Eye of the Eagle (w/ David Adam and David Fitzgerald) (03); Veil of Gossamer (04); Songs for Luca (compilation) (04); From Silence (w/ Troy Donockley) (05); When World's Collide (w/ Troy Donockley) (06); Songs for Luca 2 (07)
David Bainbridge is the creative force behind the sublime UK ethereal-progressive-Celtic-Christian band Iona. A gifted composer, David is a multi-instrumentalist who's virtuosity shines on both the guitar and keyboards.
Eye of the Eagle is a very enjoyable, somewhat mellow contemplative musical journey into the insightful writings and prayers of Celtic theologian David Adam. Iona founders David Bainbridge (guitar, keyboards, etc) and David Fitzgerald (Sax, woodwinds) reunite for more ethereal and atmospheric meanderings that create a fine bed for David Adam's prayerful voice-over narrative. While this album isn't as adventurous musically as Iona, it is extremely beautiful, and provides some meditative and thoughtful revelation on the Creator and the Celtic view of Christianity. There is one section where a massive pipe organ kicks in that is absolutely spine tingling! The album also features Maire Brennan (Clannad) on vocals. Eye of the Eagle is an excellent choice for late night chilling out, it has really grown on me the more I listen to it. [dt]
Veil of Gossamer (Reviewed 9-2-04 by DT)
Whilst his band Iona was on a bit of a hiatus last winter, Dave Bainbridge cloistered himself in a studio with a few close friends and crafted a solo album. As a brilliant multi-instrumentalist and composer that has forayed into a number of different musical styles, the album could have taken several directions: 1) A mellow ambient-acoustic album? 2) Perhaps a foray into classic Celtic folk? 3) Some more commercial singer songwriter tunes perhaps? 4) Or maybe an adventurous progressive rock album filled with long instrumental passages and twisting, chiming guitar solos? Hard to say. After all, his last solo album with David Fitzgerald, The Eye of the Eagle (for more on that, see review above), while brilliant, was mellower and more ambient than I had hoped. So imagine my delight when I found that the prize lay behind Door Number Four - a prog rock adventure!
David Bainbridge has produced a grippingly creative album that more closely resembles the self titled Iona debut or parts of their latest, Open Sky, than his other solo output. It is difficult, of course, to not make Iona comparisons. After all, the album features current and former band mates Troy Donockley, Nick Beggs, Tim Harries, Frank Van Essen, and yes, Joanne Hogg, although she is limited to lead vocals on only one song but does add a lot of wordless vocal textures elsewhere. Golden-piped vocalists Rachel Jones (of the band Karnataka) and Scottish vocalist Mae McKenna do most of the singing, which is predominantly in Gaelic.
Indeed, Veil of Gossamer has flavors the Iona but it is more than that. This is Dave Bainbridge, freed from the necessary compromises that always come with creating music as a band, free to follow his own muse, free to cut loose on his electric and acoustic guitars, free to explore instrumental and vocal textures and rich, ambient washes of aural impressionism. Somehow, he always manages to keep the eclectic mix of instruments and voices fresh and meaningful. His guitar playing is always tasteful, only occasionally indulgent with the perfect amount of flash and creativity. He chose just the right musicians for the right parts, and then, like the amazing producer that he is, he lovingly crafted an album that truly embodies all of his ample giftings and the talents of his guests.
The album concept is loosely based on an ancient story of early Celtic Christianity. St. Cuthbert, a lowly 7th Century shepherd, saw some amazing signs in the heavens over Lindisfarne at the death of Saint Aidan, and eventually became his successor as Abbot of the holy island. This vision is most ably realized in the nearly 15 minute epic, Star-filled Skies, which is the closing track. Made up of four parts, the song builds and thrashes about in dynamic fashion, drops out to a haunting cello, then undulates and spirals between contemplative whistles, ethereal vocals, and charging guitars.
