Description
The Book of Kells is the sophomore studio album by the British progressive Celtic rock band Iona, released in UK on What? Records in 1992, a sub-label of Word Records.
Almost two years ago, Great Britain’s Iona wowed U.S. critics with its marvelous debut album. Featuring a fascinating blend of ethnic Irish music, progressive rock and meditative new age sounds, the album proved very hard to classify. Audiences were slow to embrace the totally unique band, and the record received little broadcast exposure (except for a lovely video of «The Island», from whence came the group’s name). Consequently, with little sales impetus to attract it to the States, a planned summer of ’91 visit never materialized, and the band continued compiling material for its follow-up album, ‘The Book of Kells’.
The Book of Kells is an ancient manuscript, prepared by Irish monks to hand-copy the four Gospels for future generations. The intricate drawings, or “illuminations” it contains, were to help people understand the Gospels, especially those who couldn’t read Latin; for those who couldn’t read at all, the pictures were essential. The album’s cover and detailed insert contain meticulous reproductions of portions of the original Book of Kells, which has been kept at Trinity College, Dublin, since 1661. Iona has succeeded brilliantly in capturing (or at least reflecting, as much as humanly possible), the mystery and inscrutability of God’s nature, as seen through the Gospels.
The band has augmented its original three-piece line-up with drummer Terl Bryant (featured on the first album, and now a full member), and Stick player Nick Beggs, formerly of the pop band Kajagoogoo. Also returning from the band’s debut disc are Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and violinist Peter Whitfield. Playing percussion and violin is Frank Van Essen, Iona’s original touring drummer, while a beautiful new touch is the Celtic harp of Fiona Davidson.
«Kells Opening Theme», which segues to «Revelation», offer an overview of the album. Vocalist Joanne Hogg gives voice to the feelings that the monks and the Gospel’s original authors must have felt, as they caught a glimpse of God’s illuminating presence, and attempted to reflect that in their stories. The album goes on to present a musical interpretation of each of the Gospels’ authors «Matthew – The Man», «Mark – The Lion», «Luke – The Calf» and «John – The Eagle». Other important Gospel events – «Virgin and Child», «Temptation» and «The Arrest/Gethsemane» are also given a glorious musical treatment. In fact, the entire middle portion – nearly 26 minutes – is given over to an extended suite of instrumentals. The music ranges from the jazzy inclinations of Pink Floyd and Yes («Matthew»), to bursts of thundering rock («Chi-Rho») to gentle acoustic and Celtic sounds («Luke», «Virgin and Child»).
With few tracks under four minutes and one nearly 12, it’s unlikely that you’ll hear much of ‘The Book of Kells’ on the radio, unless it’s a heavily edited and re-mixed single. If you gauge the success of an album strictly by how many copies it sells or how many radio stations decide to play it, then frankly, ‘The Book of Kells’ will probably not be very successful. But if considerations such as instrumental virtuosity and allegience to high artistic standards are part of your equation, then Iona’s sophomore effort is, in my book, one of the most successful discs in this, or any, year. ‘The Book of Kells’ touches something elemental, resonating as few albums can. Allow it to touch you as well. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1992]
Iona – The Book Of Kells (Remastered), Open Sky 2005
A classic album from 1992 from the Celtic fusion pioneers which has lost not one iota of its artistry in the passing years. The 1992 version of the band was a superb one with David Fitzgerald’s sinuous saxophone and floatingly delicate flute a perfect counterpart to Dave Bainbridge’s epic keyboard washes and bitingly elegant guitar work. These are shown off beautifully here, particularly on the evocative instrumentals which pepper this album of 70-odd minutes of music. But if the instrumental dexterity of the band is a highlight (and one must also namecheck Nick Begg’s tasty chapman stick and Terl Bryant’s dextrous percussion here) it’s Joanne Hogg‘s hauntingly ethereal vocals which capture and enthuse the listener. As most people will know, the CD is inspired by the 8th century illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels the band looked at in Trinity College library in Dublin. Creating music which reflects the work of ancient illustrators and calligraphers may not have seemed the most obvious or commercial step for a band who back then were still in their formative years but the fact is, this is a complete creative success and often named as Iona’s greatest work. Four selections focus on images for the four Gospels («Matthew – The Man», «Mark – The Lion», «Luke – The Calf» and «John – The Eagle»), a 32-minute suite of instrumentals portraying Christ’s temptation in the wilderness, arrest and resurrection. Hugely ambitious and hugely successful this re-mastered version brings out the full majesty of the work. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, March 2005]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-book-of-kells/216492760)
CD tracklist:
01. Kells Opening Theme – 4:15
02. Revelation – 4:35
03. Matthew – The Man – 11:51
04. Chi-Rho – 4:39
05. Mark – The Lion – 3:26
06. The River Flows – 5:01
07. Luke – The Calf – 4:03
08. Virgin And Child – 3:16
09. Temptation – 4:34
10. The Arrest – Gethsemane – 3:46
11. Trinity – The Godhead – 6:09
12. John – The Eagle – 4:10
13. Kells – 5:26
14. Eternity – No Beginning, No End – 6:47
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by What? Records. The album was remastered for the 2002 release The River Flows: Anthology and as well independently re-released on Open Sky Records as a standalone album.
Iona: Joanne Hogg (Vocals), David Fitzgerald (Saxes/Flutes/Assorted Woodwinds), Dave Bainbridge (Keyboards/Guitars/Assorted Stringed Instruments), Nick Beggs (Chapman Stick & Basses), Terl Bryant (Drums/Percussion).
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