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This weeks’ song is The Highwayman by Loreena McKennitt from the album The Book of Secrets. If you really like this song, another very popular song from that album is The Mummers’ Dance, in case you go looking around on iTunes.
This song fits in my raiding playlist as one of my background songs while taking care of the pulls between bosses.
There is a LOT of Loreena McKennitts’ music that I love for playing in general. If I were to recommend only three songs for you to enjoy, however, I would have to go with The Mummers’ Dance and The Highwayman from The Book of Secrets, and The Lady of Shalott from the album The Visit.
If you like this music, and know of any other music you really enjoy that is of this same kind of elemental celtic-influenced romantic type of thing, please mention it in the comments. I know I’d love to find more artists as wonderful as this.
As an aside, I was talking to some guildies, and a few of them seemed surprised that I listened to music while raiding, what with all of the directions and conversations that go on over Teamspeak. Especially since they don’t hear music in the background when I talk. What I do, of course, is use a headset with a sound canceling microphone, and I have the sound on my music player turned a bit down so it doesn’t interfere with hearing commands.
Just as an FYI, I use a Plantronics .Audio 90 Headset for my raiding and chatting. It isn’t USB, although most of their newer headsets come with a USB adapter so you can use regular analog OR USB connections. If they had that option when I was shopping around, I would have gone with that. I have found the .Audio 90 to be perfectly comfortable and cushiony soft, while at the same time so incredibly lightweight that I can wear it, literally, for hours and hours without any discomfort. It is way outside my normal price range for personal electronics… I’m one of those guys that sneers at the cost of an iPod, when I can buy a knockoff ram-based mp3 player that’ll hold hours of songs for $50. But every other headset I’ve ever worn, whether for music or for chatting, would hurt the top of my skull or be too heavy to wear long, and would give me a massive headache. This thing… even for $50 at the time, it is the awesome. If Plantronics were ever to seek endorsements, I’d fricken sell out and do one, because I swear by the product, instead of AT it. Oh yeah… and no, I didn’t get paid for that plug. I just love my headset that much. I’m pretty sure no one at Plantronics has any idea I exist.
Although, if any of Plantronics’ PR guys read this and want to send me one of their awesome wireless headsets to write up a review for them, send me an email. :)
Thank God! Another Loreena McKennitt fan! I thought I was the only one :D
I also like listening to the Bonney Swans while grinding a profession.
Try Celic Woman or Altan for some other great celtic music. There’s also another lesser known artist named Heather Dale who’s music is inspired by the Arthurian legends, but it still sounds similar.
And of course, if you want some traditional celtic folk music (not really the romantic “ooohhhh ahhhhhhh *heavenly music*” stuff, more of “pour your brother one more round” kind of stuff), try Heather Alexander.
Wow, you mentioned my favorite three Loreena McKennitt songs, as well. Back when I listened to music while raiding (using Ventrilo makes music too much of a distraction during raids for me now), she was my top choice, followed by Radiohead. I loved “The Lady of Shallott” so much that I purchased a print of the story by Waterhouse. Okay, I was in college so it wasn’t actually a print, more like just a poster stuck to the wall of my dorm with sticky tack.
My daughter loves this poem. I’ll have to play the song for her now.
I would definitely second Heather Dale – my wife and I named our characters after one of her songs. I’ve bought my wife all Heather Dale’s albums. http://heatherdale.com/
I adore Loreena McKennitt! Book of Secrets is a great CD. For music offering a similar mood, you might try Secret Garden. It’s mostly instrumental stuff, though they do have some tracks with lovely vocals. Try…
Nocturne
Songs from a Secret Garden
Adagio
Hopelessly romantic. :)
For something a little less traditional (and quicker paced, in some cases), I really enjoy Afro Celt Sound System. Check out:
Release (Wow, I’d no idea the video was so freaky)
The Other Side
Mojave (starts slow, but then they really rock out with those uillean pipes by the end!)
Riding the Waves (Drums!)
When You’re Falling (The first one I heard by them, that caused me to chase after all the rest.)
They have five CDs now, and I love them all. Given them a listen!
I’m off to look up Heather Dale and Heather Alexander now, too. Thanks!
“Planatronics: Swear by our Products instead of at them.” – BBB
:P
Every raid song I read about I think…hmm I should listen me to some music while leveling up.
One of these days I think I shall.
I’m still grinding with all sound muted. Although, if I DID grind with music it would be: Jem, Greenday, Jem, Evanescent, Jars of Clay Redemption songs(had to specify since I hate the rest of their CD’s), Third Day, Jem. On repeat.
If you take a gander waaaaay back to Raid Song of the Week #1, you will find that it is March of Cambreadth by none other than… Heather Alexander.
It’s always nice to know that you guys love it too!
PS Thank you for the other pointers… I listened to Altan but lost touch with my CDs, so I need to go figure out what happened there. The rest I’ll be going and checking out. No, seriously!
I likes me some Loreena McKennitt, but I ain’t heard this one befores. Looks like I’s heading back to iTunes. Nice call, BBBBBBBBBBBBB.
The husband and I already love Loreena, Heather Alexander, and Silly wizard who have all come up in previous Raid Songs OTW. We’ll have to check out some of these other mentions.
As a fellow Scots/Irishman, my husband suggests you try Albannach. they recently released their second cd and they have songs to match a variety of moods. Including those where you want to, in my husband’s words, “go butcher some great bastard”.
http://albannachonline.com/
Enjoy!
“Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky!”
/shiver
/cry
Dammy just had me listen to Loreena McKennitt and I must now buy her music. Another band that’s probably not well known is Iona. They’re a Christian band but they’re primarily instrumental and their lyrics are staunchly Irish-Celtic-Christianity. Check out Book of Kells, one of their better albums. Also there’s a band called Leahy, an (Irish) family band that’s really fun to listen to.
I love Loreena McKennitt. You should check out Dead Can Dance. Lisa Gerrard has an amazing voice.
Love Loreena McKennit!! Clannad are great, if a bit more staid and traditional.