Alan Simon (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alan Simon is a French folk-rock musician and composer best known for his rock opera
s which are performed with collaboration from other noted rock musicians. Simon is associated with Breton Celticism, and his most ambitious works are typically on themes linked to Celtic myth and history. Simon has also branched out into film-making.
, spending his early years in the moorlands of Goulaine
. He left school at 15 to travel the world, supporting himself in a variety of trades. From 1979 to 1992 he lived in Asia. He also travelled twice around the world, financed by photographic work, journalism and musical performances. He also marketed his songs to rock musicians, having some success and building up contacts before he achieved fame.
He currently resides near Nantes.
, Albert Dupontel
and Nilda Fernandez
.
(Supertramp
), Fairport Convention
, Dan Ar Braz
, Tri Yann
, Angelo Branduardi
, Didier Lockwood
, Gabriel Yacoub
. Within weeks, the album went gold in France (Top 10). Five concert performances took place between October 1999 and June 2000, including one at Paris-Bercy. A live recording, released as Excalibur, le concert mythique ("Excalibur, the legendary concert") (CD and DVD) was recorded at the first performance in Rennes, October 12, 1999.
In 2003, he created GAIA (Universal / BMG / Sony), a humanitarian concept album
dealing with the preservation of the environment and for which many artists responded to the call: Midnight Oil
, Justin Hayward
of The Moody Blues
, Zucchero
, Jane Birkin
, Cesaria Evora
, Billy Preston
and others. GAIA, was played before 60,000 spectators in Zurich in early 2004. The album entered the Top five in Australia. He also published his first book, Gaia, carnets secrets de la planète bleue, published by Editions du Seuil in March 2003, which was a success in Switzerland and Belgium.
In 2004, he composed the song I have a dream for the anti-apartheid musical Sud Afrique. The group South African "Umoja" also performed Simon's song "The Way".
In 2005 Simon directed his first feature film, O Genghis which traces the odyssey of the last nomadic Mongol descendants of Genghis Khan. This film was shot in Russia and Asia (with contributions by Jean Reno
and Omar Sharif
). O Genghis was released in 20 countries and has been broadcast many times on Canal +.
Fascinated by the return of the wolf to French territory, Alan Simon wrote the 2006 screenplay Mon frère le loup (My brother the wolf). The project remains unrealised.
's (Yes
), Alan Parsons
, Barclay James Harvest
, Maddy Prior
, Jacqui McShee
, John Wetton
(King Crimson
/ Asia
), Flook
, Karan Casey
, Fairport Convention
, Andreas Vollenweider
.
Simon's novel, Excalibur, le cercle de Dragon (Excalibur, the circle of Dragon), was released in March 2008. A second volume was published in October 2009 called Excalibur, la prophétie de Merlin (Excalibur, The prophecy of Merlin).
March 2008 the Prog Rock Hall of Fame (based in Memphis) gave Simon two awards: best music producer of the year (for Excalibur II) and best songwriter of the year (for the track Circle Of Life performed by Jon Anderson).
On May 25 and July 25, 2009 "Excalibur" was revived in Germany under the English language title Excalbur: the Celtic Rock Opera. It was performed in English with a German narration. It triumphed before 19,000 people at Castle Kaltenberg
. Faced with this surprising success, "Excalibur" toured throughout Germany and 100,000 spectators attended the Celtic rock opera reuniting nearly 160 musicians and almost as many technicians. A new tour is already scheduled for January 2011 across Europe.
The final part of the trilogy, Excalibur III The Origins (Excalibur III: The Origins), is due to be released in 2011.
, following the historical events that made her the last Duchess of independent Brittany and twice crowned queen of France. It was performed by Nilda Fernandez
, Tri Yann
, Barclay James Harvest, Fairport Convention, Pat O'May
, Cécile Corbel
(as Anne herself), Laurent Tixier, James Wood
and an ensemble of 200 musicians.
The Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes hosted the premiere of "Anne de Bretagne" 29 and June 30, 2009 to 6000 people. The live performance was released as a CD and DVD.
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
s which are performed with collaboration from other noted rock musicians. Simon is associated with Breton Celticism, and his most ambitious works are typically on themes linked to Celtic myth and history. Simon has also branched out into film-making.
Life
Simon was born in NantesNantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
, spending his early years in the moorlands of Goulaine
Château de Goulaine
The Château de Goulaine is a château of the Loire Valley located near Nantes, France. This castle has been home to the family of the marquis de Goulaine for over a thousand years...
