The Book of Kells is a progressive rock

Progressive rock

Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...

 album by Iona

Iona (band)

Iona is the name of a progressive Celtic rock band from the United Kingdom, which was formed in the late 1980s by lead vocalist Joanne Hogg and multi-instrumentalists David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge....

. Released in 1992.
The Book of Kells, an 8th century manuscript filled with lush pictures illustrating the Gospels, possibly originating from the monastery at Iona

Iona

Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...

.

Again the recording process moved round the country for suitable facilities:

• Wildlife Studio, Ipswich - (Engineer Nigel Palmer)
• Studio 2, Leeds - (Engineer Rob Price)
• Kensington Temple Church - (Engineer Nigel Palmer) for the Heavenly Hosts

The recording was remastered for the 2002 release The River Flows: Anthology

The River Flows

The River Flows: Anthology Vol. 1 is a progressive rock 4 CD album by Iona. Released in 2002. It is a Box Set collection of their first three studio albums with some re-recording and a fourth disc is a collection of additional material from throughout the years...

and later re-released on Open Sky Records

Open Sky Records

Open Sky Records is the company used to record and distribute the music of Iona. The record label is normally referred to as Open Sky.- Artists:* Iona* Dave Bainbridge* Donockley/Bainbridge* Bainbridge/Fitzgerald...

 as a standalone album.

Band

• Joanne Hogg
  Joanne Hogg
  Joanne Hogg is an Irish singer and songwriter for the band Iona.-Biography:Hogg was born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and is best known as the lead singer and songwriter with the Christian progressive Celtic/pop/rock band Iona . Her father is a Presbyterian minister, her mother a nurse; her...
  
   - Vocals, Keyboards
• Dave Bainbridge
  Dave Bainbridge
  Dave Bainbridge is a keyboard player and guitarist who with Dave Fitzgerald co-founded the Christian progressive and Celtic folk themed band Iona.-Biography:...
  
   - Keyboards, Guitar, Chimes
• Nick Beggs
  Nick Beggs
  Nick Beggs is a British musician, noted for playing the bass guitar and the Chapman Stick; he is a member of Kajagoogoo and formerly Iona and Ellis, Beggs, & Howard.-Personal life:...
  
   - Chapman stick, Bass guitar, Small Cymbals
• Terl Bryant
  Terl Bryant
  Terl Bryant is a drummer and percussionist who has worked with a wide range of artists and contributed to many top flight recordings to much critical acclaim...
  
   - Drums, Percussion
• Dave Fitzgerald
  Dave Fitzgerald
  Dave Fitzgerald is a woodwind player who plays saxophones , flutes, whistles and clarinet. With Dave Bainbridge he co-founded the influential Christian progressive and Celtic folk themed band Iona...
  
   - Saxophone, Flageolets, Flute, Piccolo, Chinese Flutes, Dizi, Suona

Additional Musicians and Special Guests

• Frank van Essen
  Frank Van Essen
  Frank van Essen is a drummer and violinist who plays in celtic folk themed band Iona.-Biography:Born in The Netherlands in 1967 and from a musical family. He took up drumming at the age of 15. Married with Marlou.-Musical career:...
  
   - Drums, Percussion, Violin
• Troy Donockley
  Troy Donockley
  Troy Donockley is an English composer and multi-instrumentalist most known for his playing of uillean pipes.- Early life and career :...
  
   - Uilleann pipes, Low Whistles
• Fiona Davidson - Celtic Harp
• Peter Whitfield - Ensemble Violins, Viola
• Kensington Temple Church congregation - Heavenly Hosts

Track listing

• Disc - Total Time 72:21

1. Kells Opening Theme – 4:18
2. Revelation – 4:38
3. Mathew-The Man – 11:54
4. Chi-Rho – 4:39
5. Mark-The Lion – 3:29
6. The River Flows – 5:01
7. Luke-The Calf – 4:03
8. Virgin and Child – 3:16
9. Temptation – 4:34
10. The Arrest-Gethsemane – 3:49
11. Trinity-The Godhead – 6:09
12. John-The Eagle – 4:15
13. Kells – 5:29
14. Eternity-No Beginning No End – 6:47

Release Details

• 1992, UK, What Records WHAR 1287, Release Date ? ? 1992, LP
• 1992, UK, What Records WHAD 1287, Release Date ? ? 1992, CD
• 1992, UK, What Records WHAC 1287, Release Date ? ? 1992, Cassette
• 1992, USA, Forefront Records FFD-3001, Release Date ? ? 1992, CD
• 2003, UK, Open Sky Records OPENVP2CD, Release Date 3 November 2003, CD