Search - Iona :: Heaven's Bright Sun

1st Early Live CD

John D. Dooley | Southern California United States | 09/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 CD set of Iona live is not like their later live CD "Woven Cord" which featured an added symphonic orchestra. Therefore you get a truer experience of what the Irish/Scottish folk jazz rock band may sound like at a standard gig. Recorded in December 1996 at the following places in England:



Irish Centre in Leeds



The Q Club in Burmingham



The Amulet in Shepton Mallet



Songs are from the pervious 4 CD's "Iona", "Book of Kells", "Beyond These Shores", & "Journey Into The Morn". A beautiful traditional song "I Will Give My Love An Apple" is a great added bonus. Most songs deal with ancient Celtic Christianity love of God, the Saints, nature, & light while not getting preachy or commercial.



Professionally recorded with just the right audience background will take you there at the concert to celebrate the spiritual in your life. Joanne Hogg has one of the best Angelic voices with Dave Bainbridge as one of the fastest & cleanest guitar players around.



Could be hard to get, but here it is at Amazon.com"

Music that helps keep me Christian

Craig Payne | Ottumwa, Iowa | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard "The Book of Kells," I was truly astonished. Under the sludge of the majority of contemporary Christian music, it was like finding the Hope diamond. Other Iona albums were just as great or better, notably "Journey Into the Morn." But let me tell you: There are moments on this live double-CD that top anything else Iona ever recorded. For a while, I listened to "When I Survey" every day--it helped carry me through a rough time in my Christian life. (Things are much better now, thanks for asking.) These songs are filled with incredible vocals, amazing instrumentals, guitar solos that are filled with the anointing of God; and listen especially toward the very end of the second CD, when suddenly a flock of passing geese, symbols of Celtic spirituality and freedom, are represented musically. It still sends chills down my spine when I hear it. One more note: If you like the type of group Iona is (not the type of music, necessarily, but the type of group--anointed but edgy and going its own way), you might also check out The Choir and The Violet Burning. Christ still reigns in music, as in everything else.

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