| An Ancient Muse | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 236 reviews)
Sales Rank: 469
Category: Music
Artist: Loreena Mckennitt
Publisher: Verve
Studio: Verve
Manufacturer: Verve
Label: Verve
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.4
MPN: 000792002
UPC: 774213121097
EAN: 0774213121097
ASIN: B000J3EEBY
Release Date: November 21, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Hypnotic shades of the desert and beyond July 2, 2008
I've had this album for about a year, and I can tell you it really is one of my favorites! The blending of musical styles and instruments, not to mention the musical expertise of all the accompaniament is quite unique! Like many others, I am particularly fond of the Middle Eastern influence in such pieces as 'Caravanserai.' To me, pieces like this are written in 'camel time,'which is the cadence of camels crossing the endless desert, going somewhere, but a long, long way to go.... Excellent music for driving long distances, background music, music for contemplation and many other things as well, it is at once mesmerising, soothing and illuminating as well. While it has taken Loreena ten years to come out with something new, when you consider the work and expertise by all parties that has gone into this, it really doesn't surprise me at all; perfection takes a long time to master! I styrongly recommend this one, and if you like it (and I am pretty sure you will!) then try the new 'Night at the Alhambra' as well......
 "this prayer for Mother Earth" June 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fans of Loreena McKennitt will be pleased with this long-awaited album. It has a lot of similarities to her earlier work, but is different enough that I didn't feel like it was a rehash. You'll especially like this if you enjoyed the increasing Middle Eastern influences in McKennitt's last few albums. _An Ancient Muse_ is where the scale tips, more Middle Eastern than Celtic. You might guess that just by the (gorgeous) cover, though!
What I noticed most, besides the sheer beauty of the music, is that the recent years of war have weighed heavily on McKennitt. Several of the songs on _An Ancient Muse_ deal with the theme of war, and the tragedy thereof. "Caravanserai" and "Beneath a Phrygian Sky" mention war explicitly, mourning the "years of war," the "sword and gun and hatred." "Penelope's Song" is less blatant, but as it's about the Greek heroine who waited for her husband to come home from Troy, it fits.
Even when McKennitt returns to the tragic love ballad, with "The English Ladye and the Knight," there's something in the "feel" of the song that seems to focus more on "love one another" than on these two lovers in particular. I don't think it's an accident that McKennitt chose a ballad that features a Crusades death and has the refrain "for Love shall still be lord of all."
This is a beautiful album and I definitely recommend it. It has her usual haunting vocals and entrancing melodies, and seems to possess a subtle but inescapable moral: war is hell, and love is the only hope.
Another Flower from Her Musical Garden April 6, 2008
In this very humble devotee's opinion, Loreena McKennitt could sing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" and it would sound as if inspired by a great poet of yore, sung by the priestess of a mystic goddess. Needless to say, all of her CDs receive my highest rating. The only difference between them in my estimation is that one or the other my have certain all time favorite songs or poems--and ALL of them feature a lot of those.
McKennitt continues her exploration of Middle Eastern musical phrasing, so wonderful & prominent in NIGHTS FROM THE ALLHAMBRA.
Another element that really shines out in this CD is the superlative quality of the accompanying instrumental composition & musicians. "Kecharitomene" is a powerful non-vocal composition & performance. It's really great to hear the hurdy gurdy played on many of the pieces. I can't single out any performer because they all sounded wonderful. Also, there were some instruments I wasn't familiar with--and synthesizing made identification difficult at some points. The lead instrument in the "Caravanserai" selection sounded like a violin. was SO GOOD. In fact, it reflected a very pleasant overall romantic feel to this CD.
"Caravanserai" bestows "the gift of tears" (at least for me) and beckons like a ray of light in this very sad world. This lovely song can be heard as a musical prologue to the next song The English Ladye and The Knights, with its Palestrina like choral intro and conclusion.
"Kecharitomene" is a powerful non-vocal composition & incredible performance.
Nights from the Alhambra - (Jewel 2 CD + DVD)
The Book of Secrets
The Mask and Mirror
The Visit
Elemental
Parallel Dreams
Loreena does it again! March 20, 2008
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
LOVE it!! Sarah Sanctuary The Sacred Pyramid Voices of Eternity
Darrell Combs, Cortland, OH March 18, 2008
Bought this recording in 2007 upon its release; An Ancient Muse is an excellent work of art. Although it was a long wait since her last release, it was well worth the wait. I can't say enough positive about the music and the warmth it brings to the listener. Among my 1,000 cd collection, it's one that I keep close to my player. I've got to say it's in my top 10 favorite cd's and will remain there for quite some time. You won't be disappointed in buying this one.
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