Loreena Mc Kennitt Returns Back To The Roots with "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" - Early Pre-sale offers of Loreena's new album – including vinyl

Official Press : "Every once and again there is a pull to return to one's own roots or beginnings, with the perspective of time and experience, to feel the familiar things you once loved and love still," says Loreena.

In a stirring and inspirational return to her roots, Loreena McKennitt has created a new album of traditional Celtic songs, recorded this summer in a historic 1832 temple north of Toronto.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley features nine songs, including such familiar classics as "Down by the Sally Gardens," "The Star of the County Down" and "The Parting Glass." The album also features a few lesser-known favourites, including "The Death of Queen Jane" and "As I Roved Out." There are also two instrumental tracks, one of which was written by Loreena to commemorate Irish-Canadian history during the potato famine of the 1840s.

"Every once and again there is a pull to return to one's own roots or beginnings, with the perspective of time and experience, to feel the familiar things you once loved and love still," says Loreena. The album, which is offered as a CD, a download and on vinyl, will begin its release this fall and continue into 2011. You may recognize some of Loreena's long-time musical companions who are also featured on the album. There's guitarist Brian Hughes, cellist Caroline Lavelle, violinist Hugh Marsh and hurdy-gurdy player Ben Grossman, along with a cast of other accomplished musicians. The spectacular Sharon Temple is one of Canada's National Historic Sites and it proved inspirational for the artists. "There is a fascinating interplay between architecture and sound, visually and sonically," says Loreena. "The temple inspired us all." The natural setting, with its abundant trees, wildlife and birds, was also moving. "For me, there seems to be a crucial link between close access to the natural world and creative inspiration,' explains Loreena. Throughout the release of The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Quinlan Road will also be busy planning Loreena's next tour, which will be announced as soon as details are finalized. To hear the music, see the release dates and to find out more about special offers, please go to quinlanroad.com/thewind

TRACK LISTING

1 - As I Roved Out
2 - On a Bright May Morning
3 - Brian Boru’s March
4 - Down By the Sally Gardens
5 - The Star of the County Down
6 - The Wind that Shakes the Barley
7 - The Death of Queen Jane
8 - The Emigration Tunes
9 - The Parting Glass

MUSICIANS

Loreena McKennitt
Vocals: 1,2,4,5,6,7,9. Keyboards: 1,5,6,8. Harp: 2,3,4,7. Accordion: 1,7,8.

Brian Hughes:
Electric Guitar: 2,4,6,8. Celtic Bouzouki: 1,3,5,7. Acoustic Guitar: 1,8. Drone: 3.

Hugh Marsh:
Violin: 1 - 9.

Caroline Lavelle:
Cello: 1 - 8

Ben Grossman:
Bodhran: 1,5. Frame Drum: 3. Taber: 3. Triangle: 1. Bells: 3,5. Shaker: 5. Hurdy Gurdy Drone: 6.

Ian Harper:
Uilleann Pipes: 1,4,5,8. Whistle: 3,5,6,8.

Tony McManus:
Acoustic Guitar: 2,4,7,9.

Jeff Bird:
Mandola: 1,5. Mandolin: 3,6,8. Acoustic Bass: 1,8.

Pat Simmonds:
Acoustic Guitar: 1,5,6,8. Button Accordion: 3,5.

Andrew Collins:
Mandolin: 2,7. Mandocello: 7.

Brian Taheny:
Mandolin: 4.

Chris Gartner:
Bass: 4.

Andrew Downing:
Acoustic Bass: 5.

Jason Fowler:
Acoustic Guitar: 5.