The Loreena McKennitt Vs. Niema Ash Chronicle

Much controversy has shrouded the Loreena McKennitt vs. Niema Ash story of late. For those not having been tuned into this unfolding drama, here's a recount in brief.

Loreena McKennitt is an internationally-celebrated Canadian folk singer, composer, pianist and harpist much acclaimed for her "eclectic Celtic" music, rendering her worldwide recognition over a span of almost 20 years. McKennitt's thriving career is completely self-directed. Being head of her own record label Quinlan Road, her music has - thus far - sold 13 million albums with gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in fifteen countries across four continents.

Niema Ash is an award-winning travel writer and W.B. Yeats scholar. Her first book, "Touching Tibet", with a foreword by the Dalai Lama, was chosen as "Book of the week" by the Sunday Times. In Montreal, where she was born, she met some of the most talented musicians and poets of our time, including Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, John Lee Hooker, Seamus Heaney and Irving Layton, of whom she writes in her book, "Travels With My Daughter". Some of these musicians and poets became close friends - and one of the closest was Loreena McKennitt, with whom she has traveled extensively. In Montreal Niema choreographed and was the assistant director for two of Yeats' dance plays. In London, England, where she now lives, she formed the Yeats Theatre Company, and was the producer and director for two of these plays, which were also performed on BBC television. Ms. Ash is now head of her own publishing firm Purple Inc Press Ltd.

As one can deduce, both are accomplished women in their own right, journeys and individual integrities.

Close to twenty years of a deeply knitted friendship unfolded between McKennitt and Ash. As close friends they did extensive traveling and shared their experiences together. Until the day arrived when a severe wedge would shatter this friendship, leaving senseless details hanging in the air, especially for Ms. Ash who regarded the whole ordeal as totally incomprehensible.