The Mask and Mirror

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
McKennitt's travels through Spain and Morocco flavor this album with a distinctly Mediterranean tinge, from the opening "The Mystic's Dream," with its dancing percussion arrangements, to "Marrakesh Night Market," to "Full Circle" and the instrumental "Santiago." "Marrakesh Night Market" is an especially strong performance, with an interesting musical texture; the balalaika, udu drum, and dumbek are played alongside a synthesizer. As usual, McKennitt has set a poem to music, this time Yeats's "The Two Trees," with a lovely introduction on the Uillean pipes. There's also "The Bonny Swans," a traditional lyric, and the CD closes with Shakespeare, as McKennitt sets some of Prospero's words from The Tempest to her own music. Excerpts from McKennitt's journals, included in the CD booklet, make for interesting reading as they shed some light on her source material and inspiration for writing each song. --Genevieve Williams

Amazon.com
Loreena McKennitt drew her inspiration for this album from 15th century Spain, where the cultures of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam coexisted uneasily, tied together by a common tradition of religious mysticism. McKennitt reflects the multi-culturalism in arrangements that mix the half-tone intervals and familiar instruments of the Aryan north with the quarter-tone intervals and dumbeg, oud, and tamboura of the Semitic south. The results are often intoxicating, even if the composer consistently prefers slow-moving tempos. There's a tension and density to this music that safely removes it from the new- age category. McKennitt's attempts to evoke medieval mysticism in her lyrics are less successful. She fares best when she draws her texts from other sources: Prospero's closing speech from Shakespeare's "The Tempest," Yeats's "The Two Trees," "The Dark Night of the Soul" by the medieval Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross, and the traditional narrative ballad, "The Bonny Swans." One these numbers, the shadowy, mesmerizing atmospheres conjured up by McKennitt's music are enhanced by the words rather than spoiled by them. --Geoffrey Himes

The Mask and Mirror,Loreena McKennitt,Warner Bros / Wea,Adult Alternative,Canada,Celtic Fusion,Celtic New Age,Contemporary Celtic,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

The Mask and Mirror

The Mask and Mirror
The Mask and Mirror
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • spiritual music at its best
  • Amazing!
  • Captures My Soul
 The Mask and Mirror
Loreena McKennitt
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Book of Secrets
  2. The Visit
  3. An Ancient Muse
  4. Elemental
  5. Parallel Dreams

ASIN: B000J233TE
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Tracks:

  1. Mystic Dream
  2. The Bonny Swans
  3. Dark Night Of The Soul
  4. Marrakesh Night Market
  5. Full Circle
  6. Santiago
  7. Ce He Mise Le Ulaingt?/The Two Trees
  8. Prospero's Speech

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars spiritual music at its best.......2007-05-27

alike ALL OF Loreen McKennitts' music, this speaks directly to the soul. beautifully arranged and orchestrated. I get compliments from all types of people when it is played.

5 out of 5 stars Amazing!.......2007-05-15

Every time I have the pleasure of listening to Loreena, I feel transported to a different place & time. Rarely does music move the soul as her's does. Enjoy every moment, every note, every melody. Doesn't get any better than this.

5 out of 5 stars Captures My Soul.......2007-05-13

Had borrowed a friend's copy of this CD after hearing it once (maybe after hearing just one song) and would not return it until I had purchased my own copy and one for my sister. I never tire of listening to it and look forward to purchasing others by the same artist.
The Mask and Mirror
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not Mask and Mirror
  • Another "Must-Have" by Loreena McKennitt
  • A Real Gem
  • The mask and the mirror
  • The Mask and Mirror
 The Mask and Mirror
Loreena McKennitt
Manufacturer: Quinlan Road
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
CanadaCanada | North America | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
New AgeNew Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
FusionFusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz FusionJazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
Celtic New AgeCeltic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The Visit
  2. The Book of Secrets
  3. An Ancient Muse
  4. Parallel Dreams
  5. A Winter Garden: Five Songs for the Season

