Period: 1999-2001

History: 1999-2001

May '99   /  'Woven Chord' with the All Souls Orchestra May sees the new line-up and the first gig since the sabbatical. The 'Woven Chord' concert is performed in London with the All Souls Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
June '99 - November '99   /  Studio Time / 'Woven Cord' Mixed A very busy time in the studio. Soon after the succesful 'Woven Cord' concert with the All Soul's Orchestra, work begins on piecing together material from the concert for the 'Woven Cord' album. Pic shows Nigel Palmer backstage recording the Festival Hall concert (May 1999).

After a few months of editing, mixing takes place with Calum Malcolm at Castle studio near Edinburgh in August. Meanwhile, writing of material for what is to become the 'Open Sky' album is happening concurrently.

August '99 - September '99   /  Switzerland & Holland Festivals A few festival appearances in Europe (Switzerland and Holland). The Switzerland festival is memorable for the band playing during a thunder storm, complete with torrential rain and towels on the equipment in a vain attempt to keep it dry!
October '99 - March '00   /  'Woven Cord' Released The 'Woven Cord' album is released on the Alliance label. Forefront in the US delay release until March of the following year.
November '99 - March '00   /  'Open Sky' Recorded Recording of the 'Open Sky' album, largely at Chapel Studios in the heart of rural Lincolnshire. The band breaks off in December to play at a concert in aid of Amnesty International in Germany.
May '00   /  'Open Sky' Released Release of 'Open Sky' coincides with a UK tour.
July '00   /  More UK Dates Further UK dates, including at a Millennium celebration in the spectacular surroundings of Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire.
November '00   /  First Switzerland Tour The band's first actual tour in Switzerland is very well attended and well received. Jean-Daniel Lerber, the tour's promoter becomes the band's tour agent for the whole of mainland Europe.
December '00   /  Holland Dates Concerts in Holland. Nick Beggs fills in for Phil, who is unable to get out of a prior commitment.
February '01   /  First Concerts in Japan Iona's first ever concert dates in Japan organised by The Music Plant. The band are overwhelmed by the audience response each night, and the fact that many people are already familiar with the band's music. An acoustic 'welcome' evening in a small club sees the whole audience coming to chat to the band and have their cds signed afterwards! Over a traditional Japanese meal, Joanne announces the joyous news that she is pregnant - and suffering very bad morning sickness.
History by Album:
Iona  ('90)
The Book Of Kells  ('92)
Beyond These Shores  ('93)
Journey Into The Morn  ('96)
Heaven's Bright Sun  ('97)
Woven Cord  ('99)
Open Sky  ('00)
The River Flows: Anthology Vol. 1  ('02)
Songs for Luca  ('03)
Veil of Gossamer  ('04)
Iona  ('04)
The Circling Hour  ('06)
Live In London  ('06)
Songs for Luca 2  ('07)
Live In London  ('08)
Life Journey  ('09)
Raphael's Journey  ('10)
Another Realm  ('11)