Nights From The Alhambra[DVD/2 CD Combo]

I've been a fan of Loreena McKennitt since 1997 when I heard her song, "The Mummers' Dance," coming over the radio as I lay there in bed one Saturday morning. Later that day, I purchased her album, "The Book of Secrets," which featured "The Mummers' Dance." Outstanding artist! I enjoyed the other songs on that album as well to include, "The Highwayman." Ms McKennitt is truly gifted and her music ingenious. As I listened, I could pick out a wide multitude of instruments being played and often wondered how many people does she have accompanying her. This I would discover to a point when I saw her video for "The Mummers' Dance."Recently, I decided to do a YouTube search on Loreena McKennitt to see what videos were posted there. There were quite a few live concert segments I found from her CD/DVD album, "Nights from the Alhambra." I was very intrigued and impressed, especially at seeing all of the musicians she had accompanying her on stage. So, I decided to purchase this CD/DVD collection through Amazon. Man, that was definitely the right purchase to make!"Nights from the Alhambra" is simply outstanding and so amazing! Ms McKennitt's music is so beautiful, and her gift for playing the piano, accordion, and harp is so delightful and enchanting. I never realized just how impressive a harp could be until Loreena puts her hands on one. And, the gifted muscians she has on stage with her are all in a class of their own! Brian Hughes can make anything closely resembling a guitar come to life. Hugh Marsh is simply magical in his improvisation on the violin. And, Caroline Lavelle is skill and beauty in motion as she draws her bow across the strings of her cello, her facial expressions depicting the love and intimacy she puts into her music. I could go on with regards to the other musicians, but we'd be here all day.The other beauty of the DVD is watching the interaction of the musicians as they play off one another or in support of the other. You can see all of them watch each other so as to adjust their play in order to compliment and not dominate whoever is being featured during a piece. You can also see the appreciation these professionals have for their fellow artists' skills and talent. It's musical teamwork that's well-orchastrated and in motion. It is such fun to watch. And, making this DVD such a delight to watch is the outstanding skill of the cameramen as they capture the perfect angles and closeups of the musicians so as to put you right in the middle of the ensemble.Simply put, "Nights from the Alhambra" is brilliant and most entertaining. If you enjoy the music of Loreena McKennitt, or appreciate a fine collection of musicians putting their heart and soul into their art while having fun at the same time, then "Nights from the Alhambra" is something worth checking out.

I am not a big fan of Loreena but I know of her and am familiar with some of her music and what she is all about. I have the 'Book of Secrets' and 'Ancient Muse' cds. I watched this on PBS. I also had the pleasure of seeing this live when Loreena came to my city in support of the 'Ancient Muse' cd I mentioned. It was wonderful! I am so glad I have this now on dvd to watch anytime and listen to the cds of just the music which is a bonus. I am familiar with:'Mummers Dance' 'Marco Polo' 'Dante's Prayer' which is one of my very favorites of hers thus the "Greatest Hits." Three songs from 'Ancient Muse' are here: 'Caravanserai' and two of her and two of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard 'Penelope's Song' and 'Never Ending Road' thus the "And More." The other songs are a mix of songs from her Celtic roots: 'She Moved Through the Fair' 'Bonny Portmore' and her setting to music the words of William Butler Yeats 'Stolen Child' and Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline' story songs "And More" like some real toe tappers Loreena style Rock and Roll 'Marco Polo' 'Santaigo' 'Fire Dance'. These are all backed with music on acoustic electric Irish Greek and Middle Eastern instruments. Of course it is a must for fans of Loreena but if you are looking for something very different with beautiful lyrics music and singing that will take you to a specific state of mind or sense of well being a time long ago you will like this.

A truly remarkable concert! After a very difficult and stressful week, I got this CD/DVD package in the mail, smiled, and, with surprising calmness, walked to the living room, slid the DVD into my MacBook Pro, parked my Sennheiser HD-485 headphones on my ears, and sat back, letting the visceral experience of this incredibly talented woman wash over me, taking the stresses of the week away and reminding me how important smart, beautiful, heart-felt, literate music is to my spirit.I've long been a fan of Loreena, yet had never seen her in concert. I was blown away by her multi-instrument acumen, her almost effortless singing while reaching those crystalline, soaring notes that reach through me and make my nerves tingle up and down my spine, her rapport with the very talented band, and, most of all, that serene smile that creases her face as her body sways with the rhythm that demonstrates how much the music carries her to a profoundly peaceful, quietly joyful place.It's a bit embarrassing, me gushing on and on like this, something I so rarely indulge in. Yet this music, this musician (and the talented, delightful band supporting her), this production, the setting... They warrant this kind of effusive praise. Even with all of her CD's in my library, this addition is not superfluous nor extravagant: it is, in fact, essential to see the whole of Loreena's remarkable talent, heart, and unique sound.I'm not terribly enamored of the happy-happy/bliss-bliss affectations of much that is categorized as "new age", particularly those individuals who purport to "channel" ancient spirits, while I can't help but speculate that some artists do indeed channel the vibrations, or whatever you might call it, in a pure and profound way, and often in spite of themselves. Lowell George, Yo Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, the band Lo'Jo, and many more, among them the beloved Lorenna: music that is timeless, almost archetypal, imbued with both heart and intellect, and beautiful to listen to, over and over.Thank you, Loreena.

Excellent

This is one of the very very very best concerts I have ever watched on DVD. Although DVDs are not very popular anymore I would wholeheartedly recommend you buy this because Loreena and her band will mesmerise you.

Emozionante, converto in un ambiente a dir poco magico. Musicisti perfetti e una voce coinvolgente ed emozionante.Musica mistica e viscerale.

Holen Sie sich als Fan von L McK diese Werk. Die beiden CDs beinhalten die DVD-Inhalte. Es ist großartig.Achtung: Schlagzeug! Auf den alten, originalen Alben sind zuweisen die Stücke rhythmisch nicht exakt so ausgeführt. Ich finde die Einbeziehung eines Drum-Sets super. Mir gefällt es supergut.Die DVD ist ein Traum. Die Location ist unglaublich. Die Musik entsprechend.Eines noch: Kaufen Sie sich das Set NICHT gebraucht, sondern neu. Ich hab dafür Lehrgeld bezahlt. Die gebrauchte Version kostete das gleiche und war verkratzt bzw. nicht ordentlich gepackt.Update nach 14 Tagen: Schade, dass ich den Verkäufer medimops nicht beurteilen kann. Dieser hat sich mit der Abwicklung der Retoure wahrhaftig nicht mit Ruhm bekleckert, sodass für mich feststeht: nie mehr medimops. Wer es dennoch tut, selbst schuld.

Just relax and enjoy the musica and her amazing voice