About Djinn

“ ‘A cat’s eyes are windows… into another world’ – an old saying that comes to ultra vivid life thanks to the wondrous compositions of Louisa John-Krol (who) developed a loyal following throughout the world with her distinctive brand of timeless faerie music. Djinn – Le Mystere Des Chats is inspired by her cats Djinn and Dulcinea as well as other extraordinary creatures of the feline persuasion… tales of intrigue begin with ‘Cauldron of Morning’, and enchanted reveries bewitch the listener… ‘Blue Beyond the Sky’ is lushly romantic – one of the very best tales the artist has spun in her illustrious career. ‘I am the Djinn’ is another sweeping piece of artistry that weaves its magical spell through the mystifying eyes of one of Louisa’s cats. Another cat Dulcinea has a playful tune – a brief yet lively escapade. ‘Beautiful Lie’ is infused with mischievous flair and fascinating instrumentation. Other tracks of remarkable note include the haunting ‘Tree’, abstract perfection of ‘Lu-Lu in the Hall of Dreaming Cats’, and sweeping strains of ‘Colours of Angels’. Djinn – Le Mystere Des Chats is an ethereal work of epic proportions, an imaginative masterpiece that should be cherished by all who want to venture into a land of faeries and impish cats. Enchanting the world since 1996, Louisa John-Krol is at the height of her musical creativity. Djinn and her other musical projects are vastly rewarding… Fans of Loreena McKennitt and Kate Bush should especially take note.”

— Kenneth Morton, Highwire Daze Magazine, April 2009, USA

“An Irish legend says that Cats eyes are windows into another world, but the musical universe of L.John-Krol is always like a window into another world. This universe filled with fantasy became a trademark of her work since her debut album 1996… each time she really pleases me with a serene sound. Djinn is full of magic and wafting sensations leading us into an imaginary world filled with cats… Her voice light as a feather and music fresh like a warm breeze… ‘I Am The Djinn’ surprises for bombastic drums while ‘Lu-Lu In The Hall Of Dreaming Cats’ is one of her darkest songs, even into experimentalism. The lyrics are like little stories… filled with reverie… Djinn the mystery of cats will definitely please lovers of Louisa John-Krol!”

— Bernard Van Isacker, Chief Editor, Side-Line Magazine, ED:7)ED, Belgium

“Louisa John-Krol… plunders myth and folklore to create elaborate music… Djinn explores cat mythology and imagery… the resulting work is magical, whimsical and mysterious. Celtic folk, new age atmospherics, dash of electronica, smidge of prog rock… pure soprano reminds one of Kate Bush and Loreena McKennitt. She sings, whispers, narrates, chants…‘Cauldron of the Morning’ is about cats as familiars, followed by ‘Blue Beyond the Sky’; both mix new age & folk pop… John-Krol’s voice is lovely and complex – Enya can easily be used as a reference… ‘Temples of the Jaguar’ uses text by modernist author Ford Maddox Ford; diptych ‘Two Cats Return Pomegranate to the Underworld’ references Dunsany. ‘Fai’ is dreamy electronica that famed faerie artist Brian Froud used to accompany a video of his paintings. ‘Dulcinea’ and ‘Chant of the Chimney Djinn’ sound like lost Walter De Lar Mare poems. ‘A Retinue of Mandrakes’ floats like a host of seraphim. ‘Aphelion’ and ‘Colours of Angels’ are ‘space music’. John-Krol and her producers fashion soundscapes out of odd instruments, like charango, ocarina, bowed psaltery, and rainsticks with keyboards, guitars and John-Krol’s signature mandolin… JK mines the same mythpunk roots as authors like Patricia McKillip and Catherynne Valente… gossamer melodies & silvery vocals.”