One of the most memorable tracks is the nearly twenty minute, five part The Everlasting Hills. The song starts off in typical Iona fashion, with layers of atmospheric washes that build into an emotive and lyrical guitar solo that carry the listener down a fast moving mountain brook for several minutes. The song then moves underwater to a liquid vocal part sung beautifully by Mae McKenna in Gaelic. That is culminated with some swirling spoken prayers in English, reminiscent a bit of part of the song Encircling off of Journey Into the Morn. Part three moves into some fine acoustic guitar work, violin, even organ, with reverb-laden female voices soaring around. Dave then shows off his deft and emotive piano playing skills on part four, reminding me a bit of free-form jazz great Keith Jarrett. Just when you think that the creative piano noodling is lulling you into a trance, the band comes crashing back in on part five with one of the finest instrumental bits Dave has done, with Iona or otherwise. The expansive drums and soaring electric guitar carry the listener over the Everlasting Hills and gracefully down the other side.
Of course, there are seven other songs on the disc, and I could write long paragraphs about each one. Just wait until you hear the blistering guitar solo on the aptly titled The Homeward Race, a driving song progressive rock lovers will surely cherish. Or the haunting ballad that Joanne sings, Until the Tide Turns. Or the fine steel string guitar finger picking on The Seen and the Unseen. There is so much here to absorb and enjoy. This is just the sort of album I was looking for to tide me over until Iona finally finishes their follow up to Open Sky, something completely fresh and filled with such musical depth and spiritual goodness that I will be spinning it again and again for a variety of reasons, some of which are difficult to describe.
Case in point, the first time I played the disc was home alone on my 400 watt stereo through my fresh and spendy JBL speakers. I marveled at the sonic quality and depth of the bass, which caused a clock to drift off my speaker and crash onto the floor. Now this was a progressive rock album I could sink my ears into! Then, a few days later I took the disc to a late night solo stint in a prayer room at church where we were having a 24 hour prayer time. I am not a person that really prays a lot, so I figured I could at least get some listening in to help pass my three hour time slot. So I put Veil of Gossamer on the CD player, and the music and the Spirit behind it facilitated a strange and powerful time with God. After I took communion at a small table lit by aromatic candles, contemplating His beautiful body broken for my healing and precious blood shed for all my failures, I was suddenly compelled to remove my shoes (which seemed strange), and then, not knowing what else to do I knelt down. I then literally felt the 'kabod' descend on me, pressing me helplessly to the floor, the weight of an ancient and supernatural holy Presence, over me to protect me, under me to uphold me, behind me to direct me, about me to protect me, ever with me to save me, above me to lift me....(words from The Everlasting Hills). It was an amazing experience, and I believe Veil of Gossamer was more than just a soundtrack to it.
So, to sum it all up, my lengthy words of review don't really do this album justice. You'll just have to run out and buy it and listen it for yourself. Suffice to say I give this my highest recommendation. Go to http://www.iona.uk.com for more information on Dave's music and Iona's. [dt]
Songs for Luca is a double compilation CD put together to raise money for Dave Bainbridge's autistic son Luca, and his special treatment program that requires travel from the UK to the US. Contributing artists include Rick Wakeman, Maire Brennan, The Flower Kings, Gentle Giant, Karnataka, Iona, and a host of others, including solo works from several Iona members. This is a great introduction to a lot of talented artists, and while some tracks may be familiar (Gentle Giant's Aspirations, for instance), there are several tracks that are unique to this project, including a special version of the King's Prayer by the Flower Kings. Standout songs are Frank Van Essen's Labyrinth, Iona's Man live in Tokyo, Dave Bainbridge's In the Wake of Colmcille, Jeff Johnson's I'll Look for You, and Karnataka's After the Rain. Here's the complete track list:
CD 1
1. David Fitzgerald - Columba Aspexit
2. Eden's Bridge - Open Sea
3. Troy Donockley - Sights
4. Dave Bainbridge - In the Wake of Colmcille*
5. Peter Fairclough - Shepherd Wheel
6. The Flower Kings - A Kings Prayer*
