A Mediterranean Odyssey comprises a richly designed Limited Edition 2 disc set commemorating Loreena McKennitt's 2009 Mediterranean Tour. Designed to attract not only the legions of devoted Loreena listeners, but to expose... more » and inspire the uninitiated to an exotic, haunting and emotional musical experience they will never forget. A glittering addition to Loreena McKennitt's catalogue - A Mediterranean Odyssey combines NEW live performances of audience favourites from her 2009 Mediterranean Tour with a collection of previously released studio recordings. Inspired by the tones, textures and rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean, this latest release features virtuosic performances on authentic instruments including oud, lyra, bouzouki, harp and hurdy-gurdy alongside electric guitar, cello and percussion. Experience the continuing journey of the Celts across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with this evocative 2-disc set. Disc 1 "The Olive and the Cedar" A Mediterranean-inspired collection of 11 studio recordings personally selected by Loreena McKennitt from her back catalogue. Disc 2 "From Istanbul to Athens" Is 56 minutes of concert highlights from the 2009 Mediterranean Tour including five songs not featured in previous Loreena McKennitt "in concert" releases. Includes a 24 page, lavishly illustrated booklet featuring on-location photographs captured during the tour.« less
A Mediterranean Odyssey comprises a richly designed Limited Edition 2 disc set commemorating Loreena McKennitt's 2009 Mediterranean Tour. Designed to attract not only the legions of devoted Loreena listeners, but to expose and inspire the uninitiated to an exotic, haunting and emotional musical experience they will never forget. A glittering addition to Loreena McKennitt's catalogue - A Mediterranean Odyssey combines NEW live performances of audience favourites from her 2009 Mediterranean Tour with a collection of previously released studio recordings. Inspired by the tones, textures and rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean, this latest release features virtuosic performances on authentic instruments including oud, lyra, bouzouki, harp and hurdy-gurdy alongside electric guitar, cello and percussion. Experience the continuing journey of the Celts across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with this evocative 2-disc set. Disc 1 "The Olive and the Cedar" A Mediterranean-inspired collection of 11 studio recordings personally selected by Loreena McKennitt from her back catalogue. Disc 2 "From Istanbul to Athens" Is 56 minutes of concert highlights from the 2009 Mediterranean Tour including five songs not featured in previous Loreena McKennitt "in concert" releases. Includes a 24 page, lavishly illustrated booklet featuring on-location photographs captured during the tour.
CD Reviews
A sort of "GREATEST HITS" album
Quo Primum | USA | 10/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who could not see Loreena in Budapest, this is the next best thing. I nearly gave this four stars - but decided that five stars were merited for both Loreena's talent and for the incredible musicians. What almost lost her a star was that there IS NO NEW MATERIAL on this CD set. All of the songs are available on her other sets.
One CD is just a sampling of her music, sort of a "greatest hits" collection without actually putting that on the CD cover - maybe Loreena thought that was too passe', too ABBAish, if I can turn that group into an adjective....(And Yes, ABBA was a fun band)
The other CD has an assortment of her music recorded at the various locations on her latest tour and it would have been fantastic to see her perform these in Budapest and Istanbul. She has changed some of the songs slightly, and her voice has a warmth and depth that it does not have on the Alhambra DVD. The other change is a greater emphasis of the bass guitar, which can seem out of place with the Celtic/Byzantine direction she had been going, and makes it sound a little more jazzy. The violin is not as pronounced as it was on Alhambra, which is a capital shame since Hugh is so singularly talented, and Nigl has been entirely replaced on the hurdy gurdy, AND YOU CAN TELL. What happened to Nigl?
I enjoyed this for the warm tone of Loreena's voice, and it is replete with beauty and talent - just wish it had some new material. If I had to pick one CD to take with me, it would still be the Alhambra."
A Mediterranean Odyssey
E. Anderson | 12/11/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Loreena Mckennitt can do no wrong with me. Her beautiful voice gives me so much joy whenever I listen to her sing. She is one of the few artists whose music I will always buy, new music or not. That is the case with her latest release A Mediterranean Odyssey, a two CD box set based on Loreena's tour in countries set along the Mediterranean sea like Greece. The first CD is The Olive and the Cedar, a collection of Loreena's music. It is kind of like an unofficial greatest hits/best of quality. The album features songs dating back to The Visit. The second disc is From Istanbul to Athens, a live disc. While there is no new material on the whole box set, I never get tired of listening to songs like "Santiago" or "Full Circle". As much as I enjoyed this collection, I find myself enjoying Loreena's previous release Nights from the Alhambra. Nevertheless A Mediterranean Odyssey is a nice hold me over until Loreena puts out an album of new material. I think A Mediterranean Odyssey is a good introduction for new fans looking to check out Loreena's music, this is a good way to hear her music."
This is a good set, but.......
Tammi Fabris | Magalia, CA | 11/17/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD set is a nice collection, however, there are many repeated tracks from her Marco Pollo CD. That was a bit disappointing. Enjoy the set."
21 tracks, 20 great ones.
Darrel Drumm | Bunch, OK United States | 01/12/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Loreena's voice. This 2-cd collection is a combination live/greatest hits collection. I found every song, except one, to be wonderfully inspiring. The only thing I don't understand, and I've never understood this from any artist---why put a truncated radio or single cut on a recording? It is so disappointing to be listening to The Mummer's Dance and have it cut in the middle to make it shorter. I just do not understand that---Don McLean had American Pie done that way, I've heard In-a-la-ga-da-vida done that way and it just doesn't make sense."
Nice package but dissappointed over edits
Orpheus | Wenatchee, Washington | 07/23/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I have loved Lorreena since Mask and Mirror so I was excited to get this collection. Overall it is nice to hear and the packaging is beautiful. My major dissapointment with this collection is that some of the songs on the studio compilation are edited, like "Dark Night of the Soul". Even though I have the original album that the song was released on, I would have liked to have the original to enjoy while listening to this collection. I don't mind compilation that really have nothing new on them, especially when there is a theme, but don't edit the songs to get you to buy the original albums. Also warn the consumer that songs are edited so they can make an informed choice on whether to buy the cd before they leave the store and are unable to return the item because it has been opened."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1