Iona – Live In London

‘Live In London’ captures the band on a rainy November night in 2004, playing to a packed and enthusiastic audience at the University of London, not long before the recording of their 6th studio album ‘The Circling Hour’. The set includes three early versions of songs that would be included on that album, as well as tracks from all of their previous albums. With superb lighting from Paul Kell (Pink Floyd/Nick Mason), a full 5 camera film crew and multi track recording set up backstage, ‘Live In London’ is a fantastic document of the band’s powerful live performances. Surround sound expert John Kellogg mixed the album in Los Angeles. The film showcases the band in both an acoustic and a full plugged setting and the results are spell bounding. The Main Programme is largely high energy set full of outrageous guitar solos, crystal clean vocals and the wondrous melodies that permeate Iona’s music. Also included is the band’s opening half hour set of acoustic renditions of songs such as ‘Chi-Rho’ and ‘Edge of the World’ plus extensive interviews with all the band. Iona aren’t so much about their hits but more about a wave of feeling and this is brought out in the concert because the listener can’t help but feel so positive and full of heart and enthusiasm. This is a fantastic concert experience showcasing some absolutely amazing talent.

PERSONNEL:
Dave Bainbridge – Keyboards, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bouzouki
Joanne Hogg – Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar
Phil Barker – Basses
Troy Donockley – Uilleann pipes, Low and Tin Whistles, Bouzouki, Acoustic Guitar, Vocal
Frank Van Essen – Drums, Percussion, Violin