissfully, layer upon rich layer in a lovely aural landscape.
"Penelope's Song" sets us back on earth before the up-tempo "Sacred Shabbat," an excellent instrumental arrangement, but to me, sounding curiously contained or flat where other tracks possess great depth and clarity. "Beaneath a Phyrigian Sky" makes up for this small hiccup, a song I think of as the siblng of her wonderful "Bonny Portmore."
Concluding this sublime release is "Never-ending Road" (may it be indicative of her career, and further albums!), an emotive, haunting end comparable to what "Dante's Prayer" or "Prospero's Speech" did for Secrets and Mask, respectively.
This is a CD that radiates inspiration, care, and sensitivity, a culmination of Loreena McKennitt's skill and talent as a musician in what is likely her best release yet!
Infused with the very soul of mysticism, the music is a journey to times long past but certainly not forgotten, thanks in part to McKennitt's rich, celebratory blend of cultures in each tune. Gone (I believe) is the harp, but yet, there is still an unmistakeable Celtic essence, the basis of her work.
Opening in much the same way that The Mask and Mirror and The Book of Secrets did--with evocative, wordless intonations that really set the mood, it moves on to the exotic and alluring "Gates of Istanbul"--here is a slow but infectious rhythm that lingers long after the last note.
"Caravanserai" is beautiful, soaring into a more subdued but sensitive treatment of the poem "The English Ladye and the Knight," before launching back into high gear into my personal favourite--"Kecharitomene," an adventurous, passionate song that swells blissfully, layer upon rich layer in a lovely aural landscape.
"Penelope's Song" sets us back on earth before the up-tempo "Sacred Shabbat," an excellent instrumental arrangement, but to me, sounding curiously contained or flat where other tracks possess great depth and clarity. "Beaneath a Phyrigian Sky" makes up for this small hiccup, a song I think of as the siblng of her wonderful "Bonny Portmore."
Concluding this sublime release is "Never-ending Road" (may it be indicative of her career, and further albums!), an emotive, haunting end comparable to what "Dante's Prayer" or "Prospero's Speech" did for Secrets and Mask, respectively.
This is a CD that radiates inspiration, care, and sensitivity, a culmination of Loreena McKennitt's skill and talent as a musician in what is likely her best release yet!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By R. Deckard
Format:Audio CD
Years ago I fell in love with the "the book of secrets" and "An Ancient Muse" begins where "the book of secrets" left off. Rediscovering those themes of Middle Eastern Origins, from North Africa to Afganistan. "An Ancient Muse" may not be quite as good as "the book of secrets", however it is a close 2nd. Loreena McKennitt delivers a perfect album with haunting themes that will transform you. You will not be disappointed.
By Steve
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Lorena McKennitt is a very goods musical artist. Sometimes I find her work can be drawn out and the tunes seen to blend into one another. This album seemed dreary to me gave me a pensive mood. Not one of my favourite albums from her!
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Return of the muse
After the death of her fiance, Loreena McKennitt went into retirement for several years. But when she returned, she came back in a big way -- "An Ancient Muse," a haunting little... Read more
Published on April 30 2011 by E. A Solinas
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Ancient Muse
As ardent fans of Loreena McKennitt, we are pleased to add this album to our collection. Thank You!
Published on Mar 30 2009 by Dale Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another relaxing and surreal moment with Loreena McKennitt
I have been waiting for another CD from Loreena McKennitt. And it was well worth the wait.
This CD is just as beautiful and wonderful as all the rest of her CD's have... Read more
This CD is just as beautiful and wonderful as all the rest of her CD's have... Read more
Published on Nov 4 2007 by Lynne Grey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ahh... I'd Forgotten...
I'd been looking and hoping for a new Loreena McKennitt CD for years. I'd given up hope. Stopped looking... Read more
Published on Sep 21 2007 by Kirtland Peterson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too Safe and Familiar
My first impression of this album was that it was pleasant enough, though too predictable, and that nothing stood out or beckoned me back. Read more
Published on May 27 2007 by pseudonymous
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not the best.
I was a little disappointed with this CD. Such a long wait for songs that sound so much like previous recordings in The Books Of Secrets and The Mask And Mirror. Read more
Published on Dec 20 2006 by Melody
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too gloomy for me
Have to agree with the Amazon reviewer - I have nearly all her albums and although it holds some of the mystery and exoticism of her previous album - this one is indeed dirge-like... Read more
Published on Dec 15 2006 by CelticMaiden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Once again!
Once again, Miss McKennitt has capture the true essence of ancient music for today's standards. She is one of those artists who is able to keep her sense of style in every album... Read more
Published on Nov 28 2006 by Maribelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words cannot describe Loreena Mckennitt's music
Even though I do not have the cd at the time of this writing, I have been waiting for some new music from Loreena Mckennitt for 8 years. Read more
Published on Nov 19 2006 by A. Joseph
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