This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 6/06
"Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html
Iona is a band that could travel about, perform in diverse
locations and continuously hear this welcoming proclamation: "Ay,
they're
one of us."
Such is so because this veritable celtic symphony effortlessly floats betwixt and between numerous sub-genres of the celtic motherlode. Listen to the latest release from this long-standing group to hear musical notes and lyrics reminiscent of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Breton, Asturia, Galicia, Cornwall, Quebec, Appalachia and even Bolivia. This music is for you if your taste is firmly rooted in the sod of Ireland and Scotland, interspersed with ports of call around the globe. The members of Iona are excellent students of the expansive celtic classification.
Actually, "A Celebration of Twenty" is a recording that could
be used
as the 'textbook' in a 'trad and beyond' music course. Consisting of
two CDs, the first, "Deep Roots," is a listen back composed of
selections from previous Iona releases--a retrospective of sorts. The
second, "New Growth," is material new to Iona's repertoire. In
keeping with this spirit of old and new, the actual labels of these two
CDs are complimentary earth tones--"Deep Roots" CD is aptly colored
brown while the "New Growth" CD is a bright green. The former offers
just over 66 minutes of music, the latter, 47.
There's some difficulty involved in singling out highlight
selections as the pickings are bountiful. So try this: check out the
opening offering (Sally Gardens/Hills of Connemara/Willy Davie/Miss
Girdle) on "Deep Roots" to get a taste of the full lavor of Iona. Bass
guitar and whistle blooming, followed by engaging singalong vocals and
ending with dervish-paced Highland pipes. "Donald MacGillavry" must also
be mentioned for both its luminous solo singing of Barbara Tresidder Ryan
and how the pace of the song slowly emerges.
The initial cut (The Emigrant's Song/Saltash/Kelenn) on "New
Growth" offers a fiddle opening, harmonic singing, then a transition
into two primarily fiddle tunes and an end consisting of the repeat of
the primary line of verse in "The Emigrant Song."
This band cares deeply about that which they perform. The vocals are precise--no dropping of vowels or slurring here--as is the instrumentation. Amidst
the harmonies and solo singing comes bursts of piping, both blazing and
hushed fiddle, lilting flute and animated whistle, bouzouki, guitar and
more.
Just as the celtic music genus has evolved, so has the band's
membership. Currently, comprised of founding members Barbara Tresidder
Ryan and Bernard Argent, relative newcomers Chuck Lawhorn and Andrew
Dodds have settled right in, making mighty contributions to the varied
and consummate sound of the group.
Seminal celtic groups such as Altan, The Battlefield Band and
others have a well-deserved reputation. I believe Iona should be
mentioned alongside these distinguished groups as Ryan, Argent, Lawhorn
and Dodds are on a
par with the best.
Ownership, copyright and title of this celtic music CD review belongs to me, Kevin McCarthy. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferrable or assignable to you or other parties regardless of how or if you or other parties use, copy, save, backup, store, retrieve, transmit, display, publish, modify or share the CD review in whole or in part. Please read the "Terms, Conditions and Disclaimers" section on my web site for addititonal information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.
Send inquiries to: celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com.
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