She mixes themes from Europe and Near East with the rhythmic and instrumental approaches of the Celtic world. Sometimes traditional and sometimes completely inventive she is capable of perpetual surprises."The Book of Secrets" is a musical journey through the relatives and contemporaries of the Celtic tradition. While primarily in the Celtic tradition, she is always pushing the borders. "Loreena McKennitt is a singer songwriter who defies generalizations. Great cover art too.really sets the tone for the album, I think.And her voice sure is gorgeous, isn't it?" Some of those ethnic touches are hard to put your finger on, so having it pointed out helps. The chorus really is the best thing ever.well, almost!And she sings like an angel, doesn't she? Additionally, this CD features a great set of liner notes that sports little bits from McKennitt's journals, highlighting some of the influences for these songs, which I found very interesting. It must be something in the heavenly poetry, the exquisite melodies, or the stunning vocals. I can't explain it, but "Night Ride Across the Caucasus" means a lot to me deep down. This ten-minute piece seems a bit repetitive for the first few listens, although you'll later find that the immaculately crafted composition subtly builds in intensity, adding the presence of stronger percussion and a more desperate, emotional flavor. Especially noteworthy is the tragic ballad "The Highwayman" set to music. If the gorgeous and elegiac "Dante's Prayer" doesn't give you goosebumps, you must be a zombie. "Marco Polo" might evoke images of Oriental landscapes, while "Skellig" generates lamenting - and somewhat romantic - imagery. The pristine recording quality heightens the album's mystique, making every instrument perfectly clear in even the broadest arrangement.And isn't that voice beautiful? Each song tells its own story, but the beautiful, exotic soundscapes lend themselves very much to the listener's imagination. Her skill as a composer is likewise impressive, as she stacks ethnic influences on a foundation of tried-and-true Celtic resources that makes for beautiful and compelling songcraft.
Loreena McKennitt's voice is a marvel, synthesizing the superhuman accuracy and strength of operatic soprano with the rich narrative quality of folk singers.