Loreena McKennitt - A Winter Garden: Five Songs For The Season (1995) [EP] {2004, Reissue} CD-Rip

This Christmas EP (or, more accurately, "Winter Holiday" EP) features lushly produced folk renditions of seasonal traditionals and McKennitt originals. Like all of McKennitt's material, these songs gorgeously blend folk traditions from around the world (with an emphasis on the Irish and Scottish), seasoned with a sizable dose of literate universalist mysticism, and undistractingly garnished with a shimmering, glossy modern pop polish.

"This recording is the result of a collaborative few days, in July 1995, between some of the musicians I regularly work with and some special guests. The primary purpose was to explore the potential in our musical chemistry. I used the vehicles of some familiar and lesser-known Christmas and winter carols, as well as a traditional English lyric that I set to music in 1982 ("Seeds Of Love"). Conducted in the very rural and comfortable environs of Real World Studios in Wiltshire, England, it became one of my most enjoyable recording experiences. The company and musicianship were superb and stimulating and a special thanks goes to all involved." ~ Loreena McKennitt