The story of the artist, in his own words
gabriel yacoub was born in paris, from a lebanese father and a mother from the loire region
gabriel yacoub is recognized as one of france's foremost folk / pop artists, with more than 30 releases on labels throughout europe, north america and japan
yacoub first came to the fore as teenage back-up guitarist and singer with brittany's pioneering celtic harpist alan stivell in the early 1970s
stivell's blend of rock and the old world inspired yacoub to form a band that was soon to become a landmark in contemporary french music
pierre de grenoble, by gabriel & marie yacoub was released in 1973
originally the founder of the french group malicorne, yacoub has been known to push the envelope of folk genres and pop music performance, and maintains a faithful following of crossover fans
unearthing some of france's finest jewels from its own traditional music, malicorne offered us their remarkably fresh approach, and succeeded in bringing this music into the limelight at a time when french ears were tuning into america for inspiration
for ten years, malicorne revived the magic of what some today call "world music" by integrating currently popular instruments with crumhorns, bagpipes, and hurdy-gurdies, and stunning vocal arrangements
they transformed well-chosen traditional and medieval ballads, through unusual and powerful voicings, into modern songs relevant to our times
capturing the attention of the public and music professionals worldwide, they were awarded three gold records as well as the coveted grand prix de l'académie du disque français
yet yacoub did not stop there
with malicorne at its height, he launched a solo career, and developed his own musical personality though still drawing on his traditional background
1978, his first solo album, trad.arr., shows his taste for new textures and interpretations on a more personal level
however, his 1986 album elementary level of faith, (e.l.f.), marks a real departure for yacoub
this is his first album as a songwriter
this experimental record was compared to the likes of laurie anderson, winning great acclaim for its far-reaching technological and emotional qualities refined by his stamp of warmth and intimacy
yacoub returned to his acoustic roots with bel in 1990, which has become a classic in its genre
here, the emotional strength and richness of his writing and vocals are accompanied by beautifully arranged string quartets, bagpipes and guitar
the following quatre, (1994) had been hailed as his most perfectly crafted work to date at the time
lyrics, melodies and once again superb arrangements reflect the immense experience of fifteen albums and countless influences until then ever innovative
1997 babel is a band album
gabriel wished to materialize the sound that himself and the musicians (same band for over 10 years at that time) managed to create over years of work, adventure, on both artistic and human sides
each musician contributed on composition
here are the themes dear to gabriel, symbols, love, communication...
1999, release of tri
it is a compilation of gabriel's 5 albums
2001, new album
:yacoub: was released on celluloïd / mélodie
this is a collection of new songs.
2002, the simple things we said, the "american album" on 1-800 prime CD (new york)
it is a set of songs, old & new, arranged in a very simple acoustic setting
in concert, yacoub leads you on a graceful journey of magical melodies, singing and guitar arrangements, with stopovers for witty song introductions in both french and english
his solo tours have taken him to over 800 american, canadian, and european venues - a remarkable testimony to this musician's stage presence.
gabriel yacoub performs as a trio, with yannick hardouin, acoustic bass, piano, vocals & vincent letreau, violin, vocals
Essai - Bastien Lucas
$19.99
(cdRoots# elf-essai)
The french singer, composer and musician is joined by a wonderful group opf musicians to present a strong recording of new French song. Musicians include Gabriel Yacoub, Aurélie Dorzée, Yannick Hardouin, Julien Biget and Sylvie Berger. Listen to "Sans rancune" and "Autant pour moi"
Legende - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-legende)
Légende is a 15 track compilation that covers the second decade of this seminal French ensemble, from 4 of their most acclaimed recordings, a record of the band at its artistic heights.
la polonaise - Cie Montanaro
$28.99
(cdRoots# elf-polan)
The artists say: 'The songs here describe the landscapes of Poland, the forests and the lakes, the town of Katowice, what one sees from the window on a train, the rumours of the streets, the heat in the homes these songs also describe inner landscapes, feelings, surges, restraints, feeding a shared but impossible love la polonaise unveils a rare aspect of Miquéu Montanaro's art, writer, composer and singer, for a sensitive and fine work, wonderfully served by Sylvie Berger and the production work of alchemist Gabriel Yacoub.' Other muscians include Yannick Hardouin (piano, bass), François Heim (diatonic accordion), Daniel Malavergne (tuba), Miquèu Montanaro (vocals, whistles, chromatic accordion) and Frédéric Paris (clarinet).
l'extraordinaire tour de france... - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-tour)
The full title was "l'Extraordinaire Tour de France d'Adélard Rousseau dit Nivernais la Clef des Cœurs, Compagnon Charpentier du Devoir" and the grand title matches the grand concept of this 1978 recording by what had become France's most important roots-rock/progressive rock band, at the height of their talents. Power and energy, elegance and grace were all in abundance, and the overall sound was cinematic in nature. This is often cited as Malicorne's greatest recording, and while I have my personal favorites from later in their discography, I can't argue with the accolades this one has garnered over the last 2 and a half decades.