7. Joanne Hogg - Brightest and Best
8. Nick Beggs - For Luca*
9. Mae McKenna - The Whistlin' Gypsy Rover
10. Frank van Essen - Esther*
11. IONA - Beijing (The Widescreen Remix)*
12. Jeff Johnson - I'll Look for You
13. Debbie Bainbridge - Starlit Garden*
CD2
1. Karnataka - After The Rain
2. Rick Wakeman - Morning Has Broken
3. Terl Bryant - My Song is Love Unknown
4. Frank van Essen - Labyrinth*
5. Julie Tippetts - Lament
6. IONA - Man (Live in Tokyo 2001)*
7. Adrian Snell - Like Father, Like Son
8. Maire Brennan - Misty Eyed Adventures
9. Nick Beggs - Forever in my Heart*
10. Gentle Giant - Aspirations
11. Mae McKenna - Ca' the Ewes
12. Dave Bainbridge & David Fitzgerald - Open My Eyes - Reprise (Live
in Norwich)*
13. Debbie Bainbridge - Bright Flame*
* unreleased songs or versions of songs
For the price of a regular CD, you get over two hours of fantastic music, and you help support a great cause. You can order it directly from http://iona.uk.com or else from http://www.goldusa.com. {dt}
From Silence (Dave Bainbridge and Troy Donockley)
Reviewed by Dave Taylor, 5-26-05
If you grew up in the 1970's, you probably remember when artists like Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream, and flautist Paul Horn were considered progressive rock. Today, they would probably be labeled as New Age music, or some other such title. The fact of the matter is that there were lots of creative and improvisational artists who's music was more on the mellow side, that were just as enjoyed as their more up tempo progressive cousins such as Yes. Although From Silence isn't exactly a rock album, it will still transport you somewhere sonically that few records can. Paul Horn, if you remember, was the flautist that recorded albums of solo flute playing recorded inside of such fabulous places as the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramid, where ambience is everything. This album is very similar. From Silence is Iona alums Dave Bainbridge on electric guitars, bazouki and keyboards, and Troy Donockley on whistles, Uilleann pipes, and acoustic guitar, recorded alone in historic Lincoln Cathedral, improvising an hour of spontaneous Celtic-influenced instrumental music. The sonic quality of this recording is fantastic, owing a lot to Dallas Simpson's unique binaural stereo mobile recording technique that renders the outstanding performance into a three-dimensional surround sound mix. This record is a treat to listen to on fine headphones, making you feel as though you were soaring around the cathedral yourself, hovering over the two musicians as they let their fingers dance songs of reverence on their instruments. It's amazing to realize that this album was improvised and recorded live with no overdubs, with no pre-rehearsed themes. Troy and Dave have captured a special musical event, when the muse, the emotion, the expression that issued forth came from the spirit rather than the mind, where joy poured out in fresh new songs that could only be created by two musicians with15 years of improvising together. The songs sound borne aloft by the thousands of prayers that have filled that cathedral over the years, and if you listen close, you can almost hear the angels joining them in ecstatic melody. Highly recommended. {dt}
When World's Collide (Troy Donockley and Dave Bainbridge)
(Reviewed By Dave Taylor, 1/3/07)
Troy Donockley and Dave Bainbridge, the chief musical forces behind the stellar Celtic prog rock band Iona, have pieced together a little gem of a side project together. It was released to the world with little fanfare, as is the occasional fate of such projects. Fortunately for us, it’s readily available from Open Sky Records, Bainbridge’s independent label, and you should definitely give it a go.
This is more or less an acoustic project, with some new arrangements of traditional folk tunes mixed with some Iona songs, Donockley songs, and a couple of new instrumentals. Troy and Dave have been doing gigs together as a duo over the last several years in between Iona projects. When World's Collide, a fine blend of studio and live performances put together in their spare time, is the result. Quite a few of the tunes were either arranged or penned by Troy, and he shows off his virtuosity on everything from guitars, bouzouki, keyboards, Uilleann pipes, low whistles, and hand drums, to some nice vocals. Dave plays his usual guitars and keyboards, and the two musicians blend perfectly in that way which only those whom have played together so often over the years truly can. Together they have crafted a subtle and pleasurable record that has quickly become one of my favorite late evening indulgences.
