Search - Loreena McKennitt: Nights from the Alhambra (Amaray - DVD + 2CD) on DVD

A spectacular concert in a magnificent setting

Geoff Hall | Borehamwood, UK | 08/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reason why I am reviewing this nearly before its release here in the UK is that I saw Loreena McKennitt in her only UK concert at London's Barbican Theatre on 3 April. After a magnificent evening, I bought a copy of the CD/DVD set for £25 at the tour sales stand. Paying the extra for having the set before the official release date is money well spent.

The concert was recorded in September 2006 at the Alhambra Palace in Granada. It must be said that Loreena's music melds beautifully with the backdrop of the palace and whoever had the idea for the concert here was truly inspired.

There are 18 tracks on the album - the 2 CDs - and the order is the same for the DVD. There is a commentary by Loreena at intervals throughout the concert and you get a real understanding of how her mind works, in putting together the historical images which shape her albums; each album being a history lesson and a travelogue for her research which culminates in her marvellous albums.

There are tracks from all her studio albums:

* Penelope's Song", "Caravanserai" and "Never-Ending Road (Amhran Duit)" are all from "An Ancient Muse", the brilliant new album;

* "The Mystic's Dream", "The Bonny Swans" and "Santiago" are from "The Mark And Mirror";

* "She Moved Through The Fair" and "Stolen Child" are from "Elemental";

* "The Mummer's Dance", "Marco Polo" and "Dante's Prayer" are from "The Book Of Secrets";

* "Bonny Portmore", "All Souls Night", an abbreviated version of "The Lady Of Shalott", "The Old Ways" and "Cymbeline" are all from "The Visit"; and

* "Huron 'Beltane' Fire Dance" is from "Parallel Dreams".

Finally, there is a wonderful version of "Raglan Road, the poem written by Patrick Kavanagh.

The musicians are a stellar A-list group, including many of those who have played on Loreena's studio albums - Brian Hughes, Caroline Lavelle, Donald Qwan, Hugh Marsh to name just a few. However, there are many more top-class musicians playing here and when you add Loreena's voice, the result is startlingly wonderful and unforgettable.

This is a major concert in a magnificent setting - a spectacular occasion which all fans will enjoy. For all British fans, it is hoped that Loreena will return for more concerts soon. I guess the same will go for her fans on the other side of the pond (and the rest of the world!)."

Wonderful Concert

jr_Tech | Portland OR. area | 08/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For fans of Loreena McKennitt, this is the concert video that we have all been waiting for... it is just stunning!

There is a possible point of confusion here, as there are TWO versions of the same performance offered on Amazon. The ONLY difference is the packaging, both contain 3 disks (2 cd's and one DVD). This set is packaged in a DVD sized container, and the other is packaged as a jewel box set. At first, I ordered both, thinking that one set was a DVD video and the other was a CD audio version. After I realized my mistake, I canceled the jewel box order and kept this DVD sized package (which was cheaper at the time).

Don't get "suckered in" like I did, for awhile Amazon listed the two versions as a buy BOTH together deal, but this has now been changed to a more realistic offer.

Whichever version you buy, I am sure you will be captivated by this magnificent performance, recorded in a magnificent setting!
"

THE BEST

Annette Hadley | Columbia, TN United States | 07/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This concert was broadcast on PBS earlier this year. I had liked Loreena McKennitt ever since my brand-new husband introduced me to her latest CD at a Biltmore Village, North Carolina music store in 1999. BOOK OF SECRETS, at that time, was her most recent recording. This is the concert that made me buy the rest of her catalogue. This is a wonderful concert. Loreena is truly a very gifted singer/songwriter/performer, and the musicians who accompany her are no less than superb. Her words and music transport the listener to faraway lands and mystical places and it's a good place to go. I paid $35.00 for this DVD which included a 2-disc CD at her Nashville, Tennessee concert at the Ryman and I've had it since April. My husband and I ended up walking back to our car with a little man who had come to the concert by himself and who was obviously enamored with the singer. "Best concert I've ever been to!" he told us, with a great big ol' grin on his face. We wholeheartedly agreed with him. If you buy it from AMAZON, you won't pay as much as I did and I'll tell you right now, if you enjoy Loreena McKennitt, you will enjoy this set. Buy the CD also and then you can enjoy it in the car as you travel! Raves!!!"

Don't miss her tour this season

E. Berry | Lincoln Park, Michigan USA | 10/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To listen to Loreena's music is one thing; to see her perform live is quite another. Just yesterday evening, in Cleveland Ohio, my family and I attended her performance. We all agreed that this may have been the best live event we'd ever been to. The only thing that would have made it better would have been the context of the Granada, Spain location. If you are a fan, or even a casual fan, as myself, you will move heaven and earth to make her live event in your area. It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I decided to go. Make sure you ask to be granted a "meet and greet" after the show; they do let the first ten who ask meet her on her way back to her tour bus. She will take time to sign your concert programm or CD/DVD...whatever. My 16 year old niece got to fullfill one of her dreams to actually meet and give a gentle hug (with permission) to Loreena. She does appreciate her fans and my family apprecaites her for taking the time after the show to let us get closer. Make sure to get this DVD/CD combo; I bought one after the show to remember the live event. It is a must have."