Brand new world / Dans l'oubli du sommeil - Didier Francois and Gilles Chabenat / D. François and Gabriel Yacoub
$23.99
(cdRoots# hrbe-033)
Two complete recordings on 2 CDs in one package, both essential works of new central European folk music. On one, the passionate dialogue of two symbols of the French and Swedish traditions: vielle a roue (hurdy-gurdy) and nyckelharpa. Music that is popular and erudite, terrestrial and celestial. The second celebrates the violin and nyckelharpa in union with the human voice, with one of France's great singers at the lead, joined by Sylvie Berger and Tom Theuns. It is flawless and visceral; highly recommended.
je vois venir (2 CDs) - Gabriel Yacoub
$28.99
(cdRoots# elf-venir)
The 2004 release of a live recording on 2 CDs. Recorded live at the Théâtre de Cornouaille in Quimper, January 17th and 18th 2003, the album features the whole concert, no tricks! The recording features all new arrangements for this unique ensemble, with unreleased pieces, old memories, rarities, and, as the band says, the pleasure of playing and living together. That joy exudes through every minute of this performance.
marie de malicorne - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-marie)
2005 compilation of Malicorne tracks featuring vocalist Marie Yacoub, plus bonus CDR file with lyrics to the songs. Includes a number of never-released versions, remixes and different editions.
Balançoire en feu - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-balancoire)
les choses les plus simples (book) - Gabriel Yacoub
$21.99
(cdRoots# elf-book)
A book of poetry/lyrics by Gabriel Yacoub
Malicorne 2 - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-malicorne2)
Malicorne 4 - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-malicorne4)
En Public - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-public)
Vox - Malicorne
$18.99
(cdRoots# elf-vox)
A collection of the vocal works of this seminal French folk-rock ensemble
La Nonchalante - Emmanuel Pariselle
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-pari1)
la bergere accordionist steps to the front, joined by his partners in the trio, Silvie Berger and Julien Biget, plus a few friends, for a unique recording of new music.
Malicorne 1 - Malicorne
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-malicorne1)
Pierre de Grenoble - Gabriel and Marie Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-grenoble)
This is the 1973 "acoustic Malicorne" recording of 1973, for some reason put under just the Yacoub name, but featuring all the major players from the band. Among the many 'classic; recordings made by the band, this one is probably the most sought after, and it is available again in a new edition.
Elementary Level of Faith - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-elf)
1987
:Yacoub - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-yacoub)
2001
Trad Arr - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-17.99
(cdRoots# elf-tradarr)
One of Gabriel Yacoub's most popular recordings was this elegant and simple set of songs, arranged from the tradition and performed with an understatement that was a radical change from the high-tech sound that Malicorne had developed. Musicians include Marie Yacoub, Hughes de Courson, Barry Dransfield and Jean Blanchard
Tri (collection) - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-tri)
A compilation from earlier recordings (pre 1999), and an excellent place to begin to learn about this unique artist.
Bel - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-bel)
1990
Quatre - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock
(cdRoots# elf-quatre)
1994
Les cathedrales de l'industrie - Malicorne / Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-cath)
Cathedrals of Industry is the recording that turned the tide in French folk-rock, a high-tech experiment that infuriated some old (folkie) fans with its electronics and sometimes calculated mechanisms. But it is also the recording that placed Malicorne in the new European avant garde, bringing the nation into the 'new roots' movement that Britain had already started.
The Simple Things We Said - Gabriel Yacoub
$13.99
(cdRoots# pcd-yacoub1)
A collection of songs, including 4 in English, some old and some new, plus some previously unreleased. All are new recordings made in Paris in 2001. The album is all acoustic.
Almanach - Malicorne
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-almanach)
Babel - Gabriel Yacoub
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-babel)
1997
fi de l'eau - la bergere
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-bergere2)
The second recording by la bergère is again a poetic vision, created by the trio of Sylvie Berger (voice), Julien Biget (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, percussion, voice), and Emmanuel Pariselle (accordion diatonique, concertina, flute, voice), joined by a wonderful list of guests including Gilles Chabenat, Gabriel Yacoub and Alain Bruel. Highly recommended, as was their first!
Ouvarosa - La Bergere
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-ouvarosa)
The French singer Sylvie Berger and her ensemble, La Bergère, present a beautuful collection of original and traditional songs, all elegantly produced by Gabriel Yacoub (who also participates as musician and singer on a few tracks).
La Beastiaire - Malicorne
$temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# elf-beast)
yacoub gabriel malicorne malicarne
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