Loreena McKennitt - Midwinter Night's Dream
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Free Music Notes for Midwinter Night's Dream
Free Music Review: Music To Dream By
Hit: 5 Stars
No one can weave magic into a song like Loreena McKennitt. Her newest gift to her fans, "A Midwinter Night's Dream," was recorded in England, near Bath...and the Old English countryside can be heard through her lyrical musings. The album is a blend of eight new songs, and a re-mastering of five beloved songs from Loreena's 1995, "Winter Garden" album.
The opening song, "The Holy and the Ivy," (the song dates back nearly a thousand years), sets the stage of the album's ability to blend Christian and pagan celebrations together in perfect unity. The song provides imagery of symbolic evergreens growing in the dead of winter, giving hope to a new year. As does Loreena's music.
The winter holiday season is often a time of dreariness and depression, as we angst over what gifts to give, often becoming over-occupied by the negative. It is also, for many, a time of isolation, as the snow and ice accumulates. "A Midwinter Night's Dream," washes away the winter doldrums...and Loreena's thoughtful music selections, and her voice's mystical qualities, remind the listener to stop and reflect on the peace and joy within their own world.
Throughout the album, the intermixing of Old-world Celtic vocals blended with both Celtic and Middle Eastern arrangements, made me suspect that time-travelers were involved in the ancient classical songs' creations, as each song was composed as if were written specially for Loreena. I was especially pleased that one of my all-time favorites, "Snow" was featured on the song list (it is also on "To Drive The Cold Winter Away" and "Winter Garden"). I never tire of that song, from the opening cords I am swept away to another realm.
Among my other favorite tracks: "Seeds of Love (also on "Winter Garden"), and "Gloucestershire Wassail"...the first notes on that track always make me smile. It is wonderfully fun, and evokes visions of good friends, good ale, and good times!
Although "A Midwinter Night's Dream," is a collection of Christmas songs, it is truly a celebration of the Winter Solstice. With a timeless quality that will make you want to listen to the CD all year round. A must have for anyone who loves music that enchants the imagination and warms the heart and soul.
Dee Marie
Free Music Review: Destined to be a Holiday Classic!
Hit: 5 Stars
My collection of holiday albums has grown tremendously this year what with Enya, Sarah Brightman, and now Loreena McKennitt all putting out albums recently. I have to admit I'd forgotten about McKennitt since The Mummer's Dance hit local radio airwaves a few year's ago. Without even listening to the samples, I bought a copy of her holiday album - A Midwinter Night's Dream.
I love the cover: a dark painting of an array of animals decorating a tree with red ribbon. The inside flap reveals a few words for thought, "As the wheel of days turns into darkness, it reveals the light and hope of spring." It definitely sets a nice warm tone for the album. You'll be happy to find a booklet containing all of the words to each song inside if you care to learn some new carols and sing along.
The album itself is a wonderful collection of non-American holiday music that truly is outstanding. You may immediately recognize The Holly & The Ivy (the first track on the album), God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Good King Wenceslas. The other ten songs are rich in that Celtic style and worldly music feel which has made McKennitt so popular.
McKennitt is Canadian, but was born of both Irish and Scottish decent and her roots definitely shine through on each and every song with heavy bagpipes, flutes, and "pub-style" background singers.
If you are looking to add an exciting new flavor of holiday music to your player this year, or you are in search of something different to just play in the background at a holiday party, then McKennitt is it. The mix of carols, many with folk dance beats to enlighten the mood, is superb and will definitely conjure up visions of old world holidays!
Free Music Review: Finally! A full length Christmas album
Hit: 5 Stars
A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM is a mix of old and new Christmas songs from Loreena McKennitt. Loreena essentially took A WINTER GARDEN and released it under another name and added eight more songs to create a sumptuous listening experience to put the listener into the Christmas spirit. As a long time fan of Loreena McKennitt's music, A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM was a must have for this fan. Loreena could have easily put together a cheesy traditional Christmas album of old Christmas standards but she doesn't. Instead she carefully chose which songs she wanted to put on A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM. There were a few songs that I wasn't familiar but the beauty of the melodies and Loreena's hypnotic vocals made the listening experience very enjoyable. I loved the instrumental "Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle". The melodies had me within seconds. Another wonderful track is "Good King Wenceslas". I think Loreena's version is my personal favorite of all the versions I have heard over the years. I love how the cover art for A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM is anything but traditional. All of the songs on the album are wondeful. I really do appreciate the fact that Loreena did not opt to make your standard Christmas album with "Silent Night" and "Away in a Manger". That would have been too predictable. Some people might not be happy about it but I'm not one of those people. Once again, Loreena provides for her fans stunning artwork for her cd. I love the uniqueness in the imagery she chose. A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM is a definite must have for Loreena McKennitt fans. This is one Christmas cd I will be listening to all year round.Free Music Review: Don't Pass This Up
Hit: 5 Stars
If you're already a Loreena fan, then you own this CD. If that's not the case yet, it's precisely what you expect and you should buy it when your budget allows.
If this is your first consideration of a work by this artist, then congratulations. You've uncovered an exquisite treasure to be cherished for a long time. By that I mean this amazing talent in general and, more specifically, this particular set of seasonal tunes. Loreena has prepared for you an enriching mix of songs you'll find as delightful as winter's breath stirring a snow drift into a Dervish dance.
This isn't your trendy A-list artist spinning the obligatory set of well-treaded yuletide faves. This isn't the background Musak you'll hear droning at the mall. This isn't the Christmas playlist churned out by the Top 40 radio station. No. You've got something unique here.
This is a luscious melange of pleasing holiday tunes built upon Celtic, Middle Eastern and other worldly instrumentals and rhythms and buoyed by Loreena's heaven-gifted voice. It's a sumptuous set of ear-candy for you, your family, and your holiday guests to enjoy.
Add this CD to your collection. Give it a try these winter months. Then see if you aren't ready to acquire more of Loreena's works. Be prepared for a musical journey that's nothing less than magical.
Free Music Review: An enchanting, eclectic Christmas collection
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't know of a singer today with a more magickal, ethereal voice than Loreena McKennitt, nor is there one who brings together so many different sources for her songs, from classic poetry to world myth, blending them into a glorious collage of sounds and words. And this collection of songs for the season is just that: a mix of many different songs for a multi-faceted holiday. There are original compositions like her own "Snow" and "Seeds of Love", which celebrate winter and anticipate the return of spring. There's traditional fare like "God Rest ye, Merry Gentlemen", but she makes it seem new by singing the verses you rarely hear. "The Holly and the Ivy" brings us familiar lyrics reset to a new melody. "Bring a Torch, Jeanette" made me want to get up and dance. The rollicking a capella "Gloucestershire Wassail" sounds just the way a bunch of lusty wassailers should sound. And there's a few unusual songs that you rarely hear on other Christmas collections, such as "Coventry Carol", and the French "Noel Nouvelet". I think of all the new Christmas collections I've picked up this season, this is the most diverse and original, definitely one I'll be keeping in rotation from Christmas to Christmas, and maybe even picking it up when I need a little touch of the Christmas spirit.