Iona - Journey Into the Morn

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Music reviews of Journey Into the Morn

Music Review: Fantastic voyage
Rating: 5 Stars

Iona have been around for quite a while now (since 1989 to be
exact) and have continued to develop over the years - like White Heart
and Amy Grant for instance - into icons of the Christian music
scene. A scene which they appear to have outgrown, seemingly poised to
take the secular world by storm, without taking the final step. The
1995 "Journey into the morn" is their 4th studio
effort. Including more recent releases such as "Woven cord"
(live in London), "Open sky" and solo projects like Troy
Donockley's "The unseen stream" and Joanne Hogg's
"Looking into light", it is also their best. (I am not sure
where the 1999 album "Eye of the eagle" fits in.) Prequel
"Beyond these shores" (1993) introduced me to Iona's
atmospheric brand of progressive rock, fusing pop, symphonic rock, a
modicum of new age and Celtic folk in a highly original, inspirational
blend of superior quality. It is a great album which features my
favorite Iona track ever ("Beachy head", with a brilliant
saxophone solo), but misses the overall grandeur of its
successor.

Northern Irish lead singer Joanne Hogg (multiple winner
of the Classic Rock Society's Best Female Vocalist of the Year
election) has one of those soothing, mesmerizing, angelic voices that
the Irish seem to have a monopoly on, but packs more verve and
intensity than most of her "compatriots". Fellow
nightingales Maire Brennan (Clannad), who also contributed to this
album, Loreena McKennitt, Enya and Mary Black are a few of the vocal
templates that come to mind. All of the songs are furnished with a
glorious tapestry of keyboards and synths throughout, but stealing the
limelight is guitar virtuoso Dave Bainbridge, who never ceases to
impress me with his supreme skill, expert timing and riveting solos. A
myriad of alternate instruments (flute, violin, Uillean pipes, tin
whistle, harp, sax a.o.) help summon that authentic Irish mood.

In
between low-key opener "Bi-se i mo shuil Part I" (sung in
Gaelic) and closing track "When i survey" (with a vocal
structure similar to "Amazing grace") lies a whole gamut of
musical styles. Songs like "Irish day", "Wisdom"
and "No heart beats" (apt rhythmic beat, strong bass,
Clannad-like harmony vox) are prime examples of sophisticated
poprock. Their dreamy, acoustic based tracks, some not exceeding the 3
minute mark ("The search", the title track itself), are as
enchanting as their epics are complex and powerful. The latter
includes "Heaven's bright sun", the only non-vocal track
(discounting the men's choir), which would lend its name to their next
release, a terrific live double album. Their longest track to date,
"Encircling", is a microcosm of Iona's music, exploring all
of their differing styles and instrumental diversity within an 11 and
a half minute timeframe. At times breathtakingly sensitive, they are
equally adept at unleashing a tempest as the music swells and erupts
into one of Bainbridge's trademark solos, as is also emphatically
proven on "Inside my heart", which starts off on a
misleading acoustical note. "Irish day" sings Ireland's
praises in such a wonderfully evocative manner that i'm tempted to hop
the next plane to Dublin. "Lindisfarne" brings about a
similar effect. (A visit to this island in 1988 by key member David
Fitzgerald led to Iona's formation.)

Despite its running time of
over 78 minutes, "Journey into the morn" can easily be
listened to from start to finish without boredom setting in, even if
only serving as background music. Its lyrics are inspired by and even
literally incorporate fragments of ancient Irish hymns, traditional
Gaelic tunes and verses from the bible. First and foremost they are a
Christian band, but one that avoids forcefeeding His message to its
listeners. Their m.o. is all about musical and lyrical finesse. In
case you have trouble taking a hint, this is one album that i advise
you promote a.s.a.p. to the top of your wants list. For progressive
rock fans of any religious or atheistic persuasion, they are a sure
thing !

You may also wanna check out their 15 track compilation
album "Treasures" (1993), a nice selection of songs from
their first 3 albums, "Iona", "The book of Kells"
and "Beyond these shores". "Beachy head"
unfortunately is notably absent. (To quote fellow gospel rockers
Liaison: "Go and sin no more...")

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