. He left school at 15 to travel the world, supporting himself in a variety of trades. From 1979 to 1992 he lived in Asia. He also travelled twice around the world, financed by photographic work, journalism and musical performances. He also marketed his songs to rock musicians, having some success and building up contacts before he achieved fame.
He currently resides near Nantes.
Early work
At age 20 he wrote his first work, The Rebel Child, which won Grand Prize of the Society of Artists in France. In 1995, he composed his first musical story, Le Petit Arthur (Little Arthur) (Polygram), which became, three years later, one of the tools for learning the French language in Denmark. The story Les Enfants du Futur (The Children of the Future) (Walt Disney) was released in 1996 and brings together over 25 artists including Jean RenoJean Reno
Jean Reno is a French actor. Working in French, English, Spanish and Italian, he has appeared not only in numerous successful Hollywood productions such as The Pink Panther, Godzilla, The Da Vinci Code, Mission: Impossible, Ronin and Couples Retreat, but also in European productions such as the...
, Albert Dupontel
Albert Dupontel
Albert Dupontel is a French actor and film director. He started his career as a stand-up comedian...
and Nilda Fernandez
Nilda Fernandez
Nilda Fernández is a French-Spanish singer-songwriter.-1991 - Nilda Fernández:1. Entre Lyon et Barcelone2. Mes Yeux Dans Ton Regard3. Croisière Sur Le Nil4. Rendez-Vous Manqués5. L'invitation A Venise6. Nos Fiançailles7. Luisita...
.
Excalibur
Simon achieved fame with his rock opera Excalibur, La Légende des Celtes (Excalibur, The Legend of the Celts) (Sony) in 1999, of which he was both songwriter and producer. The first part of an intended trilogy, Excalibur blended musical styles and was performed by Roger HodgsonRoger Hodgson
Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman, and founding member, of progressive rock band Supertramp....
(Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
), Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
, Dan Ar Braz
Dan Ar Braz
Dan Ar Braz, born Daniel Le Bras , is a French guitarist and the founder of Héritage des Celtes.- The apprenticeship years :...
, Tri Yann
Tri Yann
Tri Yann is a French band from Nantes , who play folk rock music drawing on traditional Breton folk ballads.The band was founded in 1970 by Jean Chocun, Jean-Paul Corbineau and Jean-Louis Jossic – all of whom remain members – hence the suggested name of Tri Yann an Naoned , Jean and Yann being...
, Angelo Branduardi
Angelo Branduardi
Angelo Branduardi , is an Italian folk singer and composer who scored relevant success in Italy and European countries such as France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.- Biography :...
, Didier Lockwood
Didier Lockwood
Didier Lockwood is a French jazz violinist. He played in the progressive rock/jazz fusion band Magma in the 1970s and is known for his use of electric amplification and experimentation on different sounds on the electric violin....
, Gabriel Yacoub
Gabriel Yacoub
Gabriel Yacoub was born in Paris, of a Lebanese father and a French mother. He was a guitarist and singer with the Alan Stivell group that toured France in 1971. Before he founded Malicorne, Gabriel and Marie Yacoub recorded Pierre de Grenoble . Indeed this was originally intended to be the name of...
. Within weeks, the album went gold in France (Top 10). Five concert performances took place between October 1999 and June 2000, including one at Paris-Bercy. A live recording, released as Excalibur, le concert mythique ("Excalibur, the legendary concert") (CD and DVD) was recorded at the first performance in Rennes, October 12, 1999.
Gaia and other works
In the following year, Alan Simon collaborated with Roger Hodgson, former co-leader and co-founder of Supertramp on the album Open The Door. The album figured prominently in the rankings in France (Top 30), Spain (Top 5), Switzerland and Belgium. Simon wrote the last song on the album.In 2003, he created GAIA (Universal / BMG / Sony), a humanitarian concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
dealing with the preservation of the environment and for which many artists responded to the call: Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
, Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
of The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, Zucchero
Zucchero
Adelmo Fornaciari, Commander , more commonly known by his stage name Zucchero Fornaciari or simply Zucchero /ˈtsukkero/, is an Italian rock singer. His music is largely inspired by gospel, blues and rock music, and alternates between ballads and more rhythmic boogie-like pieces.Zucchero is the...
, Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin
Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE is an English-born actress and singer who lives in France. In recent years she has written her own album, directed a film and become an outspoken proponent of democracy in Burma.- Early life :...
