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You are in: Cambridgeshire > Entertainment > Music > Music Features > Loreena McKennitt on Mandy Morton’s Eclectic Light Show

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennitt on Mandy Morton’s Eclectic Light Show

By Mandy Morton, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

On consecutive Wednesdays in August, Mandy’s Eclectic Light Show featured a two-part exclusive interview with iconic world music star, Loreena McKennitt. Find out more, here...

Loreena McKennitt: a musical journey, featured on Mandy’s Eclectic Light Show in August 2007

McKennitt’s music - a multi-textured blend of Celtic ballads, literary narratives and the sights and sounds of other cultures - has earned her a devoted international following, with millions of people consistently drawn to the beauty of her compositions and the power of her storytelling.

Loreena McKennitt

Equally fascinating, though, is McKennitt’s own story. She is self-managed, self-produced, and the head of her own internationally successful record label, Quinlan Road.

Her recording career began in 1985 with the album Elemental and, in the early years, she ran its operations from her kitchen table, selling recordings by mail order and producing her own concert tours across the country.

Now, two decades later, her music has won critical acclaim worldwide and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in 15 countries across four continents.

In McKennitt's own words...

Mandy’s interview, which was recorded during the artist’s sell-out visit to London’s Barbican earlier this year, includes McKennitt’s thoughts on her family roots, early inspirations and travels to track down Celtic connections; the founding of the Quinlan Road Community and balancing her careers as writer, musician and astute business woman.

Listen to clips of the interviews here:

Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer

Broadcast to coincide with the release of a new live album/DVD, Nights from the Alhambra, these two special programmes will feature music from McKennitt’s back catalogue, as well as from her latest studio release, An Ancient Muse.

Listen Again

Remember, you can listen again to the interview for up to a week after the show by clicking the Listen Again button on our homepage.

The Listen Again service IS working.

last updated: 23/08/07

Have Your Say

The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Robbi
Hello, I was hoping I could find out if there is an audio file available of the Moya Brennan interviews. I'd like to stream it through my Clannad website. Ooo, and love the Loreena interviews. I've never actually heard her speak or sing live or anything until now! Go raibh míle =) Rob.

Johnny, Czech Rep.
LM forever

Jan Etchells
I really wanted to listen to the whole interview of Loreena. I live in Shropshire and the snippets are no substitute for the real thing!

Gwendolyn Gourdon
"Polishing the mirror of you soul." That comment hit so close to my own journey throughout my life thus far. I was introduced to Loreena's music by a dear friend of mine about 6 years ago, and I've been following Ms. McKennitt's career ever since that moment. I fell in love with the music and the soul she puts into all her work immediately. It takes me back to my own roots as well, stemming from Scotland, Isle of Man, Ireland, and France. My fore-fathers came to the U.S.A. in the late 16 hundreds, and continued to migrate after that. Some coming over via Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and yes, suffering through the exile in the March of the Acadia. Most settled in Louisiana, but our roots are still strong in Canada, a place I'd love to visit someday. And when I heard Ms. McKennitt's music for the first time tears came to my eyes, thinking about the heart and souls of those that have gone on before us all. So we could live in freedom. I felt the laughter and the pain, and closed my eyes as I listened to her music...putting myself inside the stories as she told them in such an amazingly heartfelt way. She has the voice of a Goddess, and she is enchantingly beautiful inside and out. I guess I just wanted to say thank you Ms. McKennitt for opening up a part of me again, that I thought was lost forever. The interview was amazing, and I hope to hear, and see more soon. Thank you for giving me a bit of a personal view of Ms. McKinnett. Good luck in all that you do Ms. McKinnett, and Blessed Be.Again, Thank You,Gwen Gourdon

Paul Costa
I saw her in the US in North Carolina last April. More importantly.. I was invited back stage to meet her. She was enchanting. She is as beautiful a person as her music is. It was one of the top highlights of my life. I wish the whole interview was here.

Timo Kanerva
13 of september in 2006 i hade the greatest eavning in my life...I was at the Alhambra..watching an angel...with the most beatiful voice!!Thank you!!