The traditional tunes include several instrumentals, as well as the mythological tale of The Great Silkie of Sules Skerry, about a shape-shifting seal man. The title track, Troy’s When World’s Collide, is an interesting tune, with questioning lyrics that seem to be about struggles with faith or the adulation of the world. The live version of Edge of the World, sung by Troy, is a delight, and it really brings out the beautiful lyrics of Joanne Hogg’s melancholy song of ancient longing. Bainbridge's emotive guitar solo near the end show's off his amazing versatility. Also, his reinterpretation of his Bi-Se Mo Shuil Part 1 is fantastic, an acoustic guitar piece that highlights his skills. I can't get enough of Unconscious, where Dave’s classically trained piano abilities really shine. Most people think of him foremost as a guitarist, but he had the same piano teacher as Asia/The Buggle’s Geoff Downes, and he could easily make his living playing keys, as he used to do prior to the formation of Iona. It's an amazing piece that everyone I've played the album for makes much of, and it certainly makes me long for a Dave Bainbridge solo piano record, which I would be first in line for. Concious follows, a shimmering instrumental with echoes of Iona. The John Renbourn guitar piece The Blacksmith is aptly played by Troy, who's a fine guitarist in his own right, then Dave takes over with a traditional folk tune called Banish Misfortune, and then it's back to Troy with Merrily Kiss the Quaker, as they trade off licks while accompanying one another. It’s all beautiful stuff. Finally, the album concludes with Tunnels, another live tune originally on Troy’s solo album, The Unseen Stream. Troy performs on vocals, pipes, and the Tofran, a drum custom designed by former Iona drummer Terl Bryant that is similar to a bodhran, with tambourine elements and a powerfully deep sound. Dave accompanies on keyboards and electric guitar, and it’s hard to believe that all those rich sounds are coming from only two musicians.
The mix of songs on When World's Collide is never stagnant, with acoustic pieces wrapped around more ethereal instrumental bits, vocal songs interspersed with reels, and it makes for a grand listening experience while you chill out in the evening or as you work. No fan of Celtic folk music, or of Iona, Dave Bainbridge, or Troy Donockley should be without it. Go to http://www.iona.uk.com for more information.
Songs for Luca 2 is another brilliant compilation album put together by Dave Bainbridge of Iona to raise support for his autistic son Luca's expensive treatment, the Son-Rise Program from the Autism Treatment Center of America. Almost two hours of exceptional chill-out music, Volume 2 is a double album crammed full of wonderful tunes donated by an eclectic set of artists, many of them exclusive, including guest appearances by Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings, Phil Keaggy, Dave Beegle (Fourth Estate) Iona, Moya Brennan (Clannad), Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn), and many other intriguing guests. It is a fantastic mix of ethereal instrumentals and emotional ballads from mellow to the more progressive side of things.
On disc one, the reworking of the Iona song Journey into the Morn with Roine Stolt guesting on guitars is a wonderful twist, as is Dave Bainbridge and Phil Keaggy performing a guitar duet on the evocative song Across the Sea. It is definitely a teaser for Dave and Phils rumored album of guitar duets. The CPROG band Soulful Terrain (CPR Volume 2) adds a nice guitar heavy fusion piece, with Dave Bainbridge guesting on keyboards. Kenso, a fantastic Japanese prog band adds the smoking live instrumental, A Winter in Hokkaido. Aradhna is a unique fusion of Indian and American culture, and their otherworldly song Rahim Dhaga is a real delight. Many of the unique artists on here are a revelation.
Disc two starts off with a fresh mix of Bird of Heaven, one of the standout tracks from Iona's Beyond These Shores album. Besides Joanne Hogg, there are several tracks from other exceptional female singers on the disc, including Lisa Fury of Chasing the Monsoon, Rachel Taylor-Beales, Mae McKenna of Karnataka, Deborah Martin, and Heather Findlay of Mostly Autumn. They are all gorgeous, and you'll be swiftly seeking out more music from their respective recordings. Dave's wife Debbie also contributes two lovely tracks, one solo piano, and another where she also plays the recorder. The album closes with an absolutely smashing instrumental duet jam session with Nick Fletcher and Dave Bainbridge called Red Sun.
I can tell you a little about the origin of the song Luca by Theophonic Cloud, as it was written especially for Dave's son by my wife and I. The lyrics and melody came to me in a dream on morning in 2006. Collette was really taken by the piece, and by Luca and his predicament, so she then fleshed out the music on her piano a few weeks later, modifying the chorus a tad. We recorded the piano, hand drums, and her vocals in our living room. Pressed for time, since I was leaving for England and then Africa in a week, I then sent that off to my good friend, maestro Bob Lynn of Gracenotes Studios in Portland, Oregon, where he fleshed the track out with additional instruments and mixed it for us. I was then able to present the song to Dave and Luca in England last fall, and we feel honored that he chose to include it on the disc.