ASIN: B000002MMS
Release Date: 1994-03-22

Tracks:

  1. The Mystic's Dream
  2. The Bonny Swans
  3. The Dark Night Of The Soul
  4. Marrakesh Night Market
  5. Full Circle
  6. Santiago
  7. Ce He Mise Le Ulaingt? (The Two Trees)
  8. Prospero's Speech

Amazon.com essential recording

McKennitt's travels through Spain and Morocco flavor this album with a distinctly Mediterranean tinge, from the opening "The Mystic's Dream," with its dancing percussion arrangements, to "Marrakesh Night Market," to "Full Circle" and the instrumental "Santiago." "Marrakesh Night Market" is an especially strong performance, with an interesting musical texture; the balalaika, udu drum, and dumbek are played alongside a synthesizer. As usual, McKennitt has set a poem to music, this time Yeats's "The Two Trees," with a lovely introduction on the Uillean pipes. There's also "The Bonny Swans," a traditional lyric, and the CD closes with Shakespeare, as McKennitt sets some of Prospero's words from The Tempest to her own music. Excerpts from McKennitt's journals, included in the CD booklet, make for interesting reading as they shed some light on her source material and inspiration for writing each song. --Genevieve Williams

Amazon.com

Loreena McKennitt drew her inspiration for this album from 15th century Spain, where the cultures of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam coexisted uneasily, tied together by a common tradition of religious mysticism. McKennitt reflects the multi-culturalism in arrangements that mix the half-tone intervals and familiar instruments of the Aryan north with the quarter-tone intervals and dumbeg, oud, and tamboura of the Semitic south. The results are often intoxicating, even if the composer consistently prefers slow-moving tempos. There's a tension and density to this music that safely removes it from the new- age category. McKennitt's attempts to evoke medieval mysticism in her lyrics are less successful. She fares best when she draws her texts from other sources: Prospero's closing speech from Shakespeare's "The Tempest," Yeats's "The Two Trees," "The Dark Night of the Soul" by the medieval Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross, and the traditional narrative ballad, "The Bonny Swans." One these numbers, the shadowy, mesmerizing atmospheres conjured up by McKennitt's music are enhanced by the words rather than spoiled by them. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Not Mask and Mirror.......2007-07-18

When it arrived the Cd case was correct but inside was The Visit instead, which I already had. It was also scrtached badly. When I attempted to contact the seller and I returned it, it came back Box Closed. Amazon refunded me.

5 out of 5 stars Another "Must-Have" by Loreena McKennitt.......2007-06-16

I just don't know how this lady does this! Every one of her releases is a "gotta have it" disc! Time after time, no exceptions.

Perhaps because of the careful attention put into them (they seem to be no closer than 2-3 years apart), perhaps it's because OF this distance, when one is "waiting for another", I don't know. What I DO know is that there is NOT ONE of this musician's albums unworthy of shelf space in your collection.

Always mystical, haunting, light, lovely, ethereal...the list could go on!
Everyone at least owes themselves a "good" listen to her at least a couple of times even if they end up not purchasing her albums. She is, to me, somebody you would live without ever knowing she or her output existed, but once listened to, she is someone you want "near" to you and your heart, thus the necessity to own these shiny little discs of her works!

As all her releases, this is a "composed through" album, a homogeneous set. As I've stated before, perhaps this is why her music stays with you in your mind long after hearing it, but I am not sure. All I know is that her voice, her music, and the orchestrations of it, will go right through you to your heart......there are few artists who can do this. Lucky for us, she is here, now, and we benefit greatly from her work(s).

Again, pick up this album, take it home, grab some cookies and a cup of Earl Gray, turn down the lights, or off completely, and let the music here wash over you and repair you from your day. ~operabruin

5 out of 5 stars A Real Gem.......2007-04-22

If you like music that paints a lush soundscape, you will love this CD. Unlike Enya, Loreena McKennitt is also a very good story teller. This is my favorite release of her's. The first 4 tracks are all magnificent. The last 4 aren't quite as strong, however, by then it is much too late to walk away from this gem.

