CD Universe sells many of his albums online at a pretty good price, with RealAudio sound samples for several.
In compiling this discography, I have been aided by a number of people who have supplied me with information that I did not have and who have referred me to sources that have been very helpful. I'd like to give a special thanks to Anselm Blumer, Linda Cunningham, Yves Denneuli, Karen Gloria, Ulrich Grepel, Doug Johnston, Gerard Manning, Paul Murphy, Rafal Pisula, Klaus Rabbertz, Erich Schraer, and Jorma Snellman for taking the time and effort to help me out with this.
CD Universe
sells many of his albums online at a pretty good price, with RealAudio sound samples for several.
Discography Organization
--- [A collection of Gaelic music], a 45 rpm EP, recorded and released by
Mouez Breiz in the late fifties (either 1958 or 1959). Stivell was
fifteen years old when he recorded this.
Mouez Breiz 4597 [the only known release; vinyl]
--- [a 45 rpm single released by Andree Le Gouil, a Breton chanteuse].
Stivell recorded a total four singles with Le Gouil. I do not know
whether he was involved in writing/arranging anything on these 45's or
whether he simply accompanied her on harp. In fact, I do not even
know whether Stivell's name is even mentioned on the record labels
and sleeves. These were recorded and released sometime between
1959 and 1964, but I do not have any specific information. I am not
certain, but I believe that all four of these singles were released by
Mouez Breiz]
--- [the second of Stivell's 45 rpm singles with Le Gouil].
--- [the third of Stivell's 45 rpm singles with Le Gouil].
--- [the fourth and last of Stivell's 45 rpm singles with Le Gouil].
--- _Telenn Geltiek_ [A collection of songs for Celtic harp], a 10" (25 cm)
33 rpm recording released by Mouez Breiz in [1964?].
Mouez Breiz 3344 [the only release; vinyl only]
--- "Flower Power", "Le Bourreau", "La ou va le vent", and "Les vaniteux";
a 45 rpm EP released by Fontana in the summer of 1968. This was
Stivell's first release on a major label as well as the first music
he recorded using the name "Stivell." The record sleeve says of
Stivell: "His songs evoke the sea, the winds, and flowers; he brings
to France what the hippies brought to America, a breath of enthusiasm
touched with melancholy.") I do not believe these songs have ever
appeared anywhere else.
Fontana 460244 ME. [the only release; vinyl only]
--- "Crepuscule sur la rade" and "Ballade pour un matin de pluie", a 45 rpm
released by Fontana in [1969?]. In _Racines Interdites_, Stivell says
of this and the previous disk: "They passed pretty much unnoticed
and I do not regret it." Stivell was so disappointed with these two
records and with the hippie image that Polygram was imposing upon
him that he tried to get out of his contract. He did not succeed,
although he did manage to negotiate more control over his music
and his image. Once again, I do not believe either of these songs
has appeared elsewhere.
Fontana 260156 MF [one release, vinyl only]
--- "Broceliande" and "Son ar chistr", a 45 rpm released in July of 1970.
Both songs appear on _Reflets_, Stivell's first album. "Broceliande"
appears on the Alan Stivell compilation released as part of Polygram
France's Master Serie (described below) as well as on several other
compilations. A new version of "Son ar chistr" appears on the album
_Again_.
Fontana [number unknown]
--- "The Wind of Keltia" and "Pop Plinn", 45 rpm. This was released in 1972,
shortly after _A l'Olympia_ was recorded. Studio versions of these
tunes appear on the above-mentioned Master Serie disk and on
other compilations. There are also live versions of both songs on
Stivell's album _A l'Olympia_.
Fontana 6010 050
--- "Tha Mi Sgith" and "Suite sud-armoricaine", 45 rpm, [1972?]. A studio
version of "Suite sud-armoricaine" appears on the Master Serie
disk and on other compilations. Live versions of both songs appear
on _A l'Olympia_.
Fontana 6010 067
---"Tri Martolod" and "The King of the Fairies", 45 rpm, [1972?] A studio
version of "Tri Mortolod" can be found on the Master Serie disk and
on other compilations. A studio version of "King of the Fairies"
appears on the _"Grands succes"_ compilation, and a new version of
the song appears on _Again_. Live versions of both tunes appear on _A
l'Olympia_.
