McKennitt's
recordings always have the quality of a spiritual sojourn; her songs are
those of a seeker, whether she's setting Yeats, Scripture, or her own words
to her compositions. It's this that attracts people to her music, and The
Book of Secrets is no exception, whether it's the lazy rhythms of
"Marco Polo," the sober joy of "The Mummers' Dance," the
poignancy of "Skellig" or "Dante's Prayer," or the drama
of "The Highwayman." "The Highwayman" is particularly
strong. This is music that can be enjoyed on many levels.
I
gave this CD to my wife and now I can never get it back, but she rewards
me with a listen now and then. The
duo of Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland and Irish violinist Fionnuala
Sherry this twosome's attractive, smartly conceived mix of compatible
elements including light classical, urbane New Age, and well-mannered
contemporary Celtic. The album has quiet pieces as well as fast,
classic/folk, pieces well worth a listen to.
