The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Released in 2010, The Wind That Shakes the Barley represents a significant stylistic pivot for Loreena McKennitt. After decades of exploring 'eclectic Celtic' fusions that incorporated Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, this album saw her returning to the traditional Irish and Scottish material that first inspired her career. Recorded at Real World Studios, the production intentionally avoids the lush, reverb-soaked layering of albums like The Mask and Mirror, opting instead for a 'live-off-the-floor' feel. The tracklist is comprised entirely of traditional standards, including 'The Star of the County Down' and 'The Parting Glass,' performed with a core group of long-time collaborators. Critics noted the album's seasonal, wintery atmosphere and its focus on the raw purity of McKennitt's soprano. It serves as a companion piece to her earliest work, like Elemental, but benefits from the technical mastery and emotional depth she acquired over the intervening twenty-five years.