The Mummer’s Dance
People know me as an American Roots music guy, and that’s primarily what I’m involved with as both a recordist and player. However, there are many other styles of music I like. I have always had a soul-connection with Celtic music. I discovered Clannad in the late 80’s, and was captivated by their atmospheric and mystical sound. They’re still my favorite of the genre. About 10 years ago I happened upon the music of Canadian artist Loreena McKennitt. Her songs take Celtic roots and grow them out in all directions, most interestingly into layers of ancient music, as well as with Mediterranean and middle-eastern influences. Essentially, Loreena has traced the musical journey of the Celts back to its Phoenician origins, picking up some beautiful undertones and overtones along the way. I especially like what my ears hear as “Spanish” tonalities. A pianist and Irish harpist herself, Loreena loves to weave sonic tapestries using the coloration of antique instruments like hurdy-gurdy, mandola, viola da gamba, oud, Victorian guitar, drone-instruments, and many more. On this spellbinding track, “The Mummer’s Dance” from 1997’s “Book of Secrets” LP, you hear how beautifully she mixes this diverse instrumentation with middle-eastern percussion. Over the top of it all, her ringing soprano takes us on trip through the mists of time. Produced by Loreena at Peter Gabriel’s Real World studio with co-producer Brian Hughes and engineer Kevin Killen, “Mummer’s Dance” is a dreamy and enchanting sonic sojourn, and one of my favorite all-time recordings. Pardon the cheesy YouTube vid. This is about the audio. Here’s a live version which is quite different but also awesome: http://youtu.be/DMYm1LL-E5Y
