Iona (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Iona


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Origin = England, United Kingdom
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Genre = Celtic Progressive rock
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Years_active = 1990–present
Label = Open Sky Records What Records Word Records
Associated_acts = Kajagoogoo
URL = [http://www.iona.uk.com iona.uk.com]
Current_members = Joanne Hogg Dave Bainbridge Troy Donockley Frank Van Essen Phil Barker
Past_members = Dave Fitzgerald Nick Beggs Terl Bryant Fiona Davidson Peter Whitfield
Notable_instruments =

Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge. [ [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/iona.html Iona] Christianity Today]

History

By the time Iona released their first self-titled album in 1990, drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (then formerly the bassist of Kajagoogoo), Fiona Davidson on Celtic harp, Peter Whitfield on strings, Troy Donockley on Uillean pipes and percussionist Frank Van Essen had joined the band. The first album "Iona" concentrated mostly on the history of the island of Iona, from which the band got its name.

Iona returned in 1992 with The Book of Kells, a concept album with several tracks based on pages from the book of the same name. Fitzgerald left the band that year to pursue a degree in music. Beyond These Shores, the band's third album, was released in 1993 and included guest musician Robert Fripp. Terl Bryant took over on drums and percussion for this album after the departure of Frank Van Essen. The album was loosely based on the legendary voyage of St. Brendan to the Americas before Christopher Columbus, but the band did not intend for it to be viewed strictly as a "concept album."

Journey into the Morn followed in 1995, a more accessible and rock-oriented album loosely based on the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," which was performed in Gaelic at the beginning of the album and again near the end. Máire Brennan, lead singer of Celtic/New Age band Clannad, was brought in to help Joanne with the Gaelic pronunciation, and she sang backup vocals.

Two live albums followed in the late 1990s: the double-disc Heaven's Bright Sun and Woven Cord, which was performed with the All Souls Orchestra. Terl Bryant departed the band between these two albums, and Frank Van Essen returned to fill the vacant spot, playing drums as well as violin, which could be heard on the band's 2000 album, Open Sky.

After being released from their U.S. contract with ForeFront Records and their UK contract with Alliance Records, Iona formed Open Sky Records to release material independently. The first new release on this label was the 2002 box set The River Flows, which featured their then-out-of-print first three albums (all remastered and several first album tracks even re-recorded), as well as a fourth disc of unreleased tracks and rarities called "Dunes." The first three albums have since been re-released individually, with new cover art.

The group have been in semi-hiatus for the better part of the current decade. However, 2006 saw the April release of a 2-disc live DVD "", featuring a 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround mix by LA's John Kellogg, and a November release of a new studio CD entitled "The Circling Hour".

Current members

* Joanne Hogg - Lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
* Dave Bainbridge - Lead guitar
* Troy Donockley - Pipes, whistles, flutes, guitar, and other assorted instruments
* Frank Van Essen - Drums, percussion, violin
* Phil Barker - Bass

Discography

Chronological listing

*"Iona" (1990)
*"The Book Of Kells" (1992)
*"Beyond These Shores" (1993)
*"Journey Into The Morn" (1995)
*"Treasures" (1996 - best of collection)
*"Heaven's Bright Sun" (1997 - live album)
*"Woven Cord" (1999 - live album featuring the All Souls Orchestra)
*"Open Sky" (2000)
*"The River Flows: Anthology Vol. 1" (2002 - 4 CD box set)
*"Iona", DVD (2004) very early live concert
*"Live In London", Double DVD 5.1 Mix (2006)
*"The Circling Hour" (2006)

tudio Recordings

*"Iona" (1988)
*"The Book Of Kells" (1992)
*"Beyond These Shores" (1993)
*"Journey Into The Morn" (1996)
*"Open Sky" (2000)
*"The Circling Hour" (2006)

Live Recordings - Audio

*"Heaven's Bright Sun" (1997 - live album)
*"Woven Cord" (1999 - live album featuring the All Souls Orchestra)

Live Recordings - DVD

*"Iona", DVD (2004) very early live concert
*"Live In London", DVD (2006)

Box Set

*"The River Flows: Anthology" (2002 - 4 CD box set)

Other Collaborations

*Various Artists - "Songs for Luca" (2003)
*Various Artists - "Songs for Luca 2" (forthcoming)

References

External links

* [http://www.iona.uk.com Official website]
* [http://www.iona.uk.com/newindex/2004_pages/history_homepage.htm Official Band biography]
* [http://www.gospel.it/iona/biography.html Band biography]