— Craig Gidney, www.boomtron.com/2008/12/music-review, USA

“Le chat au regard semblant contempler de mystérieux mondes intérieurs qui figure sur la pochette du nouveau Louisa John-Krol donne la tonalité à cet album entièrement dédié à l’univers des félins et avant tout aux deux chats de l’artiste. Djinn et Dulcinea. Louisa met au service de Djinn sa voix inégalable et son talent de conteuse pour se faire la narratrice heavenly-folk et ethno-pop d’histoires de félins célèbres ou de légende, sauvages ou domestique, de littérature ou de la vie courante. Bien que globalement très homogène, l’album passe en douceur d’une ambiance à une autre, l’ethnique et profond ‘I am the Djinn’ côtoyant (chatoyant?) la pop joyeuse de ‘Beautiful Lie’ ou la comptine un peu sauvage et litanique ‘Chant of the Chimney Djinn’, pour s’achever sur deux titres oniriques et remplis d’ombre (‘Aphelion’ et ‘Colours of Angels’) sur lesquels les carillons shanti font des merveilles. Une fois de plus, Louisa John-Krol nous démontre qu’elle a l’art de communiquer ses passions.”

— Sabine Moreau, Elegy Magazine, France

A partial English translation & linguistic aside (by Catherine Goss) of above review:

“The cat, with a look seeming to contemplate mysterious inner worlds… sets the tone for this album entirely dedicated to the feline universe and the artist’s cats, Djinn and Dulcinea. Louisa serves Djinn with her incomparable voice and story-telling talent to become the heavenly-folk and ethno-pop narrator of stories of legendary felines, wild or domestic… Although as a whole very homogenous, the album moves gently from one atmosphere to another, the ethnic and deep ‘I am the Djinn’ rubbing shoulders – shimmering and catlike – with joyful pop of ‘Beautiful Lie’ or wild incantatory nursery rhyme ‘Chant of the Chimney Djinn’, to two titles, dreamy and filled with shadow (‘Aphelion’ and ‘Colours of Angels’), on which shanti chimes do wonders. Once more, Louisa John-Krol demonstrates the art of communicating her passions.”

‘Cotoyant’ means rubbing shoulders. The reviewer suggested ‘chatoyant’ as a pun, because ‘chat’ means cat but ‘chatoyant’ means shimmering. There are changes afoot to the circumflex, the ‘hat’ symbol. It’s sometimes left off… Let’s hope the little hat stays, with cat’s ears: ‘ô’

“A stellar new creation by beloved Louisa John-Krol! Her voice is not only fairie-like but simply beautiful, she gives me goosebumps every time I hear her sing. Her songs are so visual you can see fairies dancing and playing around the trees. Listen to the words you will feel as though you know her kitties… She and her husband have beautiful hearts that allow them to see the world differently than most. I will add this to my collection of Louisa cds that will remain close to my heart. She will always be the fairie queen in my book.”

— Kathleen Tringo, Amazon, USA

“Djinn, le mystére des chats: ‘Les yeux d’ un chat sont une fenêtre vers un autre monde’ Louisa John-Krol… nous emmener avec elle sur les traces des chats, gardiens d’ un autre monde. Sa musique a une puissance d’évocation, une capacité à faire planer sans utilisations de substances illicites, du pur Heavenly d’excellente facture (où Fairy Music pour les connaisseurs). Un disque à écouter le soir, afin de rêver. Logique, pour de la pop folk psychédélique… Celle–ci, très variée (plus d’ une quarantaine d’ instruments!)… Les textes, parfois inspiré du folklore traditionnel irlandais entre autre, nous conte un voyage dans un univers mystique, explorant la mythologie autour des chats… Pourtant, on est jamais lassé; Louisa évitant la monotonie et la lourdeur. On la suit volontiers dans ses pérégrinations, comme on pourrait suivre un conteur au coin du feu, narrant des histoires hors du temps pleine de magie et de mystère. Le timbre délicat de sa voix y est pour beaucoup. Au final, un bon disque, à conseiller à tout ceux qui aiment s’évader par la musique.”

— Shin Akuma, Gilgamesh Connections, www.progressive-area.com, France

“Louisa John-Krol is back with a new great album. Louisa John-Krol’s music mixes Celtic folk, electronic sounds, new age atmospherics and progressive pop rock. Often she reminds to Loreena McKennitt and Kate Bush but her mix of new age and folk pop evoke Danielle Dax… Put this record in your buying list!”

