The Book of Secrets

by Loreena McKennitt

Overview

The Book of Secrets, the follow-up to 1994's The Mask and Mirror -- there was a Christmas EP, A Winter Garden, released in 1995) -- finds Loreena McKennitt in the same musical vein, mixing Celtic, Spanish, Italian, and new age to create her own distinct sound. The only problem is that she did not seem to progress much during the time between releases. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since she still knows how to write incredible melodies and layer instruments to produce peaceful images. "Night Ride Across the Caucasus" and "Dante's Prayer" are just two prime examples of this. And she continues her practice of setting classic poetry to music (Alfred Noyes' "The Highwayman"). Expertly recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studios, this CD serves as a travelog of sorts for McKennitt, musically detailing her travels during 1995 and 1996. She provides the musical and lyrical inspirations from each location she visited, utilizing the instruments and sounds she encountered on her travels. Although she may be referred to as the Canadian Enya, McKennitt is definitely her own person, producing music of beauty and warmth. ~ Aaron Badgley

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2023
Label:	Barnes & Noble / Quinlan Road
UPC:	0774213551078
Rank:	3745

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Loreena McKennitt   Primary Artist,Harp,Kanun,Piano,Vocals,Accordion,Keyboards
Brian Hughes   Guest Artist,Oud,Bouzouki,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Classical),Guitar (Synthesizer)
Paul Clarvis   Drums (Snare)
Nigel Eaton   Hurdygurdy
Robin Jeffrey   Guitar
David Rhodes   Guitar (Electric)
Rick Lazar   Percussion
Steafan Hannigan   Bodhran
Martin Jenkins   Mandolin,Mandocello
Anne Bourne   Cello
Hossam Ramzy   Percussion
Aidan Brennan   Mandola,Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic)
Donald Quan   Tabla,Timba,Viola,Timbales,Keyboards
Manu Katche   Drums
Caroline LaVelle   Cello,Viola da Gamba
Martin Brown   Mandola,Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic)
Hugh Marsh   Violin
Johnathan Rees   Violin,Strings
Nick Hayley   Lira,Serp,Rebec
Danny Thompson   Bass (Acoustic)
Bob White   Shawm,Tin Whistle,Whistle (Instrument)
Osama   Violin
Chris Van Kampen   Cello,Strings
Iain King   Violin,Strings
Steve Pigott   Keyboards
Joanna Levine   Viola da Gamba
Andy Brown   Viola,Strings

Technical Credits

Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kevin Killen   Mixing,Engineer
Caroline Dale   Arranger,String Arrangements
Brian Gascoigne   Arranger,String Arrangements
Stuart Bruce   Mixing,Assembly,Engineer,Vocal Drone
Brian Hughes   Vocal Drone,Assistant Producer
Donald Quan   Vocal Drone,Assistant Producer
Jacquie Turner   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Doug Riley   Arranger,String Arrangements
Loreena McKennitt   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Alfred Noyes   Composer
Claude Fortin   Translation
Marco Migliara   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Ann Cutting   Photography
Justin Griffith   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer