Album review: ALAN SIMON – Excalibur The Mythical Concert

“Excalibur – The Mythical Concert” (CD&DVD)

“Excalibur – Live In Broceliande” (CD&DVD)

[Release Date 25.10.19]

In the late nineties, Breton’s Alan Simon created “Excalibur”, a Progressive/ Symphonic/ Celtic Folk Rock series, based on Arthurian legend. It proved to be hugely popular in Western Europe, yet it has continued to bump along under the radar in the UK. It’s gained some traction recently, as word of its pan European content, and its success in France and Germany filtered through to these shores.

“Live In Broceliande” is essentially the live version of “Excalibur 3, Origins”, staged in Brittany, in 2002. Similarly, “The Mythical Concert” is the 1999 live version of “Excalibur 1”.

The better informed will already know that in each of “Excalibur” albums, Simon brings together a carefully curated art rock ensemble, with each artist chosen to interpret a specific piece of music. The cast here includes Fairport Convention, Martin (Jethro Tull) Barre, Roberto Tiranti, Moya (Clannad) Brennan and Supertramp’s mainmen, Roger Hodgson and John Helliwell.

When it’s a live performance, you might expect the most familiar voices or indeed the dramatic orchestral pieces to have the biggest impact. Like Roger Hodgson showing the lightest of vocal touches on the Byrdsian ‘The Clemence’. But it’s probably Moya Brennan’s intimate, ethereal tones and John Helliwell’s rasping sax, both bringing a level of gravitas to ‘Sacred Lands’ and ‘Evil Day’ respectively, that bring to life the themes of tragedy, loss and emotional betrayal that underpin Simon’s writing. That said, you can dip in anywhere and come up with all manner of compelling pieces of music and stories, adroitly told by a litany of consummate performers.

Both releases are CD&DVD packages, with the DVD being the track for track visual version of the concert. Nothing is lost in the live recording’s translation to disc…the audio has the clarity and depth not found in major label funded releases. In addition, an “Excalibur Trilogy” documentary is included on the “Live In Broceliande” CD&DVD set.

All you need to hear and all you need to know in two neat bundles. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Album review (Excalibur IV)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)