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The best Celtic music transports its listeners to a different time and place--sometimes, even to another planet, a mystical location where all things are possible. And since this is Loreena McKennitt, you know that it's the best in Celtic music, so you should ready yourself for an out-of-this-world trip! A Midwinter Night's Dream plucks the five songs from McKennitt's A Winter Garden (1995), then incorporates eight new songs inspired by classic holiday chestnuts. The result is an ethereal package of Celtic Christmas delights.

I should caution that A Midwinter Night's Dream, as the album's name suggests, does venture into non-holiday territory with tracks such as Snow and Seeds of Love. No worries; these lovely numbers fit as naturally as any well-worn carol might, and the overall ambiance celebrates the changing seasons and the joys associated with love and celebration.

Most site visitors reading this review are likely already familiar with Loreena McKennitt, whose earnest folk/Celtic intonations have made traditional music spring to life for more than 20 years. Her vocals are weightless and crystalline, but not cloying, and she surrounds herself here with fine instrumental support. The mood is upbeat--and a bit magical and other-worldly.

A Midwinter Night's Dream overflows with rewarding Celtic flair. My favorite tracks include the Middle Eastern flavors of Noel Nouvelet! (sung in Old French), the unorthodox, tremulous interpretation of The Holly & the Ivy (a smashing intro), the haunting Eastern treatment of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, and the gutsy, a cappella rendition of Gloucestershire Wassail, complete with cheery layers of harmonies. The album closes with a moving instrumental version of In the Bleak Midwinter; the soothing strings provide a rich palette on which to reflect as the notes draw to a close.

For those who favor Celtic stylings, this holiday album is a spell-binder. For those unfamiliar with Loreena McKennitt, A Midwinter Night's Dream will provide a seductive introduction. Anyone who embraces folk music--or traditional music of any origin--should find much to applaud here. Lovely!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

As the wheel of days turns into darkness,
it reveals the light and hope of spring.

The seasons have always held their mysteries and wonders, and we mere mortals have been fascinated by them and driven to understand our inter-relationship with the natural world, as we try to discover the spiritual and religious significance of it all.

Over the centuries, music has become a conduit for that reflection as it strives to capture the interweave of our existence. This recording is one modest rendering of that fascination, a kind of discovery chest of musical merry making, inspired by some traditions I have encountered along the way.

May the spirit of love, joy and renewal be yours. --LM

Musicians:

Loreena McKennitt: vocals, harp, keyboards, piano, accordion
Abdelli: vocal (7), mandola (7)
Waiel Aho Baker Ali: violin (5,7)
Bob Berry: vocal (11)
Gill Berry: vocal (11)
Dan Ar Braz: Acoustic guitar (5)
Aidan Brennan: acoustic guitar (5,8,10)
Bernard Coulter: vocal (11)
Simon Edwards: acoustic and electric bass, marimbula, sentir
Ben Grossman: hurdy gurdy, percussion
Brian Hughes: acoustic and electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, celtic bouzouki
George Koller: acoustic bass
Caroline Lavelle: cello
Rick Lazar: percussion
Hugh Marsh: violin
Stratis Psaradellis: Greek lyra, lute (3,4)
Donald Quan: tabla, viola, accordion
Hossam Ramzy: percussion
Ellen Robotham: vocal (11)
Philippa Toulson: vocal (11)
Eddie Upton: vocal (11)
Robert A. White: shawm, uilleann pipes, whistle


From the Website:

Canadian singer/composer Loreena McKennitt is self-managed, self-produced, and the head of her own internationally successful record label, Quinlan Road. In a recording career spanning nearly two decades, McKennitt's "eclectic Celtic" music has won critical acclaim worldwide and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in fifteen countries across four continents.

Born in the province of Manitoba, Canada, Loreena moved to Stratford, Ontario, Canada in 1981, where she still resides. She has acted and sung in, and composed music for Stratford Festival of Canada productions ranging from The Tempest (1982) to The Merchant Of Venice (2001).

Her recording career began in 1985 with the album Elemental. In the fledgling years of her label Quinlan Road, Loreena ran its operations from her kitchen table, selling recordings by mail order and producing her own concert tours across the country. Quinlan Road's catalogue is currently distributed around the world by The Verve Music Group (US), Universal Music (Canada and other territories including Italy and Spain) and a number of independents including Keltia Music (France) and SPV (Germany).

Loreena continues to manage her career from her Stratford base. An active member of her community, she has founded and oversees important charitable undertakings in the fields of water safety and family/childhood support services.

McKennitt

A Midwinter's Night Dream

Artist link

Track List