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Iona Think of a rising sun--bright orange and red just coming over the horizon. Each instrument that enters is another ray shinning through the clouds. This is how Iona's newest album begins. It is a celebration of the past 10 years of the Christian Celtic group, teaming up with the All Soul's Orchestra, a Christian Orchestra from the British Isles. Iona continues their long tradition of great Christian music with lots of Celtic flavor in an album of new and old songs. The orchestra gives new life to Iona's old songs. The album starts off strong with 'Overture.' There is a sense of serenity and awe to the incredible powers of God. It may be the overture to God's creation--the beginning of time. Included are the distinct sounds of the Celts--the violin, bagpipe and flute to create the ethereal sounds so known to us as Celtic. 'Murlough Bay' is a most incredible song with Joanne's serene voice repeating the oxymoron, "here at last I'm on my own with you". It describes the place we all have where we can be alone with God, "a place where we join our hands in a life we defend." Iona's song, 'Revelation,' describes our waiting for God to reveal himself to us. We all long for the day that we are allowed to see God's face. The song has awesome lyrics: "Waiting to see you, waiting to hear you, waiting for vision to see your revelation!" The lyrics in addition with great guitar work and flute playing makes this song one of my favorites. It has such strength and articulates exactly what every Christian is waiting for, to be in our Heavenly God's presence. This album is a must have for all those who enjoy Iona's music or Celtic music or any type of music. It isn't any old 'greatest hits' album, but a re-creation of old songs into an orchestral setting. What Iona has done has bridged the gap between Celtic music, Christian music, and orchestral music. What a wonderful job! This album is a keeper. (Krista L.) |
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