Usually compilations albums are filled with hit and miss songs, and for whatever reason seldom get repeat performances on my CD player. Songs For Luca 2 is a huge exception. It is a lush, visual feast of songs divinely orchestrated into a cohesive blend of soothing and inspirational tracks, and all my friends that I have played it for have remarked so. With the money going to a cause well worth supporting, how can you lose? Order a copy (or two) today through the Iona website at http://www.iona.uk.com . {DT}
Track list:
CD1
*1. Moya Brennan - Eirigh Suas a Stoirin
2. Dave Beegle - Big Fish Rumba
*3. Joanne Hogg - Journey into the Morn (new version)
(features Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings on guitars, Joanne Hogg and
Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn) - vocals, Dave Bainbridge - keyboards, Nick
Beggs (Kajagoogoo / John Paul Jones etc),
Bass guitar, Frank van Essen - drums)
*4. Troy Donockley & Dave Bainbridge - 'A Stor Mo Chroi'
*5. Martyn Joseph - Strange Kind of Friend
*6. Soulful Terrain - Lost For You
7. Kenso - A Winter in
Hokkaido (Bifuka) .
*8. Joanne Hogg - I Ask no Dream
*9.
Keith Baker - Asilomar Sunrise
*10. Dave Bainbridge & Phil Keaggy - Across the Sea
*11. Aradhna - Rahim Dhaga
12. Eureka - Arabesque - from 'The Full Circle'
*13. Richard
John Thompson - Excuses to Fall
*14. Debbie Bainbridge - In Your Arms
*15. Invisible Opera Company of Tibet - Dreaming
CD2
*1. Iona - Bird of Heaven (2007 remix).
*2. Nick Beggs - Do Wot you Want
*3. Chasing the Monsoon - Circles of Stone
*4. Troy Donockley - Hymn to the Sea (Donockley)
*5. Nick Fletcher - Silver Moon
6. Rachel Taylor-Beales - Super Glue
*7. Debbie Bainbridge - Sacred Space
*8. Mostly Autumn - Winter is King
*9. David Fitzgerald with Dave Bainbridge - O Euchari
*10. Mae McKenna & Dave Bainbridge - A Prayer
11. Deborah Martin - The Brilliance of Stars
*12. Joanne Hogg - Almighty Father who Dost Give
*13. Guillermo Cides & Emmett Chapman - Out of the Etherp.
*14. Theophonic Cloud - Luca
*15. Nick Fletcher & Dave Bainbridge - Red Sun.
*unreleased track or version
Here
Adrian Belew, guitarist for King Crimson, Talking Heads, Frank Zappa and others, sings about Jesus, the environment, skin-heads and old Dutch dog doo while doing his patented twang-bar guitar thing on this masterful pop/prog album. From what I hear (I'm related to his wife's cousin), Adrian is somewhat of a believer, and he has produced a couple of Christian artists the last few years (Jars of Clay, Rick Altizer). He has more solo albums out that are great, and his work with King Crimson should definitely be explored. He also plays guitar on an album by CCM artist Kevin Max (DC Talk), Stereotype B, along with famed bass great Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Liquid Tension Experiment). {dt}
Extreme Spirituals (06)
Avant-garde progressive band Birdsongs of the Mesozoic has teamed up with bass/baritone black spiritual legend Oral Moses for a unique experiment in progressiveness called Extreme Spirituals, available from Cuniform Records. It is a truly progressive mix of traditional black gospel fused with virtuosic jazz/rock/orchestral instrumentation, and the juxtaposition of styles is quite captivating. Birdsong's adventurous yet musical interpretations of the original backing music for classics such as I'm a Rollin', Swing Low Sweet Chariot, A Little More Faith in Jesus, and Wayfaring Stranger are unlike anything you've ever heard. The uniquely American songs were all birthed out the deeply spiritual hearts of the hard working folks of African descent passing the time in the plantations and cotton fields of the south in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Moses' deep voice and passion resonates like the very rocks crying out as he embodies the spirit behind each powerful track. For more information, visit http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/bandshtml/birdsongs.html [DT]
Tumbling Ground
