Loreena McKennitt
Elemental

THE REVIEW

Loreena at the start was already a mature artist. Anyone approaching this debut album thinking they are dealing with a work (reasonably) flawed by inexperience is mistaken, and how mistaken they are! "Elemental," dated 1985, is the result of a week spent in southern Ontario, on a farm surrounded by sunflower fields, with a barn converted into a recording studio. And "Elemental" is indeed a product of the environment in which it was created: it is bare but alive, essential but intimate, homogeneous yet light and dreamy.

Since homogeneity is the main characteristic of the album, given the presence of few and simple instruments such as harp, accordion, guitar, and cello, discussing all the tracks in detail would be pointless and heavy. This little gem should be considered globally in its sparse and direct traditional character without too many frills. We can still mention the lively and cheerful "Blacksmith," a pure display of graceful and lively folk, and "Stolen Child," which presents a greater coordination in orchestrating the few available instruments and a pronounced sense for pathos (although here it can be measured drop by drop) which remains hidden under the veil of simplicity and immediacy.

"She Moved Through the Fair" is a classic, but so bare and singular that it stands out solemnly among all the other tracks on the CD: solely and exclusively Loreena standing amidst the birds' songs with her blemish-free voice; this track is a small and invaluable picture of idyllic grace. The absence of instruments helps give a serene and crystalline air to this lost corner of paradise that I will never tire of visiting.

Other noteworthy episodes are "Carrighfergus," where we see (hear) Cedric Smith in the role of singer, and the lullaby "Lullaby," where the sweet and creamy atmosphere is occasionally interrupted by the thunder of an impending storm, creating a significant contrast of emotions. "Kellswater," on the other hand, absorbs the listener in a fresh shower of cheerful and springlike notes that almost verge on the immediacy of pop; what simplicity of instrumentation does in this album!

You can say what you want, but I, despite my musical ignorance, have heard few debuts as mature and promising in their simplicity.
Loreena at the start was already a mature artist. All she needed was a train and an Alhambra to visit...