Iona is an ancient Gaelic word meaning Isle of Saints. Geographically, Iona is a small island, only 3 miles long, located off the western coast of Scotland, a short ferry ride from the Island of Mull.
Musically, Iona is a British-based band whose lyrics focus on the roots of Christianity in the British Isles, and whose musical style, even if the band do not like being labelled, is a blend of Celtic pop,(progressive) rock and new age, often compared to that of Clannad, Enya, Kate Bush, Karnataka, and Peter Gabriel.
NEWS:
ALBUM NEWS
January saw the beginning proper of recording for the album, with Dave working on track arrangements for 2 of Jo’s songs and new ideas at his Open Sky Studio.
In February Jo, Martin and Dave settled into Jo’s ‘snooker room’ for 4 days to record some piano, guide vocals and some pipes and whistles. Some previously half finished, but promising song ideas really started to take shape as well as some new instrumental ideas - among them a slow air, a set of reels and a pipe/whistle tune that could become the basis of a longer composition.
Later in the month, Dave took the song files over to Frank’s studio on his laptop to do further work on 2 other tracks: ‘Another Realm’ is a compact, up tempo song in a similar mould to ‘Treasure’ (on which Frank has added a great drum track and some rockin’ violin, and Dave some tasty guitars).
‘White Horse’, at over 10 minutes long on the other hand, is the band’s latest epic track. Originally a shorter song, it is developing into a cornerstone piece of the album, encapsulating as it does the twin themes of bringing Heaven to Earth and the unseen battle that rages in the heavenly realm. Musically, after a number of revisions the band have arrived at a great arrangement that Jo, (who is enormously excited about the track) has described as ‘more Iona than Iona’! There is still much to do on the track but it already features some very evocative keyboards, an incredible drum track on which Frank has really excelled himself, and a soaring melody that evokes the same feeling of freedom as that on ‘Flight of the Wild Goose’
The next studio session in just over a week will see the whole band getting together for 5 days and playing ‘live in the studio’ versions of the new songs ‘The Ancient Wells’ and ‘Let Your Glory Fall’ as well as rhythm tracks / some vocals and whatever other things there is time to record on the other tracks, along with ace engineer Johan van Loo. The band also aim to do some jamming - all of which will be committed to ‘disk’! Recording will continue in April.
After being a member for 14 years, Troy has left the band. Here is a statement from Troy;
"I have had a wonderful time with my friends in Iona and am very, very proud of the albums we made together. But, as in all of life, things change. After extended periods of no activity we have found ourselves with a very different musical and philosophical direction. We have parted as great friends should, with a sad-happiness and I truly wish , without cliche, all the very best for the future".
Whilst we are sad at the parting of ways, we (the other band members Jo, Dave, Frank and Phil) are excited at what the future holds for the band. After a long period of inactivity we all feel that God is leading us into new paths together and with a new, renewed vision and focus. We are happy to have guesting with us on forthcoming gigs Martin Nolan (uilleann pipes & whistles) from Dublin. We also wish Troy well in his various musical endeavours. He is a totally unique musician and composer and his music deserves a wider audience.
We are also working on tracks for a brand new IONA studio album, for which we have a clear 'concept', and which we hope will come out sometime in 2010, though we currently need to find some funding from somewhere for this!!
JOURNEY INTO THE MORN - IONA
We can finally announce that 'Journey into the Morn' - IONA's best selling album to date has now been re-released on our own Open Sky label, complete with great new artwork from Tim Martindale. Originally released towards the end of 1995, 'Morn' was one of Q Magazine's top 50 albums of 1996 and one of their top 5 Folk Albums. Featuring many of Iona's best loved songs (see the Iona website for more details) we are thrilled to have this landmark album back in stock after being unavailable for a number of years.
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Avaiable at: www.iona.uk.com.
David Fitzgerald (sax, exotic wind instruments) is the founding member of Iona. In 1988, during a time of extreme physical and spiritual burnout, he traveled to Lindisfarne, a small island off the northeastern coast of England, related to Iona in its role in spreading the Gospel to England. Fitzgerald shared his vision with his friend and musician Dave Bainbridge (keyboards, guitars). Joanne Hogg was invited to join the band. Joanne was the lead vocalist on Child of Darkness on Adrian Snell's Alpha and Omega rock opera. And so the band was been born.
