Excalibur Albums

[Jan_]

Sorry if this is all rather tedious for some of you but my first encounter with Alan Simon's work in the form of Fairport's Fame and Glory left me feeling rather confused and I figured that others may be in the same position.  Having blown all of my Christmas money on these albums, I think I understand it all a lot better now.

Excalibur I: La Legende des Celtes (1998).   This is the story of King Arthur, the knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail.  As you'd imagine, it is full of bravery, honour, love and betrayal – powerful emotions which are all reflected in the music, which is a combination of celtic, folk, rock and classical.  The musicians and singers take the roles of the various characters and all of this is clearly explained in the CD notes, albeit in French! Had I bought this one first, I think everything would have made much more sense.

Excalibur II: The Celtic Ring (2007).  This is the story of Merlin, set in the mystical land of Anwynn or Avalon.  It features fairies, dragons and other mythical creatures.  Magic, fantasy and other-worldliness abound.  Each song/tune relates to a different event in the tale.  This was the last one to arrive and I like it the least.  Fairport have definitely captured all the best tracks on their Fame and Glory CD.

Excalibur: Le Concert Mythique(2005). This includes a DVD and CD of the live performance of Excalibur I in Rennes in 1999. You lose six tracks from the original (about 12 minutes in total) and gain seven (approximately 30 minutes).  The extras include Fairport's Behind the Darkness and Fame and Glory – both brilliant in my opinion.  There is also a documentary about the project which is in French with no subtitles.  I am planning on taking it with me when I visit my sister during half term so that she can translate it for me – although as she pointed out, it is more than thirty years since she studied French at university so not to get my hopes up too much!

If I could buy only one of these, it would be Le Concert Mythique.

Please feel free to correct any mistakes I might have made, disagree with my opinions or comment on these albums

[Anna]

Thanks for that KM, I've been getting intrigued by these albums recently.  I'll have to have a look around I guess, see what's availalbe...

[GubGub (Al)]

I like Excalibur 2 a lot, especially the Justin Hayward tracks. It helps that it is mostly in English and there is more continuous Fairport participation than on the first studio album, though it is the live album which makes the most comprehensive use of the band.

Excalibur 3 due out in November, though I'll believe it when I see it as Anne De Bretagne is only out in March.

[Jan_]

I'm back from 'up north' and pleased to report that my sister did a sterling job on the translation of Le Concert Mythique documentary.  I am amazed to discover that the musicians had only one afternoon to put the whole thing together!  Our chaps were highly praised by the man behind it all for what they brought to the project musically and otherwise.  It wasn't quite to my sister's taste as she prefers acoustic to electric and I wondered if that is how others feel.  Or maybe it is too far away musically, culturally, distance-wise from what FC normally do.  Whatever the reason, there is a definite quietness surrounding these projects ... or so it seems to me

[Chris]

There was quite a lot of discussion around these albums when they first came out - those new to Fairport since will struggle as they were never released in the UK, and were only available through Amazon France / FNAC for a short time.

Indeed, some of here actually feature on the live album, as we were in the audience. Weren't we Tony?

[Jan_]

those new to Fairport since will struggle

Aha ... that's me ... new girl ... tenth Cropredy coming up!

[Chris]

In that case, Fairport did definitely make a good song & dance about these albums / live shows at the time - even playing a track during one Winter tour, if I remember correctly.

How come you missed out?

[Jan_]

I remember Roger Hodgson at my first Cropredy - 2000 - but nothing registered with me regarding Excalibur.  My first winter tour was 1999 and don't remember anything at all about Excalibur.  But when you are in a high state of emotion, things don't always go in.  That's my excuse, anyway

What was played, by the way?  Can you remember?

[Chris]

Ten years or so ago?.....I wish my memory was that good!

You're right though - I seem to remember being disapoointed that Hodgson & Fairport didn't reprise any Excalibur at Cropredy...

[GubGub (Al)]

I think they played Castle Rock on the last tour with DM. Excalibur 2 was released in the UK by the way and was fairly easily available for a time.

[tony the roundhead]

Indeed, some of here actually feature on the live album, as we were in the audience. Weren't we Tony?

Quite. I was in Nantes for the rehersals and the gig. Still have the poster and passes on my wall! I also saw the show in Paris, Quimper and Malicorne sur Sarthe.