— Sir Logia, Chain D.L.K.id#4865, France or Italy

“Djinn is Arabic for Genie… expect Middle Eastern lyrical references… those who connect to (cats) know the alluring love of the creature as well as their elusive nature. They, however, are our confidants. Just like the Djinn of lore, good or evil, our beloved kitties frequently show both… ‘Two Cats Return Pomegranate to the Underworld’ showcases this perfectly… Louisa John-Krol has become a master of the delicate rhyme, a non-linear way of creating lyrically interesting lines… Few vocalists accomplish this pronounced and strange aura. Beautiful and wyrd. Be prepared for tracks that change on the whim of the wind… You could be flowing through ambient textured layers on cloudy days in the orchard, and the next on your way through a chasm of playful darkness. Most tracks contain a lush ambient layer, from piano melodies that sooth and remind of Tori Amos (with similar voice) to haunting guitar textures and string accompaniments… Prepare yourself lyrically; few artists take the time to write such complicated measures… Maybe that’s half the mystery!”

— Sage L. Weatherford, Heathen Harvest Webzine, England

“Louisa brings us a feline universe through the myth of cats, sphinx, tigers and other mythological creatures. As an Irish legend says, ‘A cat’s eyes are windows… into another world.. an ethereal & mysterious world.”

— Equilibrium Music (EQM), www.equilibriummusic.com, Portugal

“Louisa John-Krol a Celtic beautiful voice… one of the best sellers of Prikosnovenie… very well produced (Harry Williamson, Brett Taylor)… subtle mix of Folkloric and traditional instrument with Dead Can Dance.”

— www.cduniverse.com, USA

“Louisa’s soprano swoops through pieces that meld folk, progressive pop, electronica and new age in inventive, pleasing ways. LJK reminds one of Loreena McKennitt and Kate Bush; she composes with her wild muse wherever it leads… Producers are Harry Williamson and Brett Taylor, with guests Dandelion Wine, Theodore Wohng, Samantha Taylor and Keltia.”

— Projekt Records, www.projekt.com, USA

“Welcome Djinn, Italian kitten would be so glad to meet you!”

— Elisabeth Mantovani, LaRoseNoir, Djinn’s Myspace (pantherlina), Italy

“thanks for… your wonderful music little fairy. Helene, me and my cats are very happy”

— Marc Feyaerts, Facebook, 14 August 2011, France

“Hi little Djinn! I must admit you’re a real genius, so I wish you the best.”

— Artesia, Djinn’s Myspace (pantherlina), France

“hey Djinn! Caught any genies lately??? ;-) Love N&N xxoo”

— Dandelion Wine, Djinn’s Myspace (pantherlina), Australia

“Your music is magic. I’m waiting for a new album!”

— Cecile Audrey Rovira, Facebook, 24 May 2011, France

“Thanks for your magical music. I’m listen you since my 15 years old. I love u :) You’re my inspiration!”

— Rag Doll, Myspace, 1 July 2009

“kitty mer~fae to you, kitty mer~fae to you, kitty mer~fae sweeeeeet Louisa!!!!*** ♥”

— Molly Niffen, Facebook, 28 May 2011, USA

“Hi Louisa! Your concert was wonderful. I was very close from you and it was great. I tried to talk to you after the concert but there was a lot of people. Next time I hope! Thank you for this precious moment!” (after Trolls et Legendes show, Belgium)

— Agathe / Artesia, Myspace, 1 July 2009, France

“Have a nice time with Mark & Djinn under the Australian sun!”

— Carsten Agthe, Myspace, 9 March 2008, Germany

“You could say ‘Cauldron of Morning’ is a kind of anthem for pagans”

— Bronny Lloyd, musician, Midsummer Fairy Ball 2011, Australia

“Dancing to ‘Cauldron of Morning’ (Djinn) was the best part of the whole night for me.”

— Rachael Hammond, illustrator, 4 October 2010, Australia

“Wow! Are you really coming to Faerieworlds?… my jaw dropped when I saw your name…! I cannot wait to see you perform, hopes and dreams come true!”

