IONA: The Circling Hour

Cover	Release	Style
	2006-09	progressive folk rock
	Label
	Open Sky
	Website
	www.iona.uk.com
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	64:57	OPENVP11CD
	Review by	Rating
	Luc Descamps	8/10
nederlands	Review
It’s been quite a while since Iona released some new material. The Circling Hour sounds very recognizable to the fans of their music. The inevitable Celtic folk element is still there, accompanied by Joanne Hogg’s voice that often reminds of Maire Brennan, the voice of Clannad. The drumming technique reinforces the folk atmosphere and the pipes open the boundaries of time. And still there’s evolution: more than in the former album the connection with progressive and symphonic rock is to be heard. The music is very melodic at all times, therefore those who demand complex musical structures might be disappointed, but if you feel connected to the earth and all its mysteries and splendour, you may find yourself enjoying while listening to this music. The mainly instrumental ‘Wind off the Lake’ takes you back to the Celtic mountains where druids reign and life is submitted to the powers of heaven. The main atmosphere is very joyful, more lively than ‘Open Sky’. Incredible how pipes and guitar reach out to each other, both solos are magnificent. Listen to ‘Skymaps’ and feel the magic coming out of your speakers, not to mention ‘Wind, Water & Fire’. The Circling Hour is a Hymn to life and should be treated as such.
Musicians
Joanne Hogg: vocals, keyboard Dave Bainbridge: guitars, keyboards, mandolin, bouzouki Troy Donockley: uillean pipes, whiles Frank van Essen: drums, percussion, violins Phil Barker: bass guitar Special guest: Heather Findlay
Tracklist
1. Empyrean Dawn 2. Children of Time 3. Strength 4. Wind Off The Lake 5. Factory Of Magnificent Souls 6. Sky Maps 7. No Fear in Love 8. Wind, Water & Fire - Wind 9. Wind, Water & Fire - Water 10. Wind, Water & Fire - Fire 11. Fragment (Of a Fiery Sun)


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