Iona Book Of Kells CD

This is the second release by the Christian progressive rock band Iona. Like their first release, and now to a greater degree, Iona's music is quite challenging to listen to. With multi-layered instrumentation, forever changing moods, and lyrics that require constant attention, this music is not easily digested. And this 72-minute album, centered on The Book of Kells, necessitates a thorough listen if one desires to understand and appreciate its concept in total. There's plenty to keep one's interest too, like Joanne Hogg's angelic voice, David Bainbridge's skillful guitar work, or the hypnotic flutes, whistles, and Irish pipes. However, inherent with such lengthy albums is the presence of filler material, so if you're in search of inspirational or passionate rock & roll, most of The Book of Kells will undoubtedly fall into the filler category. Actually, this music seems like it's intended for a mystical motion picture soundtrack. In a way, it all ready is. Given the deep thought and consideration required to understand this album fully, it does serve as a soundtrack for the mind's eye. ~ Dave Sleger

Audio Remasterer: Nigel Palmer.

Recording information: Kensington Temple Church, Notting Hill Gate, London, En (05/1992); Studio Two, Leeds (05/1992); Wildlife Studios, Ipswich, Suffolk, England (05/1992).

Photographers: George Karlstetter; Theresa Wassif.

Unknown Contributor Role: Terl Bryant.

Iona: Joanne Hogg (vocals, keyboards); David Fitzgerald (percussion); Dave Bainbridge (programming, sequencer); Terl Bryant, Nick Beggs.

Personnel: Joanna Hogg (vocals, keyboards); Dave Bainbridge (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, nylon-string guitar, keyboards, chimes, keyboard programming); Fiona Davidson (celtic harp); Frank VanEssen (violin, talking drum, cymbals, finger cymbals, tambourine, tom tom, percussion); David Fitzgerald (flute, piccolo, flageolet, saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, dizi); Troy Donockley (Uilleann pipe); Nick Beggs (5-string bass, Chapman stick, cymbals); Terl Bryant (drums, bongos, cymbals, tabla, percussion, bells, gong).

Additional personnel: The Peter Whitfield Strings (violin, viola); Troy Donockley (whistle); Fiona Davidson, Frank VanEssen, The Congregation Of Kensington Temple Church.