5 out of 5 stars The mask and the mirror.......2007-03-09

An excellent CD! I like it for massages as well as for listening to in my car.

5 out of 5 stars The Mask and Mirror.......2007-01-09

This is the best Celtic music I have heard in a very long time. Loreena McKennit makes you feel like you are right there. Her voice is amazing. I highly recommend this cd
The Mask and Mirror
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Voice, Great Album
  • Almost but not quite....
 The Mask and Mirror
Loreena McKennitt
Manufacturer: Quinlan Road Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
CanadaCanada | North America | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
New AgeNew Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
FusionFusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Celtic New AgeCeltic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The Book of Secrets
  2. Elemental
  3. The Visit
  4. An Ancient Muse
  5. Parallel Dreams

ASIN: B0002VE1X4
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

  1. Mystic's Dream
  2. Bonny Swans
  3. Dark Night of the Soul
  4. Marrakesh Night Market
  5. Full Circle
  6. Santiago
  7. Cise le Ulaingt?/The Two Trees - Patrick Hutchinson, Loreena McKennitt
  8. Prospero's Speech

Album Details

BONUS DVD (PAL)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Voice, Great Album.......2006-08-05

Loreena McKennitt's 1994 album, The Mask and Mirror, is a continuting improvement in musical arragements and choice of songs from her earlier albums - not that the previous albums were bad, but the combination of McKennitt's beautiful voice and the songs on this album make this set a much stronger musical effort. Particularly impressive are "Night Market in Marrakesh" and "Santiago." Also, the bonus/enhanced CD is definitely a bonus, as much of it deals with the making of this album. Those two songs in particular have stories behind them, why they were selected for this album and giving a flovor to the land that they were based on. In all, this is an excellent album.

4 out of 5 stars Almost but not quite...........2006-03-24

Very nice, but "Book Of Secrets" is much better. The over all style is the same but I like the songs better on "secrets". Still I listen to this cd quite alot.
The Mask and Mirror
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not Mask and Mirror
  • Another "Must-Have" by Loreena McKennitt
  • A Real Gem
  • The mask and the mirror
  • The Mask and Mirror
 The Mask and Mirror
Loreena McKennitt
Manufacturer: Quinlan Road
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
CanadaCanada | North America | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
New AgeNew Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
FusionFusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Celtic New AgeCeltic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The Visit
  2. The Book of Secrets
  3. An Ancient Muse
  4. Parallel Dreams
  5. A Winter Garden: Five Songs for the Season

ASIN: B0002VEX50
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

  1. The Mystic's Dream
  2. The Bonny Swans
  3. The Dark Night Of The Soul
  4. Marrakesh Night Market
  5. Full Circle
  6. Santiago
  7. Ce He Mise Le Ulaingt? - The Two Trees
  8. Prospero's Speech

Amazon.com essential recording

McKennitt's travels through Spain and Morocco flavor this album with a distinctly Mediterranean tinge, from the opening "The Mystic's Dream," with its dancing percussion arrangements, to "Marrakesh Night Market," to "Full Circle" and the instrumental "Santiago." "Marrakesh Night Market" is an especially strong performance, with an interesting musical texture; the balalaika, udu drum, and dumbek are played alongside a synthesizer. As usual, McKennitt has set a poem to music, this time Yeats's "The Two Trees," with a lovely introduction on the Uillean pipes. There's also "The Bonny Swans," a traditional lyric, and the CD closes with Shakespeare, as McKennitt sets some of Prospero's words from The Tempest to her own music. Excerpts from McKennitt's journals, included in the CD booklet, make for interesting reading as they shed some light on her source material and inspiration for writing each song. --Genevieve Williams

