Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla – 40 years after the Vision Band
Almost 40 years ago Joe O’Donnell recorded his epic album ‘Gaodhal’s Vision’. The album draws on Celtic mythology and describes the Milesian exodus from Egypt through the Carpathian Mountains to Ireland. This parallels historical accounts describing the possible movement of early Celts from Asia Minor to Western Europe including Ireland.
With Joe on ‘Gaodhal’s Vision’ were guitarists Rory Gallagher (Taste) and Steve Bolton (Atomic Rooster), drummer Theodor Thunder (Alan Price Band), David Lennox (Ginger Baker, Blodwyn Pig, The Equals) on keyboards and Bill Smith (Long John Baldry, Leo Sayer) on bass. The album also featured orchestral arrangements by Joe, and was released with help from Tubular Bells producer Tom Newman and Jon Field (Jade Warrior).
Follow this link for the 2004 Digital version re-issued by Sony/ BMG
Joe O’Donnell’s Vision Band
After the album came out in 1977 Joe toured a live version without orchestra, known as the Vision Band. In preparation for the album’s 40th anniversary, Joe is reviving much of the material with Shkayla. The band has now begun incorporating it into their live set, with dynamic effect.
Here is ‘The Battle’, one of the album’s true high points, being played live for the first time in over 10 years, at The Albany Club in Coventry. in April 2016