A few months ago I was watching a PBS concert that featured a cellist named Ofra Harnoy. Not only was she gorgeous, she was fantastic. When I looked her up on the internet, I discovered she was Canadian, having moved from Israel. Canadian, I thought. Since Canadian musical circles can't really be all that large and Loreena uses a cellist, I wondered if they knew each other. Then, a few weeks later I hit on a you-tube that had snipits of a LM concert back in the early 90's, and sure enough, there was Ofra Harnoy sitting there sawing away, and, indeed she's on Mask & Mirror. So, I thought it would be interesting to learn the genesis of the band. When did Loreena and Brian, Hugh and Caroline come together. I know she goes back a long way with Rick Lazar. Is it purely because of musical styles? Did she go through an auditioning process? Why did she add Tal this time. Admittedly I bring this up entirely for my own curiosity so if this topic thread goes nowhere, that's OK, but it would be interesting to know a little history (I hope there isn't a "History of the Band" link on this web page somewhere that I missed....).
On a personal note, Loreena if you're reading this, regarding Canadian musical circles, I was wondering if you know Ian Tyson. I ask this because one of my friends, Mike Beck, http://www.mikebeck.com/main.htm is good friends with Ian, and Ian comes down here to Monterey periodically to get together with Mike and do cowboy music. I haven't met Ian yet but that time is approaching.

That's interesting stuff...thanks. When you look a the liners of the records, you see a lot of musicians involved, and indeed there were musicians on Alhambra that weren't on Muse tour. Brian goes with her on all the personal appearances and adds that great haunting sound that really marks the music. Maybe one day we can get Loreena to relate the story of how/when they came together...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dlaws99,

Hi Dlaws99,
I’m so sorry it has taken me so long to post about this topic. Unfortunately, I can’t find out those articles anymore, where I have read details about Caroline Lavelle and her acquaintance with Loreena and band.
I can, however, provide scraps of news I’m writing below, underscoring that I will go on looking for!

The musicians and Loreena come from a broad spectrum of musical styles and influences, woven – I would say wonderfully – into the framework of her music. For example, Loreena comes from a classical and folk background. Brian Hughes comes from a rock and jazz background, Rick Lazar and Donald Quan come from a Latin and world music background, Hugh Marsh comes from a very experimental and imaginative musical background. (excerpt of an article, as I wouldn’t be so cut for ‘musical distinctions’)
When did musicians come together? In 1988, when Loreena was preparing the tracks for Parallel Dreams, she was already working along with Brian Hughes, and with another musician (a cellist), called George Koller. George was involved in the recording of some songs both on Parallel Dreams and on The Visit. On 1989 Canada tour her band was comprised of three musicians, I guess Brian Hughes and George Koller, but the third one? In 1990 one of the musicians she performed with, in Canada, at least in Toronto, was David Woodhead.
In 1992 Loreena appeared in duet with the cellist Ofra Harnoy on the Juno awards, while singing The Lady Of Shalott, you might see on you tube, I think.
Two years later, on the North American tour fall 1994, her five first-rate musicians who performed onstage with her were Brian Hughes, Hugh Marsh, Donald Quan, Rick Lazar, Steve Lucas - or Lukas - on acoustic base.
The last one to join the band was Caroline Lavelle, who accepted to work together with Loreena the first time, while the recording of ‘The Book Of Secrets’, in the Summer 1997. Loreena needed a cellist and someone at the Real W. Studios advised her to call Mrs Lavelle. The experience was fantastic. Together again in 1998 on the tour (Europe and North America) which followed the 1997 album’s release, on single performances, (December-7-2004 show in Brussels and Edmonton Folk Music Festival of 2005) and on last year’s tours. I hope not to have made any mistakes; I have re-written info which are widespread in many articles and interviews, trying to summarize the best I could.

The best…

freesoul

That's an interesting topic!! I'm searching for some info I read a few months ago...about Caroline and other musicians...hopefully I will be able to add a few details about them..

freesoul