Fontana 6010 076
--- "Naw breton 'ba' prizon" and [another song whose title I do not know],
a 45 rpm from 1977. "Naw breton 'ba' prizon" appears on the album
_Raok Dilestra (Avant d'accoster)_, the title of which is sometimes
translated as _Before Landing_.
Keltia III 6042 850.
Albums are listed in chronological order according to the date of original release. The name listed at the beginning of each entry is the name under which the album was initially released. For those albums which have been released under different or translated titles,, I have mentioned these titles in brackets after the original name.
--- _Reflets_ [Also called _Reflections_]. Stivell's first full-length
album. It was originally released by Fontana in December, 1970. It
contains the following ten songs: "Reflets," "Suite des Montagnes,"
"Marig ar Pollanton," "Broceliande," "Son ar Chistr," "Sally Free and
Easy," "Suite Irlandaise," "Silvestrig," Tenval an Deiz," and "Je
suis ne au milieu de la mer."
Fontana 6312 011 [original French release]
Fontana 6399 008 [British release of 1973, titled _Reflections_]
Current Availablility: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Not available in the U.S or in Canada. In Germany,
the album appears in its entirity on the 2-CD compilation
_Renaissance of the Celtic Harp_ (described in the section
on compilations.)
--- _Renaissance de l'harpe celtique_ [Also called _Renaissance of the Celtic
Harp_], released by Fontana in 1971. It includes five songs: "Ys", "
Marv pontkellec", "Ap huw and Pnellyn", "Eliz izu" and "Gaeltacht".
Fontana 6325 302 [original French release]
Philips 6414 406 [British release (w/ translated title) of 1973]
Rounder 3067 [American release of 1982]
Philips 51 [British cassete/vinyl of 1983, re-released in 1990]
Philips 818007-2 [British CD release of 1990]
Current Availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Available in the U.S. from Rounder on CD and
cassette. Available in Canada. Availalable in Germany
on the 2-CD compilation called _Renaissance of the
Celtic Harp_. Availalable in the UK on CD, cassette, and
vinyl from Philips.
--- _A l'Olympia_ [Also called _At the Olympia_ and _Olympia Concert_] was
Stivell's first live album. It was released by Fontana in 1972. It
includes thirteen songs: "The Wind of Keltia," "An Dro". "The Trees
They Grow High," "An Alarc'h," "An Durzhunel," "Telenn Gwoad,"
"The Foggy Dew," "Pop-Plinn," "Thai Mi Sgith," "King of the Faeries,"
"Tri Mortolod," "Kost Ar C'hoad," and "Suite Sud-armoricaine."
Fontana 6399 005 [orginal French release]
Fontana 6325 321 [???]
Disques Dreyfus 834-289-2 [French CD release of 1988]
Current Availability: Available in France on CD and cassette from
Disques Dreyfus. Not available in the U.S or in Candada.
--- _Chemins de terre_ [Also called _From Celtic Roots_], Fontana, 1974. It
includes eleven songs: "Susy MacGuire," "Ian Morrison Reel," "She
Moved Through the Fair," "Can y Melinydd," "Oidhche Mhait," "An
Dro Nevez," "Maro Ma Mestrez," "Brezhoneg' Raok," "An Hani A
Garan," "Metig," and "Kimiad."
Fontana 6325 304 [original French release]
Fontana 9279 038 [Italian vinyl release, part of the "Sucesso" series]
Fontana 7259 038 [Italian cassette release, part of the "Sucesso
series]
Current Availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Not available in U.S or in Canada. Available in
Germany as part of the 2-CD compilation _Renaissance of the
Celtic Harp_.
--- _E Langonned_. This album was first released in 1974. It takes its
name from the town of Langonned in Brittany, where Stivell moved
in order to "enroot himself [s'enraciner] in a Celtic culture."
(He had previously lived in Paris, where he had grown up.) It
includes the following songs: "E Parrez Langonned," Gavotten Pourled,"
"Planedenn," "Ne Bado Ket Atao," "Bwthyn fy Nain," "Ffarwel i
Aberyswtyth," "Briste Leathair Pheadair/Mairseal a' Chearc,""Dans
Fisel/Gavotten ar Menez/An Sagart Cheolnhar," Bal Fisel," "Deus Ganin
Me D'am Bro," "Jenovefa," "Sagart o Donaill," "Diougan Gwenc'hlan,"
"Ar Voraerion," "Faili Faili Oro," and "Oye Vie."
