Customer Reviews

Book of Kells

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Iona, for those of who have never heard of them, are a Christian progressive rock band that from the British Isles. They are an amazingly talented group! Their music is very hard to describe in a only a few short sentences. They are a very atmospheric band that has a remarkable musicianship. All of these musicians in this band are WORLD-CLASS. They can play in any style and do anything they want, because they have the talent. Iona are the following musicians:

Dave Bainbridge - guitar, keyboards, programming
Joanne Hogg - vocals, keyboards
David Fitzgerald - tenor/alto saxophones, flute, piccolo
Nick Beggs - Chapman stick, Wal's 5-string bass
Terl Bryant - drums and percussion
Frank Van Essen - percussion, violin
Troy Donockley - uillean pipes, low whistle

Guest Musicians - Robert Fripp (King Crimson) - guitar, soundscapes, Fiona Davidson - celtic harp, The Paul Whitfield Strings - ensemble violins/violas, the congregation of Kessington Temple Church

Now the music of this album is very conceptual or in other words its music and lyrics all follow a theme that progresses through the album. The album is VERY progressive. It is such a beautiful album. There isn't anything harsh or distorted about this album at all. I think it's a shame that musicians and groups of this caliber aren't recognized in the United States. There is so much good music here that anyone that has musical ears or that plays an instrument can appreciate it. This album also won several awards. One of them being "Best International Album" by Dove. I think Christian music should take some pointers from these masters as they rely heavily on the music to lead. There aren't many vocals on this album at all, because it's mostly instrumental. I understand the importance of lyrics in Christian music, but not all Christian music has to have vocals. Music speaks a voice by itself. Listen to this album and open your heart and you will not be disappointed.

I also highly recommend the following Iona albums:

Open Sky
Journey into the Morn
Beyond These Shores

I've had this album for nearly 12 years now and have likely listened to it hundreds of times. I also own a published copy of the ancient manuscript, The Book of Kells. This album is an epic of discovery through the enlightened Gospels and the band/composers should be commended for their musical interpretation of such an important bit of history. I studied the copy of the manuscript initially with this very album playing in the background...it was a perfect soundscape. Several of the songs are titled based on the individual Illuminated Gospels themselves. Mark the Man is one that stands out, but each track is a 10 on its own!

The band takes its name from the island between England/Scotland and Ireland. The history of illuminated Gospels extends to the Island of Iona, so it was highly appropriate that the band, made up of members from both islands, should create and perform "The Book of Kells".

Excellent - better than 5 stars.

Steve in Seattle

Let me start by saying I LOVE Iona. I can't think of anything bad to say about them. The music itself is so passionate and meaningful and the orchestrations are amazing. Personally I think it was a great idea to write an entire song cycle about a thousand year old illuminated manuscript of the four gospels and what they mean to the faith of the musicians. Inspiration from something so deep and personal clearly resulted in a deeply, personal composition. Iona is wonderful and this album was an excellent addition to my library.

Another excellent Iona masterpiece is the live album with the All Souls Orchestra. It has some pieces from The Book of Kells, and some from other albums, and it is really beautiful.

Haunting, and powerful. Those of you who have a sence of Spirituality, this CD has it all. It takes you from rock to folk very smoothly. The Title track is for me the most powerful, the vocals echo and the sax contrbutes to the emotions you can feel when you listen to it . Basically ENJOY.

From the very first track, Iona takes the listener on a spiritual journey that leaves them begging for more. The haunting, sweeping saxophone of David Fitzgerald revealed in later tracks adds a melancholy flavor to the album, but not so much as to classify it as genuine blues. With stylistic influences ranging from other Irish names such as Enya and earlier instrumental works by the Corrs, this album is hard to classify as anything but a Celtic/Christian dream, sure to please even the most demanding consumer. The Book of Kells is indeed a spiritual awakening of sorts, encouraging the soul to fly, the heart to soar, and the mind to let go. Try to listen to just the first track, and you'll find the temptation to put everything else aside and complete the entire album from start to finish almost unbearable. Iona's extremely talented instrumentalists and the resounding angelic voice of Joanne Hogg have created a musical masterpiece. Having owned the album for several years now, it stays on my "most listened to" CD row with others like Enya, the Corrs, and even the Moody Blues. Kells Opening Theme - Track 1 invites the listener to pay attention to nothing else but the beautiful melody, and also begins to tell a story. Track 2 - Revelation, continues the Christian Imagery that lasts until the very last, No Beginning No End - Track 14. Without being biased in either classification, this album is refreshing in its Celtic/Christian duality.

Named after Ireland's legendary book of spirituality, The Book of Kells succeeds in representing a modernly forgotten school of thought by taking the listener back to a time when faith and music could hardly be separated.

This is a 2002 remastered reissue of the 1992 Book of Kells. Classic Iona CD with waves of music and the singing of Joanne Hogg which rides the waves and at times pierces through them.

An historic theme set to contemporary and progressive rock music, with hauntingly beautiful vocals. The Book of Kells, an icon of Celtic faith, literature, and culture - and of Western Civilization -- comes to life in this collection of songs. This CD could well be a soundtrack for a modern-day opera about the preservation of the Christian faith throughout the ages, and the preservation of the human soul throughout one's life in the world, and along one's spiritual journey. This is only the band's second album. But they sound as if they were divinely called and brought together to present this musical, artistic, and spiritual revelation. There is a good pace to the album, a good rhythm, a continual ebb and flow throughout. The lyrics are colorful and vivid, as if you are listening to living parables. You can imagine yourself in the songs. The Book of Kells is an elaborately illustrated version of the four Gospels. The various aspects of Christ are presented in the songs, especially in the ones titled to correspond with the four living creatures who surround the Throne of Heaven with continual praise to "Him Who is worthy" -- the Lion, the Calf, the Eagle, and the Man. This band is one of the finest on the contemporary scene, and this album is both classy and a classic. If you have "ears to hear" then please give this one a listen. Peace.

Iona's second studio album, as the title suggests, is a concept piece based on the book of kells. To be honest.......I don't know what the book of kells is, but based on the song titles I would venture to say that it is a biblical reference. Like most of the other early Iona albums, this one seems a bit overly long to me. It clocks in at over 70 minutes and although it contains a lot of really good stuff, it has it's share of filler as well. When it hits, the music soars with outstanding instrumental guitar, sax and various Celtic instrumentation to create a bombastic soundscape. When it misses the album resembles mellow passages of new age type ambience. Iona are known by many as a Christian band, and although there is a definite message to much of this music, the references are subtle enough that people of any religious persuasion should be able to enjoy this. Overall this is another very strong album from this talented band from Ireland, but I think cutting out about 20 minutes or so could have made it a better more well rounded work.

The Book of Kells was one of the most important pieces of art and literature in Western Culture.
It's a big ask for a modern 'celtic' musical group to produce a serious interpretation of this iconic and complex piece of literature.
Do they succeed?
In a single word, "No."
Whilst their music is good listening; dreamy, ethereal and swoopy, it is closer to 'elevator music' than I would expect.
The lyrics are banal.
Pleasing to the ear, but a little disappointing.