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VEIL OF GOSSAMER
Track list: Chanting Waves (2:17);
Over The Waters (7:29); Veil Of Gossamer (4:56); The Seen And The Unseen (2:17); The Everlasting Hills (19:47); Seahouses (3:06); Until The Tide Turns (4:30); The Homeward Race (5:26); Star Filled Skies (14:49)
In case you didn't know Dave Bainbridge is the co founder and guitarist/keyboardist of Iona and this is his first solo album. Dave plays many instruments himself but is also ably assisted by an array of current
and former members of Iona including Joanne Hogg (vocals), Troy Donockley (pipes and whistles), Frank Van Essen (drums and violins) plus bass players Tim Harries and Nick Beggs. Other notable names include Mae
McKenna on lead vocals and on backing vocals Rachel Jones from Karnataka.
It's been a long while since the last Iona album because of Joanne Hogg's happily expanding family and this album of course is very much in the same vein. Although largely instrumental with only around four
pieces featuring lead vocals as such, much of the music is augmented by Mae, Joanne and Rachel's vocal loop textures giving the music a serene and tranquil atmosphere that gives me goosebumps every time.
Beginning with 'Chanting Waves', Mae's Gaelic vocal sets the scene combined with solo cello and sounds of rain as waves of strong keyboards build to a crescendo in the background. 'Over The Waves' picks up the
pace, an instrumental piece in a similar vein to Iona's 'Flight Of The Wild Goose' or 'Woven Cord'. Tim Harries carves out a Squirean bass line as Dave's lead guitar weaves it's magic and builds to some
euphoric highs and quieter tranquil interludes.
The title track itself 'Veil' is another instrumental piece of quiet reflective beauty featuring piano, cello, violins, Troy's tin whistle plus Jo's 'ethereal voices'. Meanwhile there are two pastoral acoustic guitar pieces 'The Seen And The Unseen' and 'Seahouses' the latter written by Dave while he was on holiday in that north eastern coastal town near Lindisfarne.
'The Everlasting Hills' is a lengthy symphonic epic split into five parts on the cd program but should certainly be listened to as one continuous piece of music.
Perhaps I should note that by symphonic I don't mean that it has an orchestra on it but rather that it is made up of a number of musical movements. Frank's violin begins the piece and introduces the main theme that reappears later on in different forms and on other instruments. Mae's vocal takes the centre stage once more in part two joined by Troy's pipes and whistles while part three features more acoustic guitar work, cello and wordless vocals plus some wonderful church organ sounding keys. Part four features mainly some exquisite classical piano from Dave himself and part five is the upbeat climax with the main theme repeated with lush vocals and finally ends quietly as it began.
'Until The Tide Turns' features Joanne on lead vocals, a beautiful Iona-esque ballad this one with strong input from Troy's Uillieann pipes and some tasty fretless bass from Nick Beggs.
'The Homeward Race' is another electric guitar led almost jazz rock work out based around Frank's energetic percussion. Bass and drums power away while Dave blasts out some marvellous lead guitar runs. Finally another biggie - 'Star Filled Skies' features Dave playing no less than 14 different instruments. More Gaelic vocals from Mae with Celtic interludes and building to one of those pipes and guitar unison runs that Dave and Troy do so well.
With superb sound quality and production values Dave has worked hard on this tremendous album which is an obvious essential purchase for all Iona fans and should equally appeal to those who are fans of for example
Karnataka and Mostly Autumn.
As with Iona's albums the lyrical theme is centered around an ancient Christian legend which even to a non believer such as myself somehow adds so much power and feeling into the music. The lyrics and music combined reach out for the mystical and for meaning while creating a sense of wonder and well being for the listener who is prepared to take the time and really 'listen'.
Steve 17/07/2004
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