Iona is the name of a Celtic progressive rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge.

History

By the time Iona released their first self-titled album in 1990, drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (formerly the vocalist of Kajagoogoo), Fiona Davidson on Celtic harp, Peter Whitfield on strings, Troy Donockley on Uillean pipes and percussionist Frank Van Essen had joined the band. The first album concentrated mostly on the history of the island of Iona, from which the band got its name.

Iona returned

Journey into the Morn followed in 1996, a more accessible and rock-oriented album loosely based on the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," which was performed in Gaelic at the beginning of the album and again near the end. Máire Brennan, lead singer of new age band Clannad, was brought in to help Joanne with the Gaelic pronunciation, and she sang backup vocals.

Two live albums followed in the late 1990s: the double-disc Heaven's Bright Sun and Woven Cord, which was performed with the All Souls Orchestra. Terl Bryant departed the band between these two albums, and Frank Van

After being released from their U.S. contract with ForeFront Records and their U.K. contract with Alliance Records, Iona formed Open Sky Records to release material independently. The first new release on this label was the 2002 box set The River Flows, which featured remastered versions of the group's first three albums (which were out of print at the time), as well as a fourth disc of unreleased tracks and rarities called Dunes. Several of the tracks from the band's first album were completely re-recorded for the re-release. The first three albums have since been re-released individually, with new cover art.

The group have been on hiatus for the better part of the current decade but is reportedly working on a new album to be released in 2005 or 2006.

Current Members

• Joanne Hogg - Lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
• Dave Bainbridge - Lead guitar
• Troy Donockley - Pipes, whistles, flutes, guitar, and other assorted instruments
• Frank Van Essen - Drums, percussion, violin
• Phil Barker - Bass

Discography

Chronological listing

• Iona (1990)
• The Book Of Kells (1992)
• Beyond These Shores (1993)
• Journey Into The Morn (1996)
• Treasures (1996 - best of collection)
• Heaven's Bright Sun (1997 - live album)
• Woven Cord (1999 - live album featuring the All Souls Orchestra)
• Open Sky (2000)
• The River Flows: Anthology Vol. 1 (2002 - 4 CD box set)
• Iona, DVD (2004) very early live concert
• Live In London, DVD (2005? forthcoming)
• Live In London, (2005? - double live album forthcoming?)
• The Circling Hour (2006 - forthcoming)

Studio Recordings

• Iona (1988)
• The Book Of Kells (1992)
• Beyond These Shores (1993)
• Journey Into The Morn (1996)
• Open Sky (2000)
• The Circling Hour (2006 - forthcoming)

Live Recordings - Audio

• Heaven's Bright Sun (1997 - live album)
• Woven Cord (1999 - live album featuring the All Souls Orchestra)
• Live In London, (2005? - double live album forthcoming?)

Live Recordings - DVD

• Iona, DVD (2004) very early live concert
• Live In London, DVD (2005? forthcoming)

Box Set

• The River Flows: Anthology (2002 - 4 CD box set)

Other Collaborations

• Various Artists - Songs for Luca (2003)
• Various Artists - Songs for Luca 2 (forthcoming)

Iona (band)