A Mediterranean Odyssey [Box set]

Loreena McKennitt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Quinlan Road
• ASIN: B002MTTZ6M
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,663 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #14 in Music > World Music > Celtic > Fusion
  • #15 in Music > World Music > Celtic > New Age
  • #24 in Music > World Music > North America > Canada

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Mystic Dream

2. Tango To Evora

3. The Gates of Istanbul

4. Penelope's Song

5. Marco Polo

6. Marrakesh Night Market

7. Santiago

8. Caravanserai

9. The Dark Night of the Soul

10. Sacred Shabbat

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Gates of Istanbul

2. The Dark Night of the Sould

3. Marco Polo

4. Penelope's Song

5. Sacred Shabbat

6. Caravanserai

7. Santiago

8. Beneath a Phyrgian Sky

9. Tango To Evora

10. Full Circle

Editorial Reviews

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sort of "GREATEST HITS" album, October 26, 2009

By 

Quo Primum (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Mediterranean Odyssey (Audio CD)

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.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice package but dissappointed over edits, July 23, 2010

By 

Prospero "(descending)" (Wenatchee, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mediterranean Odyssey (Audio CD)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mediterranean Odyssey, December 10, 2009

By 

E. Anderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mediterranean Odyssey (Audio CD)

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.