, Cesaria Evora
Cesária Évora
Cesária Évora is a Cape Verdean popular singer. Nicknamed the "barefoot diva" for performing without shoes, Évora is perhaps the best internationally known practitioner of "morna."-Early life:...
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
and others. GAIA, was played before 60,000 spectators in Zurich in early 2004. The album entered the Top five in Australia. He also published his first book, Gaia, carnets secrets de la planète bleue, published by Editions du Seuil in March 2003, which was a success in Switzerland and Belgium.
In 2004, he composed the song I have a dream for the anti-apartheid musical Sud Afrique. The group South African "Umoja" also performed Simon's song "The Way".
In 2005 Simon directed his first feature film, O Genghis which traces the odyssey of the last nomadic Mongol descendants of Genghis Khan. This film was shot in Russia and Asia (with contributions by Jean Reno
Jean Reno
Jean Reno is a French actor. Working in French, English, Spanish and Italian, he has appeared not only in numerous successful Hollywood productions such as The Pink Panther, Godzilla, The Da Vinci Code, Mission: Impossible, Ronin and Couples Retreat, but also in European productions such as the...
and Omar Sharif
Omar Sharif
Omar Sharif is an Egyptian actor who has starred in Hollywood films including Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won two Golden Globe Awards.-Early life:...
). O Genghis was released in 20 countries and has been broadcast many times on Canal +.
Fascinated by the return of the wolf to French territory, Alan Simon wrote the 2006 screenplay Mon frère le loup (My brother the wolf). The project remains unrealised.
Excalibur extended
In 2007 he released the second part of "Excalibur", Excalibur II, l'anneau des Celtes ("Excalibur II, the ring of the Celts") with contributions from Jon AndersonJon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
's (Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
), Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons is a British audio engineer, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of several significant albums, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, as well as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon for which Pink Floyd credit him as an important contributor...
, Barclay James Harvest
Barclay James Harvest
Barclay James Harvest are an English progressive rock band. They were founded in Saddleworth, Lancashire, in September 1966 by John Lees, Les Holroyd, Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme , and Mel Pritchard .-History:...
, Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior is an English folk singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span.-Early life:...
, Jacqui McShee
Jacqui McShee
thumb|300px|right|Jacqui McShee performing with [[Pentangle]] at the 2007 [[BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards]]Jacqueline 'Jacqui' McShee is an English singer. Since 1966 she has performed with Pentangle, a jazz influenced folk rock band.-Biography:McShee's musical career began as a soloist in British folk...
, John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
(King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
/ Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
), Flook
Flook
Flook was an Anglo-Irish band playing traditional-style instrumental music, much of it penned by the band themselves. Their music is typified by extremely fast, sometimes percussive, flute and whistle atop complex guitar and bodhrán rhythms.-History:...
, Karan Casey
Karan Casey
Karan Casey is an Irish folk singer, and a former member of the Irish band Solas.-Early years:Casey was born in Ballyduff Lower, Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Ireland. Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she...
, Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
, Andreas Vollenweider
Andreas Vollenweider
Andreas Vollenweider is a Swiss musician. His music has been categorized as World Music, Jazz, New Age and even Classical; two of his albums were number 1 on the Billboard charts simultaneously in the categories Classical, Jazz, Pop and Crossover for more than 11 weeks. His music could be...
.
Simon's novel, Excalibur, le cercle de Dragon (Excalibur, the circle of Dragon), was released in March 2008. A second volume was published in October 2009 called Excalibur, la prophétie de Merlin (Excalibur, The prophecy of Merlin).
March 2008 the Prog Rock Hall of Fame (based in Memphis) gave Simon two awards: best music producer of the year (for Excalibur II) and best songwriter of the year (for the track Circle Of Life performed by Jon Anderson).
On May 25 and July 25, 2009 "Excalibur" was revived in Germany under the English language title Excalbur: the Celtic Rock Opera. It was performed in English with a German narration. It triumphed before 19,000 people at Castle Kaltenberg
Schloss Kaltenberg
The Schloss Kaltenberg is a castle located in the village of Geltendorf in Upper Bavaria, Germany. The castle was built in 1292 and is currently under the proprietorship of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, the great-grandson of the last king of Bavaria, Ludwig III....
. Faced with this surprising success, "Excalibur" toured throughout Germany and 100,000 spectators attended the Celtic rock opera reuniting nearly 160 musicians and almost as many technicians. A new tour is already scheduled for January 2011 across Europe.