Their debut album is from '88.
In 1992, the threesome became a five some with the permanent addition of Nick Beggs (chapman stick, bass guitar) and Terl Bryant (drums, percussion).
Iona's second album, The Book of Kells, is a concept album, focusing on one theme only: The Book of Kells, an 8th century manuscript filled with lush pictures illustrating the Gospels, possibly originating from the monastery at Iona. Listening to the music while looking at the pictures from the book helps create a moving experience. Frank van Essen does a small guest appearance.
Iona's third album, Beyond These Shores, was released in 1994. New to the band is Mike Haughton (sax, flutes, recorder, backing vocals), who toured among the others with Cliff Richards, replacing Fitzgerald who left in September 1992.
Released in 1996 is Journey Into The Morn, fourth Iona's album. Again an album close to Clannad and Enya, gently Celtic songs, quite nice. Is progressive or symfo? Yes i should suppose, but more important; music with a big M. Etheral, melodic, it catch you, nice guitar work and those Uilleann Pipes bring that extra dimension. Not to forget violins and whistles... Heaven Bright Sun is one of the highlights.
Joanne Hogg - sings & plays acoustic guitar,
Dave Bainbridge - guitars, mandolin, mandalo, b-vocals & keyboards,
Terl Bryant - drums & percussion,
Mike Haughton - tin whistle, soprano sax,
Tim Harries - bass, vocals,
Troy Donockley - whistles, uileann pipes, vocals. Troy worked with Mostly Autumn,
Maire Brennan - vocals & Celtic harp (Yes she's from Clannad),
Robert Fripp - guitar synth and Fripperonics,
Peter Wingfield - violins,
Chris Eaton, Charles Oxtoby & Nigel Palmer - additional backing vocals.
Heaven's Bright Sun, the live double album, was recorded during concerts in England in December '96 and released in '97. Current members:
Phil Barker (bass), In the meantime bandmembers are busy with raising kids, some solo albums and just some regular jobs.
Live In London (DVD '06).
An outstanding live recording of a great gig!
DVD Two: Acoustic Set: Chi-Rho / Greenfields Of Canada / Edge Of The world / Jigs / Today / Interviews with all five band members
And a new album, The Circling Hour, is out now!
The track list is as follows:
2. Thew Children of Time
Dave Brainbridge - electric & acoustic guitars, e-bow, bouzouki, keyboards, hammond organ, wind chimes & choir voices
Troy Donockley - ulliann pipes, low & tin whistle, acoustic & electric guitars, e-bow guitar, bouzouki, tofran, piano & choir voices
Frank van Essen - drums, shaker, finger cymbals, darabukkas, tamborine, djembe, pads, tom toms, viola & violin
Phil Barker - bass
Dave High - strung acoustic & electric guitars & keyboards
Heather Findlay end vocals (on 11)(Heather is from Mostly Autumn).
LIVE:
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IONA Live Hedon Zwolle 23 Oct 09. This is not a band that tours a lot and with the departure of Troy Donockley i was eager to see the band again. Heard some good things about the new guy, but wanted to see it my self. The band was in a good mood, certainly Joanna who talked about her hobbies and warm feelings for the Dutch people... at least she felt connected. Dave had some problems to understand the Dutch humor ;-) Joanna's voice is the soul of Iona, very beautiful, clear and thrilling. Today their setlist went back to the very start, now 20 years ago. They played two 2 new songs who are ment for a new album! A lot of quite songs with Frank on violin that maybe worked better in a seated theatre, for me it slow downed their rocky tunes too much. On the other hand it was great to hear some rarities. All the guys and girlie are great musicians, today i was impressed by Phils bass lines, normally the Uilliann Pipes and Dave's splendid guitar work are the tunes that grab my attention. Martin did a great job, he missed some things, but it must be very difficult to learn all the complex stuff of the Iona's songs. He will survive with some more time. Joanna's voice is till spooking in my head, so sereen... loved it! Nick.
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