Description
Looking Into Light is the solo debut album by the British singer and songwriter Joanne Hogg (credited Joanna), lead singer of the progressive rock/Celtic fusion band Iona, released in Europe on Alliance Music in 1999, and in the US on ForeFront Records. The album was produced by Iona member Dave Bainbridge.
Christian Music Theory 101: What is Christian music, and who is it for? Is it ministry/evangelism, or is it entertainment? Or both? And what about praise & worship Where does that fit in? Whether you pass or fail is determined by how well you answer the above. The average grade for this course is a C. But every now and then, somebody really nails it.
Such is the case with the Celtic hymns of Joanna Hoagg’s Looking Into Light. Prompted by her Presbyterian minister/father, the lead singer of Northern Ireland’s Iona has compiled an ambient collection of traditional hymns and worship songs that are as meaningful as they are moving, as rooted in history as they are shining and new. The project is a wonderful reminder of what Christian music, at its essence, can be.
All the hymns here are breathtaking in their own respects, but of particular note is John Addison’s Psalm 19 paean «Spacious Firmament», which indescribably describes the Creator’s universal display of power. «I Ask No Dream» and «Almighty Father», two modern praise meditations, are almost Shakespearean in lyric and as powerful as they are profound. Classics like «Rock of Ages», «Be Thou My Vision» and «Oh, the Deep, Deep Love», all cradled in traditional Irish musical settings, illuminate the lyrics without lulling one to sleep. The most memorable of the classics is «When I Survey».
Then there’s Hoagg’s amazing, ethereal voice supported by incredible musicianship that carries her gifts without overpowering them. It’s all here, and it’s not overstated.
This is a project of worshipful expressions with real theological depth. As songs and hymns that acknowledge with beauty and power the transcendent God and God’s son, Looking Into Light is a treasure not to be missed. [Melissa Riddle, CCM, May 1999]
Joanne is, of course, none other than Joanne Hogg of Iona and this is a splendid offering, doing more than justice to what is essentially a collection of hymns. Joanne has added fresh melodies to some classic hymns and together with others which she sings intact, brings a vibrant, Celtic flavour to timeless words. The album kicks off with a haunting treatment of «I Heard The Voice», possibly the finest hymn by Horatius Bonar. Other tracks that stand out are «My Song Is Love Unknown», «How Sweet The Name» (a John Newton classic), «Oh The Deep, Deep Love», «Rock Of Ages» and «When I Survey». However, for me the highlight of the whole album is «Be Thou My Vision», surely a prayer for today if ever there was one! The musicianship is at all times excellent and a look at the credits soon tells you why! Iona members past and present are here in abundance, plus some nice strings for good measure. Dave Bainbridge has his fingerprints all over the place, playing, producing and arranging. Troy Donockley plays the Uilleann pipes at their haunting best. Can’t move for bass players – Phil Barker, Nick Beggs and Tim Harries all make an appearance while Terl Bryant on drums and Dave Fitzgerald, for me the main man on flute and tin whistle, also weigh in with exemplary contributions. Give your ears and soul a treat – buy it! [Terry Bateman, Cross Rhythms, June 1999]
On the strength of her work with Iona, the Classic Rock Society named Joanne Hogg the best female vocalist of 1997. During Iona’s sabbatical all the members have engaged in other projects and finally Hogg’s new work is reaching listeners. That work is a collection of songs based on lyrics found in old church hymnals.
In fact, a glance at the credits sheet suggests this could almost be an Iona album. Produced by Dave Bainbridge with appearances from Troy Donockley, Phil Barker, Nick Beggs, Tim Harries, Frank van Essen, Terl Bryant, and Dave Fitzgerald among others, this album is something of a reunion for Iona past and present. But it is not an Iona album. There are of course the Celtic instruments, spacious arrangements and the odd hint that the musicians have a background in progressive rock, but the overall feel has a little more of the Clannad influence about it, more ethereal than Iona.
The vocals are gorgeous. Hogg’s voice is not always as spine-tingling as it has been on some past recordings, but she manages to bring together her love for these traditional words with a level of technical skill rarely seen in popular music. The interplay of Dave Fitzgerald’s distinctive woodwind and Hogg’s vocals on «When I Survey» is just one example of the extraordinary chemistry that exists between this group of musicians.
A special treat comes on «Brightest and Best» when Joanne is joined by her sisters Helen, Doreen, and Muriel. A natural harmony comes from the four voices and the accompaniment is kept tastefully bare, with a bozouki and some percussion providing the majority of the support for the first three minutes, and then a simple instrumental break adding in more textures.
Despite the wonderful performances, from time to time it feels as if the album is going to slip into the dangerous territory Maire Brennan‘s recent solo album unfortunately ended up in where it was too expansive to hold together, but this problem only rears its head briefly. The album does not have quite the same spark as some of Iona’s best work, but never suffers from the tedium that collections of hymns often develop. A beautifully performed and arranged collection from one of modern music’s most exquisite vocalists. [James Stewart, The Phantom Tollbooth, 3/21/99]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/looking-into-the-light-celtic-hymns/716719887)
CD tracklist:
01. I Heard The Voice – 3:59
02. My Song Is Love Unknown – 4:11
03. How Sweet The Name – 5:31
04. Spacious Firmament – 4:32
05. Be Thou My Vision – 6:20
06. I Ask No Dream – 5:23
07. Oh The Deep Deep Love – 4:01
08. Rock Of Ages – 7:08
09. Brightest And Best – 3:52
10. Almighty Father Who Dost Give – 4:58
11. When I Survey – 6:26
12. Be Still My Soul – 3:27
Note: Looking Into Light and Personal were re-issued by Kingsway Music in 2010 as a 2CD.
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