Search - Loreena McKennitt :: Parallel Dreams (Bonus DVD)

Loreena McKennitt Unplugged (Parallel Dreams 2.0)

Peter Manale | LOWELL, MA United States | 12/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While perhaps not as well-known as her later releases, "Parralel Dreams" is still my favorite Loreena McKennitt CD. True, the production values are not as lush and exotic as her "The Mask and Mirror" and "The Book of Secrets" albums but in these songs her voice and harp are highlighted to hauntingly beautiful effect. While tackling such bleak themes as lost love, murder, homelessness, and torture, each song is sung with an emotional radiance that can send shivers down your spine and warmth into your heart. As Loreena says in her liner notes, "If there is a recurrent thread that runs through these dreams [songs], it is one of yearning toward love, liberty and integration." Now that the CD has been remastered for better sound quality AND includes a free DVD as well, no true Loreena McKennitt fan should be without this album. The DVD consists of a 30-minute short in which Loreena discusses her music and inspiration, 2 music videos, and selected musical samples from her albums. This DVD satisfies my (parallel?) dreams of both hearing and seeing LM doing what she does best. I've upgraded to this new edition; get yours while you still can!"

Loreena the Celtic songstress weaves dream-music

C. B Collins Jr. | Atlanta, GA United States | 10/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lorenna McKennitt is the Celtic Queen of the 21st Century. She links us to the romantic, sad, and tragic Celtic tradition with a contemporary flair. She rearranges traditional Irish folk songs and also writes contemporary works that hark back to that age.



In "Samain Night" and "Moon Cradle" she displays her considerable musical talent with her hauntingly beautiful voice and superb pacing of lyrics. Like the great Jazz vocalist, Ella Fitzgerald, or the super-star Joni Mitchell, Loreeena's control and pacing is fantastic causing the listener to hold their breath with each pause.



In "Huron Beltane Fire Dance" we are treated to a contemporary tune with Irish undertones.



In "Annachie Gordon" this traditional work is not rushed but is fully developed over 8 minutes, as Lorrena weaves a tale of love for a handsome young poor man, Annachie, by Jeannie. Jeannie's father insists she must marry a rich man rather than the pretty poverty stuck Annachie. Jeannie argues with her parents but they insist she marry. After the marriage she refuses to sleep with the Gentelman she marries and she warns her family that she will die if she can not love Annachie. As her brides maids undress her for the bridal chamber, she falls dead from a broken heart. When the maids tell Annachie he rushes to her body, kisses her cold lips, and then also dies of love. Wow! These folks knew how to love didn't they? At least Romeo and Juliett had poisons and swords. McKennitt's treatment of this song is very straight and traditional without irony but rather as a soft tale of love's power.



"Standing Stones" is actually a ghost story as young lovers part in the night and as the male lover returns home a dark figure jumps him and stabs him in the heart. As the female lover reachers her home, she sees an apparition of him holding his wet chest and pointing to the stars above as he vanishes in the mist.



"Dickens' Dublin (The Palace)" is an odd but interesting piece. While Loreena sings a sad tale of a poor young homeless woman, an Irish waif recites the Christman story with emphasis on the stable shelter where Mary and St. Joseph seek refuge so that she might bear the Christ child.



"Breaking the Silence" evokes the theme of freedom for oppressed people and is devoted to Amnesty International.



"Ancient Pines" is from the film "Goddess Remembered", and evokes the theme of the earth's final release from the torments of the human race upon its resources and beauty.



The CD is very even in tone and mood, allowing you to dream and drift as she goes from song to song. Her incredible Celtic voice pierces your heart but her delivery could sooth a restless sea."

Loreena's Parallel Dreams

Alan Caylow | USA | 11/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"That voice...that harp....pure heaven. Loreena McKennitt's 1989 album "Parallel Dreams" is a very beautiful album, featuring such haunting, atmospheric, magical songs as "Samain Night," "Annachie Gordon," "Ancient Pines," and my personal favorite, "Standing Stones." Once again, Loreena simply casts a spell over the listener, with her goddess-like voice, harp-playing, and musical arrangements. "Parallel Dreams" is an excellent disc."