Elemental

by Loreena McKennitt

Elemental cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1985
  • Label: Quinlan Road
  • Country: Canada
  • Length: 36:16
  • Community rating: 3.53/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Self-released on cassette and distributed directly from the artist's car, this stunningly intimate debut introduced the world to the Canadian singer-songwriter's highly ethereal vision. 'Elemental' is defined by McKennitt's soaring soprano vocals and her virtuosic Celtic harp playing, focusing largely on delicate renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish ballads. The incredibly sparse, acoustic arrangements laid the vital groundwork for her immensely successful, world-music infused career.

Genres

Descriptors: Folk, medieval, nature, acoustic, folk, harp, female-vocals, traditional, atmospheric

Tracklist

  1. Blacksmith (3:19)
  2. She Moved Through the Fair (4:02)
  3. Stolen Child (5:04)
  4. The Lark in the Clear Air (2:05)
  5. Carrighfergus (3:29)
  6. Kellswater (5:13)
  7. Banks of Claudy (5:34)
  8. Come by the Hills (3:02)
  9. Lullaby (4:25)

Credits

  • Loreena McKennitt - primary artist, harp [troubador harp], accordion, guitar, synthesizer, arranged by, adapted by, music by, accordion guitar harp synthesizer
  • George Greer - acoustic bass
  • Pat Mullin - cello, arranged by, adapted by
  • John Hazen - effects [sound effects], misc
  • Cedric Smith - guitar, vocals, arranged by, adapted by
  • Douglas Campbell - voice actor [recitation]
  • Traditional - written-by
  • William Butler Yeats - lyrics by

More from Loreena McKennitt: full discography