Loreena's album covers (or at least, some of them) give a precise idea of what the album is about, of what the songs contain, of the complex background she took inspiration from. Which is your favourite? Which is the one that communicates the album-feeling better than the others?
My vote goes to "Elemental". I love black-and-white photos, and I always associate Loreena's facial expression on this cover to the song "She Moved Through The Fair". The harp, the tree and the hut are a perfect background. Is Loreena running away from something? Or is she running towards you? Is that fear you can see in her eyes? Or is it relief? I love that cover...
Posts: 231 | Location: Italy | Registered: October 31, 2006
I really love all of them! But of her earliest album covers I love Elemental, because it looks as if Loreena is a fey gliding through the field with her harp in the distance so magickal! Then of a more recent album (still early though) I love the Mask and Mirror. Loreena stanfing amidst the tapestry that blends with her dress, while she has a very unemotive face that perhaps suggests a mask... about to be removed... Now for her newest album! I love An Ancient Muse because I can just imagine that Loreena is within the tent with some mysterious person discussing the region and what went on throughout the day. Perhaps playing her harp for the namadic family that she stumbled upon (wouldn't that be a treat!) Or perhaps Loreena is out on some great journey for the day along the silk road and her tent is warmly awaiting her return, which will be followed by her writing in her journal the stories and people she encountered the religions and clothing the aromas, the fauna... perhaps a few lines of a song that is forming in her mind...
I have a bit of an odd view I feel...
Posts: 125 | Location: Arkansas U.S. | Registered: September 07, 2007
I found all my albums from the shelf... And I came to the conclusion that it must be The Visit. And the reason... Well I guess I like pictures and inside this cover there is a lot of pictures. Therefore I also had a hard time choosing between this and the Mask and Mirror.
But they are all good!
I came to see that An Ancient Muse is the only album with over 5 songs that hasn't got a picture of ms. McKennitt on the frontside!
Anxious 2
Posts: 401 | Location: Denmark | Registered: January 25, 2008
I've haven't heard 'An Ancient Muse' yet, so I can't say weather it sums up the songs or not, but I love the mountains, trees and pavillion on it's cover. the patterns on the latter look awesome, and I love the way that the curtains are open, almost begging you to go inside...I have heard some of the extracts from the tracks which you can listen to on this website (www.quinlanroad.com/explorethemusic/anancientmuse.asp), and they certainly suit the cover
Personally I can't wait to step inside that pavillion and enjoy the wonderful music inside.
okay, now I'm getting all poetic, deep and forsoothful arrrgh!
Luv Jesse
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jesse,
Posts: 263 | Location: Latrobe, Australia | Registered: July 15, 2008
Standing of that pretty girl and her background image create a mystic, exotic, esoteric atmosphere and exactly fit the bill her music.
2) An Ancient Muse.
I like very much this cover. But computer graphic applications have been highly improved in our time and almost everything can be accomplished with some programs. For example; Loreena's face could have been put behind the mountains; between horizon and sky. It could have been superimposed transparently on the blue sky (but not prominently). For example upper part of that pic we see on homepage of this site could have been used for this purpose. And if this had been done, Cover of "An Ancient Muse" would have been "An Art Masterpiece." But nevertheless it is a very good work and i appreciated imagination of cover graphic designer.
So i am cutting short and saying:
% 51 An Ancient Muse. % 49 The Mask and Mirror.
LM 4EVER EVER AND EVER...
Posts: 143 | Location: Istanbul | Registered: November 26, 2006
The Visit since the No Jouneys End DVD was not availible but I love them all. The backround is what most attracts me to them, and Loreena looks lovely in all of them.
Cheers, Dan
Posts: 9 | Location: Deposit NY USA | Registered: November 29, 2006
I get lost looking at her covers and photos and try to figure what is going through her mind because it is as if she reads my mind. She sing exactly what I need to hear, her music hit deep in my soul and the photos fill me with wonder. The list starts with The Mask and Mirror, but as with her songs, it is only for the time when I need to draw from the pictures and words from that album. Tomorrow my favorite could easily turn to "An Ancient Muse".
Posts: 414 | Location: Gold Bar, Washington USA | Registered: November 11, 2006
Originally posted by Maurizio: I'm trying to find out what picture is the first I mentioned because I would like to see the whole image; can anybody help me?
Dear friend The cover of "To Drive The Cold Winter Away" cd, is actually a detail of Richard Dadd's painting called Bacchanalian Scene created in 1862 . In this link u can see the whole painting :
I'm glad! I suppose us "odd view" people are common here (I think unique view sounds better 
)