Earle Baldwin, Athol, Massachusetts
I attended Loreena's performance @ the ornate and acoustically superior Wang in Boston. Hugh, Brian and The Lady , aided by a troupe brought the old sanctuary to a new level of intimacy. I believe from a letter written by the cellist that the troupe found it too. Celts together after all this time... what a party they share.

STEVEN GRIFFIN
I AM SO IN LOVE WITH HER, LOREENA, AND SHE HELPS ME WITH LEARNING ABOUT YM FAMILY TREE

Bill
Only regret I have is how few dates she plays in England. Once in London doesn't give us a chance to see her

Michelle
Is it an abridged version of the interview? I'm really fond of all the digital services provided by BBC and I'd love to see if the entire interview be made available via podcasting.Thank you!

Sharon Deegan
Thank you Mandy for a great interview. I was unable to listen the live broadcast so was really glad of the 'Listen again' facility. I was amazed at the depth of the interview, Loreena seemed to really open up to her. I have long been a fan of Loreena's music and it is so nice to hear her talk about it (quite rare!)Thank you, Sharon - London

Maike Stein
As I'm from Germany I couldn't hear the interview. I'm happy about these features! Thank you

Jack Grifith
This is a wonderful. I love Loreena's music. This is truly a great expierience. Exelent job BBC!

Tracie Pascoe
Excellent interview, very grateful since there's never very much about Loreena on UK radio or TV. Can't wait for the 2nd half.

Sue Robinson
I wanted to hear this as I was away at the time. I tried the Listen Again feature and it doesn;t work. I e-mailed and they sent me this page with a snippet on. I have followed Loreena for a long time and was lucky to sit in the front row in Granada last year and see her in London this year. I was so desperate to hear the show. The BBC are useless! [Edited for language]

Colin and Susan Cheesman
snippets...snippets!We don't want snippets we want the whole thing especially as we live in Wales!Come on BBC, get it sorted.

Cathy Horneyer
Writing from the United States---I was so happy to find a link to the interview with Loreena McKennitt, but was so disappointed to find that it wasn't the whole interview. For those of us with a big time difference, it would be so lovely if you would post the entire interview like PBS Radio does in the States. Is that possible? Thanks for considering it and thanks for posting the little bit that was there. I enjoyed it a lot. Have a good day!

Carrie Lockner ,palm bay florida
Loreena is such an inspiration to me. Her music is so enchanting that I feel it takes me to the depth of my soul. When I was a child in the third grade I recited the poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes, and received first prize in excellence in reading. I never forgot the poem, which remains my very favorite to this day. Hearing Loreena's arrangement left me over whelmed.I sobbed with joy after hearing her beautiful voice sing this tragic heart breaking love story. It still moves me everytime I listen to it. All of her music fills my heart with such joy. I love you Loreena ,you are such a beautiful soul! Your voice is that of an angel. You are certainly in a league all your own.!! Sincerely,Carrie Lockner,Palm Bay Florida

richard-ivycottage@hotmail.co.uk
Just finished listening to the replay of Mandy Morton's excellent interview with Loreena McKennitt. Can't wait for part 2 and thank you for showcasing this extremely talented lady's work

Hamid Peimani
I have been touched by an angel ever since I heard Ms. McKeniitt's voice. Her music, lyrics, persona and voice has been the food for my soul. I just love her from here to the moon and back!

steven griffin
I LOVE LOREENA

Mike Brain
I have all of Loreena's records.I only got this info from the quinlan rd e mail tonight, and caught the end of The Eclectic Light Show.Is there any way to get an audio copy of the 2 broadcasts as I don't have an i-pod?mike.brain@tiscali.co.uk

John Connor
Thanks, for broadcasting Loreena; her talent and message is significant and appropriate for all to hear, see and understand.

PiccoloElisabetta
Loreena McKennitt your concert in Granada was beautiful..! thank you for this interviewand for this dvd!Elisabetta Piccolo

BostonCeltic
I cannot wait to hear this interview-she is awesome in concert!!

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