Fontana 6325 332 [original French release]
Fontana 6299 008 [???]
Current Availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Not available in the U.S or in Canada.
--- _E Dulenn_ [_Also called _A Dublin_ and _Alan Stivell Live In
Dublin_]. This was Stivell's second live album. It was first
released under the Keltia III label in 1975, the first of Stivell's
albums to appear on that label. It contains eleven songs: "Spered
Hollvedel (Espirit universel)," "Delivrance (Enez al loch)," "Ha
Kompren't Vin Erfin (Est-ce qu'on me comprendra enfin)," "Tenwal Eo'r
Bed (Le monde est sombre)," "Digor Eo An Hent (Le chemin est ouvert),"
"Debhair An Rinceoir (Debair le danseur)," "Pachpi Kozh (Vieux
Pachpi)/Pachpi New' (Pachpi nouveau)," "Laridenn/Mairseal O'Neil,"
"Ton-Bale Pourled (an dro)/Hanter Dro," "Bal Ha Dans Plinn'," and
"An Droiou."
Keltia III 9101 850 [original French release]
CBS 82976 [???]
Fontana 9299547 [called _In Dublin_, possibly a British release]
Disques Dreyfus 833-275-2 [French CD release of 1988]
Disques Dreyfus FDM 36192-2 [Canadian CD release]
Current Availability: Available in France and Canada on CD and
cassette from Disques Dreyfus. Not available domestically
in the U.S.
--- _Trema'n inis (Vers l'ile)_ was released by Keltia III in 1976. The seven
songs on this album are all based on poems by contemporary Breton
poets; the lyrics are taken from their poetry: "Stok ouzh an enez (En
vue de l'ile)", "Hommes liges des talus en transe-- morceaux choisis",
"Rinnen XX (Arcane XX)" "An Eur-se zo ken tost d'ar peurbad (Cette
heure si pres de l'eternel)", "Negro Song", "E-tal ar groaz (Face a la
croix)", and "Ar chas donv'yelo da ouez (Les chiens redeviendront
sauvages)".
Keltia III 9101 851 [original French release]
CBS 82977 [???]
Disques Dreyfus 191 069-2 [current CD release]
Current availability: Available in France on CD and cassette from
Disques Dreyfus. Not available in the U.S or Canada.
--- _Raok dilestra (Avant d'accoster)_ [Also called _Before Landing_]. This
record was released by Keltia III in 1977. A concept album about the
history of Brittany, it contains sixteen songs: "Ar Gelted Kozh (The
Ancient Celts)," "Ar Vritoned Ba'inis-Breizh (The Bretons in
Britain)," "Britons Exile to Armorica," "Rouantelezh Vreizh (The
Breton Kingdom)," Dugelezh Vreizh - The Breton Duchy," "The Union
Pact," "Emsawadegou (Revolts)," "The French Revolution and The
Nineteenth Century," "Twentieth Century-- Part One," "Eil Lodenn
An Ugent Wed Kantwed (Twentieth Century-- Part Two),"Da Ewan (To Ewan
My Son)," "Marw Ewid E Fobl (Dead For His People)," "Gwrizad Diffenet
(Forbidden Roots)," "Naw Breton 'Ba' Prizon (Nine Bretons In Prison),"
"Tamm-Kreiz New (New Middle Part)," and "Plinn-Slogan."
Keltia III 9101 852 [original French release]
Fontana 9286 999 [British release titled _Before Landing_].
CBS 83520 [???]
Keltia III 191 068-2 [1992 British CD release, titled _Before Landing]
Current availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Available in the UK on the above-mentioned
CD by Keltia III. Not available in the U.S. or in Canada.
--- _Un Dewezh barzh ger (Journee a la maison)_ [also called _A Home-
coming_] was released by Keltia III in 1978. It contains ten songs:
"Trinquons nos verres," Ar wezenn awalou," "Henchou kuzh," "Tambud
Kemper," "Warlec'h koan," "An tri marrak," "'Tal an tan," "An nighean
dubh," "Slan Chearbhallain (O'Carolan's Farewell)," and "Insi
Hanternos."
Keltia III/CBS 8834 316-2 [CD release of 1988]
Rounder 3062 [American Available in France on CD and cassette
from Disques Dreyfus. Available in the U.S. on CD and
cassette from Rounder. Not available in Canada.
