Iona

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Named for an island off Scotland’s western coast, the group Iona was formed in the late ‘80s by vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge.

They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona’s works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes.

For Iona’s 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and several studio musicians — Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The self-titled album received very little press, even in their home country, though a Dutch network compiled a documentary based on Iona, the band and the island.

Two years later, Iona returned with “Book of Kells”, and the album was praised by North American critics as well as those of the British Isles. David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music and, as a result, Iona lost much of its jazz influences by the following year’s Beyond These Shores. The group made up for Fitzgerald’s absence, however, by inviting Robert Fripp to guest on the album. Boh albums also featured former Kajagoogoo bassist/sticksit Nick Beggs.

Tagged as:

celtic, progressive rock, christian, post-rock, folk rock
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Journey into the Morn
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Beyond These Shores
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Jonzo67 wrote:
November 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iona_(band) - Have a wee look at what band come up :P

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thomasgwarrior wrote:
November 2009

Iona was awesome back when Steve Burtt Sr. ran the point. Garry Springer was a great player as well.

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Jonzo67 wrote:
November 2009

The "Celtic Prog" Iona produced some amazing music and were clearly the biggest Iona considering they featured in Q and Mojo magazine, are on the Prog Archives and sold out some pretty big shows at their height.

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Deathriderdoom wrote:
November 2009

gosh, another page that's been taken over from the original (and chronologically first) metal band. Iona was a NWOBHM band formed in 1980.

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Margo53 wrote:
November 2009

I will give my love an apple - epic!

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Andereklaas wrote:
November 2009

The album A Noise isn't from Iona, the celtic rock/pop band, which made A Book of Kells and Journey into the Morn.

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Jonzo67 wrote:
October 2009

They're still playing gigs? Who's playing the pipes instead of Troy?

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Eruionnyr wrote:
October 2009

Saw them yesterday in Holland, they still have an awesome sound, and Joannes voice is still wonderful. 20 years and still high skilled music. I love it ^^

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Desertpinguin wrote:
September 2009

Awesome

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Jonzo67 wrote:
August 2009

(was referring to the Celtic Iona btw). Journey to the Morn is a brilliant album.

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Jonzo67 wrote:
July 2009

Puts most Prog bands to shame acually. Brilliant sense of atmosphere given from their music.

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MacDoff wrote:
May 2009

Great band, not easy to tag, but very fine people and musicians! Awesome music.

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eureka1 wrote:
March 2009

IONA from the UK will be celebrating their 20th anniversary on tour in Germany!

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HBombAus wrote:
December 2008

Love the keyboard sounds...

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soranoonna wrote:
December 2008

"Wisdom" has been a source of centering for me, when things are rough or I'm worn out. I wish it was included....

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Dayannasol wrote:
November 2008

Melhor coisa q meus ouvidos já ouviram....

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DarkBoudin wrote:
October 2008

There are some really really good stuff but they should make their albums a little bit shorter imo.

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Margo53 wrote:
October 2008

Nocturne, Chi Rno, Revelation and River Flowes are my favoirite cimpositions of IONA

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HeadShop wrote:
August 2008

This is NWOBHM

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kareninflorida wrote:
August 2008

I've been a fan since college, which was right around the time they first started. (i.e. I'm old! LOL) I just wish "Chi Rho" from Book of Kells was on this list. :(

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