An Ancient Muse [B&N Exclusive Version] Loreena McKennitt

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Track List
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An Ancient Muse [B&N Exclusive Version]

Disc 1
1LISTENIncantation 2:35
2LISTENThe Gates of Istanbul 6:59
3LISTENCaravanserai 7:35
4LISTENThe English Ladye and the Knight 6:48
5LISTENKecharitomene 6:34
6LISTENPenelope's Song 4:21
7LISTENSacred Shabbat 4:00
8LISTENBeneath a Phrygian Sky 9:29
9LISTENNever-Ending Road (Amhrán Duit) 8:32

Disc 2
1LISTENRaglan Road 6:13

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About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

After nearly a decade's span, Loreena McKennitt returns to the recording studio to pick up the journey she last explored on 1997's The Book of Secrets. That interval may seem like an eternity by pop-culture standards, but it's no more than a moment in the timeless musical world McKennitt conjures on An Ancient Muse. Like a travel guide through an imaginary, romanticized past, the Canadian singer-songwriter tours musical styles from Greece, Turkey, Spain, and other realms, while never quite losing sight of her Celtic home base. Beginning with an improvisational, wordless "Incantation," McKennitt ventures to "The Gates of Istanbul," treks "Beneath a Phrygian Sky," and stops over at a "Caravanserai" along a "Never-Ending Road," with oud, hurdy-gurdy, Swedish keyed fiddle, and other instrumental exotica as tuneful travel companions. On more familiar ground, McKennitt's lyrical vocals shine on the Celtic ballad "The English Ladye and the Knight" (with text by Sir Walter Scott), as well as on the mournful "Penelope's Song" (inspired by Homer's Odyssey), while "Raglan Road" -- a bonus track available only on this Barnes & Noble exclusive edition -- adds to the enchantment of the Celtic Queen's latest mystical musical voyage. EJ Johnson, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

Ancient Muse [B&N Exclusive Version]by Anonymous

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April 13, 2007: There have been a few complaints that much of the music on this album is recycled from previous albums but something to keep in mind: An overwelming majority of artist's music sounds similar from album to album. With that being said, I don't look at this album as being a new album. I look at it as a continuation of her previous album. McKennitt's voice contains a purity that I've only heard in one other artist. Her music speaks to the ancient soul, an echo from the past that if open to it we can connect to. It is a delight to the ears and whimsy for the imagination. An excellent album and I recommend it highly.

Ancient Muse [B&N Exclusive Version]by Anonymous

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April 08, 2007: I have all of her albums and will continue to support her however I agree with an earlier assessment that she uses many of the musical "riffs" from previous songs. You'll really notice in concert if she plays them back to back. I'd name them but for those of you just starting to explore her music I don't want to ruin it. The only real 'new' song is song #1 Incantation which for 2 1/2 minutes takes you on a journey where you've never been before. She returns you home quite quickly..not that home is a bad place to be....For all of her extensive traveling I expected more.


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