The Book of Kells

1. Kells Opening Theme

2. Revelation

3. Matthew - The Man

4. Chi-Rho

5. Mark - The Lion

6. River Flows

7. Luke - The Calf

8. Virgin and Child

9. Temptation

10. Arrest - Gethsemene

11. Trinity - The Godhead

12. John - The Eagle

13. Kells

14. Eternity - No Beginning, No End

Tracks:

Kells Opening Theme
Revelation
Matthew - The Man
Chi-Rho
Mark - The Lion
River Flows
Luke - The Calf
Virgin and Child
Temptation
Arrest - Gethsemene
Trinity - The Godhead
John - The Eagle
Kells
Eternity - No Beginning, No End

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Celtic-Christian Prog.......2006-12-20

Let me start by saying I LOVE Iona. I can't think of anything bad to say about them. The music itself is so passionate and meaningful and the orchestrations are amazing. Personally I think it was a great idea to write an entire song cycle about a thousand year old illuminated manuscript of the four gospels and what they mean to the faith of the musicians. Inspiration from something so deep and personal clearly resulted in a deeply, personal composition. Iona is wonderful and this album was an excellent addition to my library.

Another excellent Iona masterpiece is the live album with the All Souls Orchestra. It has some pieces from The Book of Kells, and some from other albums, and it is really beautiful.

Excellent World Class production........2005-11-10

I've had this album for nearly 12 years now and have likely listened to it hundreds of times. I also own a published copy of the ancient manuscript, The Book of Kells. This album is an epic of discovery through the enlightened Gospels and the band/composers should be commended for their musical interpretation of such an important bit of history. I studied the copy of the manuscript initially with this very album playing in the background...it was a perfect soundscape. Several of the songs are titled based on the individual Illuminated Gospels themselves. Mark the Man is one that stands out, but each track is a 10 on its own!

The band takes its name from the island between England/Scotland and Ireland. The history of illuminated Gospels extends to the Island of Iona, so it was highly appropriate that the band, made up of members from both islands, should create and perform "The Book of Kells".

Excellent - better than 5 stars.

Steve in Seattle

Celtic elevator music.......2005-08-16

The Book of Kells was one of the most important pieces of art and literature in Western Culture.
It's a big ask for a modern 'celtic' musical group to produce a serious interpretation of this iconic and complex piece of literature.
Do they succeed?
In a single word, "No."
Whilst their music is good listening; dreamy, ethereal and swoopy, it is closer to 'elevator music' than I would expect.
The lyrics are banal.
Pleasing to the ear, but a little disappointing.

Christian Celtic Progressive Rock Concept Album?.......2004-07-25

Iona, for those of who have never heard of them, are a Christian progressive rock band that from the British Isles. They are an amazingly talented group! Their music is very hard to describe in a only a few short sentences. They are a very atmospheric band that has a remarkable musicianship. All of these musicians in this band are WORLD-CLASS. They can play in any style and do anything they want, because they have the talent. Iona are the following musicians:

Dave Bainbridge - guitar, keyboards, programming
Joanne Hogg - vocals, keyboards
David Fitzgerald - tenor/alto saxophones, flute, piccolo
Nick Beggs - Chapman stick, Wal's 5-string bass
Terl Bryant - drums and percussion
Frank Van Essen - percussion, violin
Troy Donockley - uillean pipes, low whistle

Guest Musicians - Robert Fripp (King Crimson) - guitar, soundscapes, Fiona Davidson - celtic harp, The Paul Whitfield Strings - ensemble violins/violas, the congregation of Kessington Temple Church

Now the music of this album is very conceptual or in other words its music and lyrics all follow a theme that progresses through the album. The album is VERY progressive. It is such a beautiful album. There isn't anything harsh or distorted about this album at all. I think it's a shame that musicians and groups of this caliber aren't recognized in the United States. There is so much good music here that anyone that has musical ears or that plays an instrument can appreciate it. This album also won several awards. One of them being "Best International Album" by Dove. I think Christian music should take some pointers from these masters as they rely heavily on the music to lead. There aren't many vocals on this album at all, because it's mostly instrumental. I understand the importance of lyrics in Christian music, but not all Christian music has to have vocals. Music speaks a voice by itself. Listen to this album and open your heart and you will not be disappointed.

I also highly recommend the following Iona albums:

Open Sky
Journey into the Morn
Beyond These Shores

Byzantium-The Book of Kells & St. Aidan's Journey

Average customer rating:

Byzantium Cd truly reflects the themes of the book.
Good in places, but disappointing
Intriguing, questful music!
Delightful
Powerfully moving music

Byzantium-The Book of Kells & St. Aidan's Journey
Jeff Johnson , and Brian Dunning
Manufacturer: Ark [Bur400]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004XR8Y
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

Cadocs Blessing
Sea Wolves
Over Kells
Theng
Byzantium (Golden City)
Eagle Dream
Caliphs Mines
Kazimans Gift
Eleison
Vows

Album Description

Celtic/Electronic Heads East

Byzantium - The Book of Kells & St. Aidan's Journey is the brand new release from Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning. The popular duo take their contemporary Celtic sensibilities and head East following the footsteps of the Celtic monk, Aidan, featured in the best selling book written by Stephen Lawhead. Aidan's great adventure with the Book of Kells takes him from the Irish Sea to Gaul, to Viking kingdoms, down the Volga and across the desert sands of Persia. Johnson and Dunning have recorded a rich backdrop to these diverse lands with the help of Irish violinist, John Fitzpatrick; classical vocalist, Janet Chvatal; and Turkish virtuoso, Omar Faruk Tekbilek.

