LOREENA McKENNITT: Lost Souls (2018). My review...

   A few months ago the famous Canadian musician, singer and composer Loreena McKennitt, released her 10^th studio album, named as Lost Souls. 

  It is kind of an important release, because it is the first album (since The Ancient Muse - 2006), that is including her own material, and not cover versions of traditional songs.

  For those who are familiar with her music, probably know already that it is impossible for her to release a bad album. Not that all her albums are masterpieces, but they have some quality standards that can’t be ignored.

  The same stands for Lost Souls, which is a really beautiful, melodic and easy going album, including the usual ingredients of McKennitt’s music. Strong doses of Celtic traditional music, mixed with Mediterranean tunes, a plethora of instruments, and of course, her beautiful voice.

  Lost Souls consists of – mostly – older and unreleased material of hers, so the listener will experience a variety of styles and sounds, “polished” with the usual Ethnic varnish.

  The instrumental performance is inspirational, and McKennitt’s voice has never sounded so good. And because no Loreena McKennitt's album is complete without instrumentals, the two that are included here, Sun, Moon and Stars and Manx Ayre are exquisite.

 In case you are interested, the album is available in CD and Vinyl edition. 

  With this album, Loreena McKennitt invites us into a beautiful travel, from the Irish cloudy landscape, up to the Mediterranean coastline. Do not hesitate to try it! Because Loreena McKennitt is back and the world is a better place…

                 My Rating: 4.0 (out of 5.0) stars.

Here's a sample: Sun, Moon and Stars

                    

BIG BIG TRAIN: Merchants of Light (Live) (2018). My review...

  To those who are following the “modern” Progressive Rock scene, the name of Big Big Train should be very familiar. It is one of those bands that have seen their reputation grow with each passing year. Despite that the band has been active since the early 90’s, the truth is that they have become extremely popular among the Prog Rock followers during the last decade; mostly with the release of the albums English Electric Part  1 & Part 2 and Folklore.

  Big Big Train is a band that gives live performances not so often. So, the 3 live gigs that they gave last year at Cadogan Hall, London, became sold-out immediately. And those gigs were followed by this live album, that has been recorded during these 3 concerts.

  Merchants of Light can be found as double CD, including 16 tracks, and a very detailed and “rich” booklet. You also have the option of the 3-vinyl box set, or simply the digital version.

  The 16 track set is pulled from the band’s last 5 albums, Grimspound, Folklore, The Underfall Yard and English Electric I & II. (But 9 out of the 16 songs are from Folklore and Grimspound). (Also,  I was surprised to see that they didn’t include any song from their latest album The Second Brighter Star, which came out just a few months after Grimspound).

  The album opens with a string overture, before kicking into a rocking version of Folklore. Right after that, it’s time for the wonderful 12-minute-long epic Brave Captain, which happens to be one of my favourites. Song after song the band becomes better and better, until we reach to Swan Hunter, which is one of the best songs this band ever recorded and one of the album’s highlights.

  David Longdon’s voice is excellent, and the whole band gives a flawless performance. And when I say “the whole band” I mean 10 people on stage, including a horn session. And despite the difficulties, the mix and the production are simply excellent, and the album sounds perfect!

  Merchants of Light is not just a live album, it is an experience.  It captures one of the world’s best modern Progressive Rock bands at their very best.

 My Rating would be between 4.0 and 4.5 (out of 5.0) stars.
BIG BIG TRAIN: Swan Hunter (Live 2017)