If you're a fan of Troy's playing and the prospect of a more laid-back and classical Iona style music appeals to you, then Messages is something you will undoubtedly enjoy. It is an album of subtle beauty, which portrays Troy's amazing ability of touching our hearts with both the simplest and more complicated compositions. Messages might be a “mere” compilation, but as far as compilations go, this one really is a keeper!

9 out of 10 - The Rockologist

£9.99 UK (inc. post & packing)

£10:99 Rest of World (inc. post & packing)

MESSAGES

Tracks

1. SIGHTS (from The Unseen Stream)
2. FOR HIM WHO WILL NEVER RETURN (New & Unreleased)
3. NOW VOYAGER (from The Madness of Crowds)
4. FRAGMENT (from The Pursuit of Illusion)
5. ORKAHAUGR (from The Madness of Crowds)
6. FINLANDIA (from The Unseen Stream)
7. DUNMAIL RISING (New & Unreleased)
8. PURSUIT OF ILLUSION (from The Pursuit of Illusion)
9. TUNNELS (from The Unseen Stream)
10. THE PROCESSION (from The Madness of Crowds)

Musicians

• Troy Donockley / Uillean Pipes, Low Whistles, Tin Whistles, Vocals, Portuguese Mandola, Keyboards, Percussion, Guitars, Bouzouki, Harmonium, Atmospheres
• Nick Beggs
• Rosie Biss
• Terl Bryant
• Nollaig Casey
• Julie Darling
• Barbara Dickson
• Neil Drinkwater
• Andy Duncan
• The Emperor String Quartet
• Heather Findlay
• Tim Harries
• Joanne Hogg
• Nick Holland
• Peter Knight
• Brad Lang
• Chris Redgate
• Duncan Rayson
• Olivia Sparnenn
• Frank Van Essen
• York Cantores Choir

Pursuit Of Illusion is indeed primarily an instrumental album with several of the tracks having enormous soundtrack quality in their sound. In addition to Joanne Hogg's vocal contributions, Troy was also ably assisted by Iona members past and present including Terl Bryant (drums, percussion) and Nigg Beggs (chapman stick).A variety of other guests contributed strings and woodwinds while the York Cantores provide choir parts to several of the tracks.
We especially appreciated the Celtic touches across the album in strings, percussion and woodwinds and made note of the tremendous whistle melodies that Troy is long known for. The choir parts are equally lovely and work perfectly in Troy's compositions. Troy's own vocal work is equally delightful; it in fact joins oboe, choir and organ in the thematic opening number "Conscious."

Musical Discoveries

£9:99 UK (inc. post & packing)

£10:99 Rest of World (inc. post & packing)

Pursuit of Illusion

Tracks

1. Conscious
2. The Pursuit of Illusion
3. Little Window
4. Floating World
5. A Bridge
6. Fragment
7. Colour of the Door (Part 1)
8. Colour of the Door (Part 2)

Musicians

• York Cantores Chamber Choir / chorus vocals
• Joanne Hogg / vocals
• Duncan Rayson / organ
• Neil Drinkwater / grand piano
• Peter Knight / violins
• Christopher Redgate / oboe
• Nick Beggs / Chapman Stick
• Terl Bryant / percussion
• Andy Duncan / Tibetan drum & vocals
• Emperor String Quartet
• Clare Hayes / violin
• Martin Burgess / violin
• Fiona Bonds / viola
• William Schofield / cello