Customer Reviews:

Byzantium Cd truly reflects the themes of the book........2005-03-09

If you're a JJ fan, you have to have this one. The first 4 songs are as good as anything Jeff and Co. have ever done. 'Vows' from the movie "Gangs of New York" is an exciting song and the hidden song 'Aidan's Dream' is a first rate vocal effort. If you're not a Jeff Johnson fan - you need to be. Do something good for *you* today - pick this one up.

Good in places, but disappointing.......2003-03-15

The Johnson/Dunning teaming on the CD, Celtic Legends: Bard & Warrior was a delight in the celtic music genre. I looked forward to this follow-up CD, perhaps with a little too much anticipation because I was somehat disappointed. Use of the spoken word with annoying chants at what appears to be odd times detract from the music. Stick to Celtic Legends, and hope their next CD is better.

Intriguing, questful music!.......2002-11-30

These compositions are based on Stephen R. Lawhead's novel "Byzantium", which concerns a group of Celtic monks traveling to far Byzantium, bearing the Book of Kells. Hopeful, expectant "wandering music" is tinged with mystery and mixed with eastern motifs. This release maintains Johnson and Dunning's gentle touch, but it has a more exotic, driving and deeper tone than their earlier CD, "Music of Celtic Legends: The Bard and the Warrior", also inspired by the work of Lawhead. The evolution is compelling though, and eminently suitable to the story. These compositions contain more vocals and acoustic instrumentation too, including John Fitzpatrick on violin, the chanting of Janet Chvatal, and Omar Faruk Tekbilek on percussion and vocals. Particularly intriguing is the innovative and rousing "Sea Wolves", a dissonant duet between violin and flute reminiscent of modern chamber music, set above a rousing, steady drum rhythm. And Dunning does some really nice, varying work on his flutes on this CD, from biting and breathy "Jethro Tull" style techniques to the deep, haunting effects of what sound like alto and bass flutes. If you like storytelling music, check out also the compelling "Avalon: A Celtic Legend" and "Music Inspired by Middle Earth" by Diane and David Arkenstone, and the passionate "A Celtic Tale: The Legend of Deirdre" and "A Celtic Romance: The Legend of Liadain and Curithir" by the Danna brothers.

Delightful.......2002-05-15

Byzantium, is a wonderful c.d. based on the book "Byzantium." Having read the book, which is about an Irish monk and his travels, I can say that this c.d. captures it. Each track causes emotions to arise. The music makes a person want to break into a dance, travel to exotic lands, but then ponder their life. I reccommend both the book and the c.d. The two will have great impact.

Powerfully moving music.......2002-04-24

All I can say after an extended session, listening to the CD mulitple times is "Wow." It grows on me and each time I listen I am more moved. I didn't realize Jeff Johnson is a committed Christian until I looked at his web site for ArkMusic. His faith shines through the music. Be sure and listen to the hidden song in the last track. Jeff wrote it as a tribute to his best friend who died of cancer. A powerful testimony to his faith. Well worth getting.

Average customer rating:

Book Of Kells
Welcome to Ireland - Spiritual Center of the Universe

Book of Kells
Iona
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000564H9

Customer Reviews:

Book Of Kells.......2001-09-13

Haunting, and powerful. Those of you who have a sence of Spirituality, this CD has it all. It takes you from rock to folk very smoothly. The Title track is for me the most powerful, the vocals echo and the sax contrbutes to the emotions you can feel when you listen to it . Basically ENJOY.

Welcome to Ireland - Spiritual Center of the Universe.......2001-06-08

From the very first track, Iona takes the listener on a spiritual journey that leaves them begging for more. The haunting, sweeping saxophone of David Fitzgerald revealed in later tracks adds a melancholy flavor to the album, but not so much as to classify it as genuine blues. With stylistic influences ranging from other Irish names such as Enya and earlier instrumental works by the Corrs, this album is hard to classify as anything but a Celtic/Christian dream, sure to please even the most demanding consumer. The Book of Kells is indeed a spiritual awakening of sorts, encouraging the soul to fly, the heart to soar, and the mind to let go. Try to listen to just the first track, and you'll find the temptation to put everything else aside and complete the entire album from start to finish almost unbearable. Iona's extremely talented instrumentalists and the resounding angelic voice of Joanne Hogg have created a musical masterpiece. Having owned the album for several years now, it stays on my "most listened to" CD row with others like Enya, the Corrs, and even the Moody Blues. Kells Opening Theme - Track 1 invites the listener to pay attention to nothing else but the beautiful melody, and also begins to tell a story. Track 2 - Revelation, continues the Christian Imagery that lasts until the very last, No Beginning No End - Track 14. Without being biased in either classification, this album is refreshing in its Celtic/Christian duality.

Product Description

The tracks are: 1. Kells Opening Theme, 2. Revelation, 3. Mathew - The Man, 4. Chi-Rho, 5. Mark - The Lion, 6. The River Flows, 7. Luke - The Calf, 8. Virgin and Child, 9. Temptation, 10. The Arrest - Gethsemane, 11. Trinity - The Godhead, 12. John - The Eagle, 13. kells, 14. Eternity - No Beginning, No End.

Average customer rating:

The Book of Kells

Manufacturer: Forefront
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000A6LJJK

Product Description

Audio CD , The Book of Kells, by Iona with 14 tracks including: Revelation, Matthew - The Man, The River Flows, Virgin and the Child, No Beginning - No End, plus others.

Average customer rating:

Frank Corcoran: Mad Sweeney

Manufacturer: Black Box Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004UAL2
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Average customer rating:

Book Of Kells
Iona
Manufacturer: Wheezy Multimedia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000OIOWIY
Release Date: 2004-01-01

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