The final part of the trilogy, Excalibur III The Origins (Excalibur III: The Origins), is due to be released in 2011.
Anne de Bretagne
In 2008 Alan Simon created the rock opera Anne de Bretagne. This ambitious work of 31 tracks tells the life story of Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany
Anne, Duchess of Brittany , also known as Anna of Brittany , was a Breton ruler, who was to become queen to two successive French kings. She was born in Nantes, Brittany, and was the daughter of Francis II, Duke of Brittany and Margaret of Foix. Her maternal grandparents were Queen Eleanor of...
, following the historical events that made her the last Duchess of independent Brittany and twice crowned queen of France. It was performed by Nilda Fernandez
Nilda Fernandez
Nilda Fernández is a French-Spanish singer-songwriter.-1991 - Nilda Fernández:1. Entre Lyon et Barcelone2. Mes Yeux Dans Ton Regard3. Croisière Sur Le Nil4. Rendez-Vous Manqués5. L'invitation A Venise6. Nos Fiançailles7. Luisita...
, Tri Yann
Tri Yann
Tri Yann is a French band from Nantes , who play folk rock music drawing on traditional Breton folk ballads.The band was founded in 1970 by Jean Chocun, Jean-Paul Corbineau and Jean-Louis Jossic – all of whom remain members – hence the suggested name of Tri Yann an Naoned , Jean and Yann being...
, Barclay James Harvest, Fairport Convention, Pat O'May
Pat O'May
Pat O'May is a French musician born in 1961 in Rouen .From an essentially rock and metal background, he explores new territory with an original blend of is own guitar approach and world music elements using among others Celtic, Arabian and Chinese sounds.-Groups:As a teenager, he was a fan of The...
, Cécile Corbel
Cécile Corbel
Cécile Corbel is a French-Brettone singer and harper. She has released four albums of original music and worked for Studio Ghibli as a composer for their 2010 film, The Borrower Arrietty...
(as Anne herself), Laurent Tixier, James Wood
James Wood
James Wood was an officer of the U.S. Continental Army during the American Revolution and the 11th Governor of Virginia.-Personal life:...
and an ensemble of 200 musicians.
The Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes hosted the premiere of "Anne de Bretagne" 29 and June 30, 2009 to 6000 people. The live performance was released as a CD and DVD.
As sole composer
- 1994: Le Petit Arthur (Conte musical)
- 1996: Les Enfants du Futur (Conte musical)
- 1999: Excalibur I, La Légende des Celtes (Folk Rock opera)
- 2000: Excalibur, Le Concert Mythique (live version, oct. 1999)
- 2003: GAIA
- 2007: Excalibur II, L'Anneau des Celtes
- 2009: Anne de Bretagne (Folk Rock opera)
- 15 March 2010 : "DVD Anne de Bretagne live au chateau des ducs"
- 15 October 2010: "Triple CD Live "Anne de Bretagne au chateau des ducs"
- Due 5 Jan 2011: "Excalibur III, The Origins"
Collaborations
- 2000 : Open the door by Roger HodgsonRoger HodgsonCharles Roger Pomfret Hodgson is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman, and founding member, of progressive rock band Supertramp....
- 2004 : UMOJA musical about apartheid (song I have a Dream)
- 2005 : Crème anglaise by John HelliwellJohn HelliwellJohn Helliwell is an English musician and the saxophonist and occasional keyboardist and woodwind player for the rock band Supertramp...
(saxophonist of SupertrampSupertrampSupertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
)
Filmography
- 2004 : O Gengis, narrated by Jean RenoJean RenoJean Reno is a French actor. Working in French, English, Spanish and Italian, he has appeared not only in numerous successful Hollywood productions such as The Pink Panther, Godzilla, The Da Vinci Code, Mission: Impossible, Ronin and Couples Retreat, but also in European productions such as the...
(French version) and Omar SharifOmar SharifOmar Sharif is an Egyptian actor who has starred in Hollywood films including Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won two Golden Globe Awards.-Early life:...
(English version). - 2006: Mon frère, le Loup, unrealised scenario.
- 2009: La Robe du soir by Myriam Aziza; Alan Simon composed the song "L'enfant Roy"
- 2010: Christopher Ross by Max Sender; Alan Simon composed "Peace on earth"
Writings
- 2003: GAIA, Carnets secrets de la planète bleue
- 2008: Excalibur le cercle du dragon (vol. 1)
- 2010: Excalibur la prophétie de Merlin (vol. 2)