IONA has forged new directions in Celtic music since 1986. Having traced the roots of our ancestors, physically and musically, we’ve learned that some of the richest material is to be found on our own (US) shores. Through evolutions of wonderful musi [+]IONA has forged new directions in Celtic music since 1986. Having traced the roots of our ancestors, physically and musically, we’ve learned that some of the richest material is to be found on our own (US) shores. Through evolutions of wonderful musicians and friends, all of whom have led our steps in more and more challenging directions, IONA continues to grow and prosper. A Celebration of Twenty is a thank you to all those who have enhanced and appreciated our music. What an incredible journey it’s been... IONA in 2006 is: co-founders Barbara Tresidder Ryan (lead vocals, Celtic bouzouki, guitars, bodhrán and tambourine) and Bernard Argent (wooden flute, whistles, doumbek, vocals, shakers and bombarde) since 1986, Chuck Lawhorn (bass guitars, vocals and low whistles) since 2001, and Andrew Dodds (fiddle) since 2004; and was: Barbara Seymour, flute, whistles, guitar and vocals (1986 - 89), Alan Oresky, fiddle (1987 - 89), Diana McFadden, cello, mandolin and bouzouki (1991 - 98), Mary Fitzgerald, Celtic harp and vocals (1998 - 99), Bob Mitchell, Highland and Scottish small pipes (1998 - 2003), Nick Smiley, double bass, mandolin, bouzouki and vocals (1999 - 2001) Susan Walmsley (Hyams) on feet (2000 - 2004) and Ian Lawther, pipes great and small, concertina, whistles, clogging (2003 - 2004). Disk 1 - NEW GROWTH 1. The Emigrant’s Song/Saltash/Kelenn(Holly Tree)Cornish trad 3:00 Thanks to Dalla, we found this song of an American returned to the homeland, which we sing in shape note style. Two traditional Cornish tunes evolve from the song, one a dance tune, the other a Christmas carol. 2. The Ash Plant/The Bean Sídhe(Banshee)/Brenda Stubbert’s Reel (Jerry Holland)/Concertina Reel Irish trad/Cape Breton 3:54 Andrew’s Blazin’ at Beauly workshops in Scotland are treasure troves for our repertoire! He rips through this basically Irish set, joined by Bernard on a side trip to Cape Breton on Brenda Stubbert’s... 3. Laridenn/V'la le bon vent (It’s a good wind)/Lexie McAskill Breton/Québécois/Scottish trad 3:52 A Breton dance tune leads to a popular Québécois song accompanied by Barbara on bottine souriante (traditional foot rhythm), and culminates in a wild Scottish reel. The song, reputed to have been sung notably by lumberjacks, is of Breton origin. It describe
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