Amazon.com

Loreena McKennitt drew her inspiration for this album from 15th century Spain, where the cultures of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam coexisted uneasily, tied together by a common tradition of religious mysticism. McKennitt reflects the multi-culturalism in arrangements that mix the half-tone intervals and familiar instruments of the Aryan north with the quarter-tone intervals and dumbeg, oud, and tamboura of the Semitic south. The results are often intoxicating, even if the composer consistently prefers slow-moving tempos. There's a tension and density to this music that safely removes it from the new- age category. McKennitt's attempts to evoke medieval mysticism in her lyrics are less successful. She fares best when she draws her texts from other sources: Prospero's closing speech from Shakespeare's "The Tempest," Yeats's "The Two Trees," "The Dark Night of the Soul" by the medieval Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross, and the traditional narrative ballad, "The Bonny Swans." One these numbers, the shadowy, mesmerizing atmospheres conjured up by McKennitt's music are enhanced by the words rather than spoiled by them. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Not Mask and Mirror.......2007-07-18

When it arrived the Cd case was correct but inside was The Visit instead, which I already had. It was also scrtached badly. When I attempted to contact the seller and I returned it, it came back Box Closed. Amazon refunded me.

5 out of 5 stars Another "Must-Have" by Loreena McKennitt.......2007-06-16

I just don't know how this lady does this! Every one of her releases is a "gotta have it" disc! Time after time, no exceptions.

Perhaps because of the careful attention put into them (they seem to be no closer than 2-3 years apart), perhaps it's because OF this distance, when one is "waiting for another", I don't know. What I DO know is that there is NOT ONE of this musician's albums unworthy of shelf space in your collection.

Always mystical, haunting, light, lovely, ethereal...the list could go on!
Everyone at least owes themselves a "good" listen to her at least a couple of times even if they end up not purchasing her albums. She is, to me, somebody you would live without ever knowing she or her output existed, but once listened to, she is someone you want "near" to you and your heart, thus the necessity to own these shiny little discs of her works!

As all her releases, this is a "composed through" album, a homogeneous set. As I've stated before, perhaps this is why her music stays with you in your mind long after hearing it, but I am not sure. All I know is that her voice, her music, and the orchestrations of it, will go right through you to your heart......there are few artists who can do this. Lucky for us, she is here, now, and we benefit greatly from her work(s).

Again, pick up this album, take it home, grab some cookies and a cup of Earl Gray, turn down the lights, or off completely, and let the music here wash over you and repair you from your day. ~operabruin

5 out of 5 stars A Real Gem.......2007-04-22

If you like music that paints a lush soundscape, you will love this CD. Unlike Enya, Loreena McKennitt is also a very good story teller. This is my favorite release of her's. The first 4 tracks are all magnificent. The last 4 aren't quite as strong, however, by then it is much too late to walk away from this gem.

5 out of 5 stars The mask and the mirror.......2007-03-09

An excellent CD! I like it for massages as well as for listening to in my car.

5 out of 5 stars The Mask and Mirror.......2007-01-09

This is the best Celtic music I have heard in a very long time. Loreena McKennit makes you feel like you are right there. Her voice is amazing. I highly recommend this cd
The Mask and Mirror / Live in San Francisco At the Palace of Fine Arts
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Mask and Mirror / Live in San Francisco At the Palace of Fine Arts

    Manufacturer: Warner Brothers
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Celtic New AgeCeltic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000EYLLT6

    Product Description

    DISC 1 (The Mask and Mirror): [1] The Mystic's Dream [2] The Bonny Swans [3] The Dark Night Of The Soul [4] Marrakesh Night Market [5] Full Circle [6] Santiago [7] The Two Trees [8] Prospero's Speech DISC 2 (Live in San Francisco at the Palace of Fine Arts) [1] The Mystic's Dream [2] Santiago [3] She Moved Through The Fair [4] Between The Shadows [5] The Lady Of Shalott [6] The Bonny Swans

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