The Book of Secrets

Released in 1997, The Book of Secrets represents the commercial and creative zenith of Loreena McKennitt's career. Following the success of The Mask and Mirror, this album further explored the 'Celtic-plus' sound, specifically tracing the historical movement of the Celts across Europe and into Asia. The lead single, 'The Mummers' Dance,' became an unlikely crossover hit on North American radio, peaking in the Billboard Top 20 due to its infectious, rhythmic world-beat production. The album is notable for its ambitious literary adaptations, including a sprawling ten-minute musical setting of Alfred Noyes' poem 'The Highwayman.' Recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, the technical fidelity of the recording is exceptional, often cited by audiophiles for its dynamic range and spatial imaging. It remains a definitive document of the late-90s Celtic revival and world-fusion movements.