EXCALIBUR V: MOVE, CRY ACT, CLASH!

ALAN SIMON is releasing his 5th chapter here on Excalibur, 20 years after his first. Ah, I forgot to present to you this touch to everything which also militates for the respect of the planet and which gives texts targeted and committed on it; surrounded by Steve Hackett, John Helliwell and Jesse Siedenberg, Martin Barre, Jeremy Spencer, Michael Sadler, Roberto Tiranti, Jerry Goodman as well as the singers Shira Golan and Miriam Toukan and the late John Wetton he launches 12 manifest titles of an opera-rock Celtic to make swallowing the pill a little easier? Alan SIMON whom I have followed since 2007 for the innovative Celtic side, where does he take us there?

"Move, Cry, Act, Clash" shouting title, distress call on a news-TV intro about the end of our planet's life, global warming in the sights; a punchy track comes in, a voice, a rising tune like the surf of the waves at the edge of the cliff, nervous, aggressive with Martin's guitar. "The Prisoner" metal riff of the end of the world, kind of arrival before the Lord to know where we are going to be able to go; AYREON-style title made for rock opera, viscous guitar behind on DEEP PURPLE, it is more the emotion released than the musical rhythm that takes effect with the melancholy Jerry Goodman violin. "The Last Bird" and immediate stop! Yes I have to tell you that I have been a fan of SAGA since their beginnings, so listening to Michael is always a magical moment for me; I feel like I hear her 80s voice,he must rejuvenate the bugger with his sensual voice; ballad embellished with the cry of the bird until the end, delicate acoustic guitar for a dark tune from which the light can still appear. "Messaline" landed folk rock, Irish ballad suddenly reminding me of KANSAS, hold a title of IRON MAIDEN for the intro; yes they also started to prog metal on their last one. In short, the warrior guitar solo potentiates even more the Celtic aspect with violins in order of battle weighting the voice of dramatic bernie shaw. "I Said Shout" in the sequel, nervous, on a title of musical comedy 'Shaft' for the imposing choirs, short rhythmic folk-rock of BOF genre 'Starsky & Hutch'. "Heaven" on an acoustic basis and the presence of Martin BARRE for an absolutely brilliant vintage moment, the notes,the agreement melts the speakers on a typical 80's heavy metal prog sound; any resemblance to 'Stairway To Heaven' can only be made on purpose.

"The Lady of the Lake" begins from the 2nd side, I like to cut the albums: blues here relaxing the atmosphere, thundering vocals, groovy choirs, sax by John Helliwell for a cheerful restful track. "When Your Feelings Grow" heartbeat, horse cry, titanic bass in 80's PINK FLOYD style; it's rhythmic, the violins add to it, the sensual choirs too; sometimes I say to myself like ALAN PARSONS just like that. "Wake Up (Before the Last War)" still PINK FLOYD era 'Division Bell', the sax which makes jump the hairs, Roberto Tiranti gives with his airy voice to give in the introspective, Celtic fund which returns in the station wagon; moment of caution with this crystalline piano just destroyed by the dark, deafening finale, the baby being unable to do anything about it."Hey" which I let you find the similar air going to see on the side of "Silent Hill" for example, psychedelic; Roberto Tiranti uses his soft voice to melt us, the sax of course adds a layer until the end. "A Brand New Day" folk and world music filled with hope with Shira Golan and Miriam Toukan, Palestine and Israel united, language in Hebrew, Arabic and English with Michael in the background for a dreamlike musical intensity and the Génésisien solo of Steve; back to noisy life. "The Vision" slide guitar à la 'Paris, Texas', John Wetton, tribute song covering 'De l'Autre Côté' with a Celtic and intimate tone."A Brand New Day" folk and world music filled with hope with Shira Golan and Miriam Toukan, Palestine and Israel united, language in Hebrew, Arabic and English with Michael in the background for a dreamlike musical intensity and the Génésisien solo of Steve; back to noisy life. "The Vision" slide guitar à la 'Paris, Texas', John Wetton, tribute song covering 'De l'Autre Côté' with a Celtic and intimate tone."A Brand New Day" folk and world music filled with hope with Shira Golan and Miriam Toukan, Palestine and Israel united, language in Hebrew, Arabic and English with Michael in the background for a dreamlike musical intensity and the Génésisien solo of Steve; back to noisy life. "The Vision" slide guitar à la 'Paris, Texas', John Wetton, tribute song covering 'De l'Autre Côté' with a Celtic and intimate tone.

ALAN SIMON took 3 years to release this militant album where the titles are very varied, well the covid has also been there: on a pop-rock, rock, Celtic, intimate variation, with symphonic arrangements bringing haunting heat to travel safely. At the moment when he withdraws a little from this world too crazy, unhealthy, there remains this message to be shared around a round table to discuss with these famous musical knights performers; an album which increases in creative power as the said album progresses, going from the 70's to the 80's then 90's for a timeless hymn. An album made to actively reflect on a future with hope: Move, cry, act, face!