They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona's works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes.
For Iona's 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and several studio musicians -- Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The self-titled album received very little press, even in their home country, though a Dutch network compiled a documentary based on Iona, the band and the island.
Two years later, Iona returned with "Book of Kells", and the album was praised by North American critics
as well as those of the British Isles. David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music and, as a result, Iona lost much of its jazz influences by the following year's Beyond These Shores. The group made up for Fitzgerald's absence, however, by inviting Robert Fripp to guest on the album. Both albums also featured former Kajagoogoo bassist/stickist Nick Beggs. A contract with England's Alliance Music led to "Journey into the Morn"; the album was released in 1996 in the U.S. and Canada, and was listed among the top five folk albums in Q Magazine's Year End Review. "Heaven's Bright Sun", a live album, came the following year, then "Woven Cord" in 2000, and "Open Sky" in 2001.
Their latest release, new to 2007, is called "The Circling Hour".
iona has been a Leipzig, Germany based postrock-band from 2005-2010 that now reemerges as The Yuki Rush. https://ionanoise.bandcamp.com/album/a-noise
There is also a Romanian experimental / hip hop band who also go by the name "Iona",
Sky Maps
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a city like a museum
That hosts the sun and moon
As they melt the road, the well worn road
It must have been a morning like this
When Gallileo looked into infinity
From within and without
The lyrics in "Sky Maps" by Iona describe the beauty of a clear morning in the city, which resembles a museum where the sun and moon melt the well-worn road. The first line encourages us to pay attention to the clarity of the air, which is a rarity in the city. The second line continues the comparison by describing the city as a museum that displays the sun and moon as they dance above.
The reference to Galileo looking into infinity creates a sense of wonder and contemplation about the cosmos. It suggests that the singer is also looking into infinity, taking a moment to appreciate the vastness of the universe. This reference also adds a historical and scientific element to the song, making it more intellectual and thought-provoking. The overall mood of the song is one of awe and reverence for the natural world, encouraging listeners to take a moment to appreciate the beauty around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Notice how the air it clears
Observe the clarity of the air
In a city like a museum
In a city so picturesque and pristine
That hosts the sun and moon
Where the sun and moon adorn the sky
As they melt the road, the well worn road
As they shine down on the well-traveled road
It must have been a morning like this
Perhaps this morning is reminiscent of
When Gallileo looked into infinity
When Gallileo gazed upon the expanses of the universe
From within and without
Both from his inner consciousness and outside perspective
Lyrics Β© BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TROY DONOCKLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alyson Kelly
on Revelation
Revelation
by Iona
____________________________________________________
Waiting for the Spirit of Truth to tell
Power on Earth to stand in the face of hell
Waiting for the sky to clear
Waiting for the Son to appear
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Learning the purifying flame
Regeneration after the growing pain
Longing for the words to flow
Longing for the world to know
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your
Revelation
Waiting to see you
Waiting to hear you
Waiting for vision
To see your, your, your, your
Revelation