Kevin Prosch's band with former Iona drummer Martin Neil is excellent, and has great percussive and tripped out elements like the spacey proggish song Come To Me. The rest isn't really prog but more roots rock for the most part . The way Prosch uses metaphor in his lyrics is thought provoking, and songs like Love is All You Need are classic groove rock. I also recommend Kevin's Kiss the Son (folk-prog-worship) and Journey's of Life (spontaneous world music worship) albums, which both contain prog elements in a worship music setting. You can find them at http://www.kevinprosch.com The live Black Peppercorns video is excellent! God loves to groove! {dt}
Bullies at the Border (08)
Rush fans rejoice - you must get this album! PJ Bostic, AKA as Paul Roraback has channeled Rush, Tool, Yes, and King's X into a fantastically rocking heavy prog album. Roraback was once the drummer for talented and popular Christian heavy progressive band Grammatrain. After the band's demise, he became a member of Gideon's Press (which became the Illustrated Band), and then worked with guitar legend Monte Montgomery and as the drum tech for power drummer Terry Bozzio. Now his alter-ego, PJ Bostic, lets loose on some guitar heavy prog delights. Sounding for all the world like a power trio, Bullies at the Border, highlights Roraback's talented skin pounding, as well as his guitar playing and singing abilities. The title track Bullies at the Border and tunes such as Religion and Once Again set the tone like lost Moving Pictures tracks, as Roraback sings about false prophets, faith and redemption. On Ocean, he sings lovingly about one of his children. Heartbeat in Your Hands has some kickass bass playing and shows off Roraback's solid chops.
This is an album that's been getting as much time in my player as the new King's X, and that's saying a lot! Check out his music and purchase individual tracks here: http://www.myspace.com/pjbostic
ST/ Stories (06)
Stories
One day I’ll have to find out who or what a “Brighteye Brison” is -- probably a fictional character. In any case, it’s now in use by a Swedish progressive rock formation from the stable of Narnia singer Christian Rivel. One of his collaborators in Narnia, Linus Kåse, plays with Rivel in Flagship, but with Brighteye Brison, it's two Kåse brothers, Linus and Daniel, with whom he's formed a band. The 2006 release Stories is their second CD, and I think it’s delicious. Their eponymous debut got them a release on the Rivel label, but although excellent in the instrumental department and promising in the song writing, some compositions were still somewhat uneven and suffered some weaknesses in the vocal department. With these issues largely solved, Stories contains a range of fine progressive rock tracks in the ‘old school’ vein. Hearing Stories made me run off to the record store to pick up a copy of the prog classic See See the Sun by the Dutch prog monument Kayak. But those who appreciate Van der Graaf Generator, and Hackett-era Genesis, will probably also like Brighteye Brison. The musicians are very capable, throwing in pinches of jazz, Americana, and rock into a tasteful retro-prog brew. As far as I can see, the lyrics are about all kinds of daily experiences, reflected on from the perspective of meaning. There are sound samples on their website http://www.brighteyebrison.com if you care to check them out. {Bart Cusveller]
Anomia; Until Then.. (01)
King Crimson-like prog band with Christian slanted lyrics and a talented guitarist. The second album is supposed to be much better than the first one. I've only heard some sound clips, and they can be heard at: http://artists2.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Blink_of_an_eye/ {dt}
Psalms; Beauty as Far as the Eye Can See
Iona's former drummer shines on his two somewhat mellow progressive jazz-fusion worship albums. Psalms is the better of the two, due to better vocalists like Joanne Hogg of Iona and Stewart Gerrard from Delirious. It is sure to please fans of Iona. New arrangements of worship songs intermix with upbeat instrumentals and Celtic instrumentation. BAFATECS is more jazzy, and Terl's wife sings on most of it. She is pleasant, but no Joanne. Look for the new USA compilation CD called Timbrel. You can pick it up cheap in many places. You can find Terl's and other Iona related stuff at: http://208.13.0.1/users/bigmusic/ {dt}