— Iridesce, Myspace, 1 July 2009, USA

(NB: We did meet after that show. Thank you for the magic shell, Sarah (Iridesce) x – L.)

“Dear Louisa, I LOVED your show in Belgium ! Hope to see you in Australia now !!!”

— Jeanne, Rajna, Myspace, 1 July 2009, France

“thank you for the wonderful Feline Faery Fest.”

— Katra Brightwing (Kate, Evelyn, Liz), email, 12 December 2010, Australia

“I love the last album Djinn!”

— Jonathan Renard, Facebook, 22 May 2009, France

“Good luck with your new CD (Djinn) – wonderful as always!”

— Daemonia Nymphe, Myspace, 7 July 2009, Greece & UK

“Billi and I have been listening to Djinn a great deal… another masterpiece from you and your talented collaborators. Big congrats to you, Mark, Brett, Harry and everyone else involved. Oh we better not forget a nod to the inspiration of your latest musical joyfulness, Djinn and Dulcinea.”

— Billi and Bill Mazur, Facebook, 12 November 2008, USA

“praise for all your work. You have my admiration. Great Woman. best regards from Rome. Love Always…”

— Athene Noctua, Minerva, Myspace, 1 July 2009, Italy

“SO looking forward to seeing you at Faerieworlds! Your music is beautiful! Yours in Faerie and Magic”

— Susan Tooker, Myspace, 1 July 2009, USA

“Djinn is pure magic. I can’t listen to ‘Blue Beyond the Sky’ without remembering the ones who are no longer with me and I cry every time I hear it or even think about it…”

— Linda Megow of Colorado, email, 2 November 2009, USA

“thank you so much for inviting us to be part of your wonderful Feline Fantasy. Mieow!”

— Maribel & Harry by giftcard, 10 December 2010, Australia

“Beautiful Lady… Beautiful Voice… You carry me away to faraway places… Thank you for being who you are… The Faerie Queen of us all! This looks like Djinn! :-)” (photo of bejewelled cat)

— Forest of the Fae, Myspace, 27 September 2007, USA

“Such a delight to hear your beautiful sounds, they make us travel to wonderlands!”

— Minute Papillon, Myspace, 1 July 2009, France

“i nearly fell off my chair when i saw one of your tracks is ‘Temple of the Jaguar’ (Djinn). So excited…! Much love and magic”

— Kitsiri DeSilva, email, 27 July 2010, Australia

“Hello sweet fey friend, so inspired by your magical music! Thank you!”

— Mar Cella, Facebook, 6 January 2011, USA

“When I’m sad, I listen your heavenly voice… This give me a drop of hope…”

— Lelia, Myspace, 1 July 2009

“Your music always gives happiness to me when I feel blue.”

— Deichtire

“I am inspired by your beautiful words and music – mercats are also dear to my heart, as are all cats. Bright mercat blessings.”

— Aphrodite Rose, email, 23 April 2011

“Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice and ethereal music. Your work is soulful, rich, entrancing. It has been a balm for me. …The beauty of your music has the power to soothe. That is a remarkable, rare gift.”

— Ronlyn Doningue, author, email, 26 August 2009, USA

“Djinn…extremely wonderful… we met in Adelaide at Leaf Fellows’ Eve”

— Louise Hewett, giftcard, 12 August 2010, Australia

“Thank you again for creating and sharing your wonderful art and music Louisa.”

— Ray Simpkins, bard, postcard, circa 2010, USA

Remarks by Louisa’s cats:

Dulcinea: “My part could have been larger.”

Djinn: “You’re lucky to have even a cameo role, Dulcie, since you joined us late in the album.”

Dulcinea: “That front cover pic looks more like me than you, Genie darling.”

Djinn: “Well, the cat on the back is clearly me.”

Dulcinea: “Asleep, as usual. Anyway, I’m named after a princess in a Spanish novel.”

Djinn: “A princess only in Don Quixote’s imagination.”

Dulcinea: “Isn’t that the point?”