--- _International Tour (Tro or Bed)_. [Also called _3rd Live International
Tour_]. Stivell's third live album was released in 1979 and contains
the gollowing ten songs: "Ar c'hoant dimezin," "Rouantelezh Vreizh,"
Dugelezh Vreizh," "Stok ouzh an enez," "Hommes liges des talus en
transe," "We Shall Surive," "Cailin og deas," "O'Carolan's Farewell/
The Musical Priest," An nighean dubh," and "Fest-hypnoz."
Keltia III/CBS 83505 [initial French release]
Metronome 0060.200 [initial German release]
Attic LATF-5007 [initial Canadian release]
Current availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Not available in the U.S or in Canada..
--- _Symphonie celitque (Tir na nog)_ [Also called _Celtic Symphony_], re-
leased in 1980 by Keltia III. The symphony, which is as much rock and
folk as it is classical, has three movements-- or as Stivell calls
them, three "circles." The vinyl release has 2 LPs. I'm not sure,
but I believe the cassette release has 2 cassettes as well.
Keltia III/CBS 88487 [initial French release]
Rounder CD 11523 [American CD release of 1986]
Rounder 3088/89 [American vinyl/cassette release, 2 LPs, 1986]
Disques Dreyfus 833 125-2 [French CD release of 1988]
Currently availability: Available in France on CD and cassette from
Disques Dreyfus. Available in the U.S. on CD and cassette
from Rounder. Not available in Canada.
--- _Legende_ was first recorded in 1983. It was re-released in 1989 under a
different label-- although both releases were done under the
auspices of Keltia III. It contains four songs that Stivell recorded
for Monique Enckel's movie _Si J'avais 1000 ans_, " as well as "Eirog
Shineiden," "Immram Brain (The Voyage of Bran)," and a long multi-
part composition called "La venue des peuples 'dieux' (Teacht na
dTuatha de') [The Coming of the Gods]."
Celtic Music [number unknown] [original 1983 release]
Celtic Music CMCD 022 [CD release of 1988]
Disc AZ 104752 [1989 release]
Current Availability: Available in France and the UK on CD and
cassette. There is no domestic release in the U.S., but it
is commonly found as an import. Not available in Canada.
-- _Terre des vivantes_ is a recording that I know very little about. It
is a recording by Stivell, apparently made in the early 80's, but
which is undated. It contains the following songs: "Terre des
vivantes," "Rentrer en Bretagne," "Beg ar van," "M.J.," "'Raog mont
d'ar skol (Rock Monday School)" "Androides (parts 1,2 and 3),"
"Ideas," "Androides (part 4)," "Hidden through the Hills," "Cameronian
rant," "Q celts fiesta," and "L'ere du versau." If anyone knows
anything more about the date or the avaialability of this recording,
please let me know.
Disc AZ AZ/3 C373 [French cassette version, year unknown]
Current Availability: ???
--- _Harpes du nouvel age_ was released by Keltia III in [1986?]. It contains
two extended pieces which are extended "medleys" of traditional
music, new age, and experimental sounds: "Musique sacree" and
"Rory Dall's Love Tune." This was the first Stivell album to be
initially released on CD.
Keltia III [???] [initial French release on CD, vinyl, and cassette]
Rounder 3094 [initial and current American release]
Current availability: Presumably available in France on CD and
cassette. Available in the U.S. on CD and cassette from
Rounder. Not available in Canada.
--- _The Mist of Avalon_ was released in 1991 under the Keltia III label. The
album contains sixteen songs about the Arthurian legends: "La Dame
du Lac," "Morgan," "Camaalot (Hymn I), "Guenievre," "Le Chant de
Taliesin," "La Blessure d'Arthur," "Le Val sans Retour," "Balenton,"
"Olwen," "Quest ," "An Advod," "Horses on the Hills," "Strink ar
Graal," "From Avallac'h," "Gaelic Tribes Gathering," and "The Return
(Hymn II)."
Disques Dreyfus 191 010-4, PY 581 [French cassette release]
Current Availability: Available in France as a CD and cassette from
Disques Dreyfus. Not available in the U.S or Canada.
--- _Again_ was released under the Keltia III by Disques Dreyfus in 1993. It
contains new versions of 17 Stivell favorites: "Suite sudarmoricaine,"
"An dro/Tha mi sgith," "Ar an garraig/Telenn Wad," "The Foggy Dew,"
"Suzy MacGuire," "Suite irlandaise," "Spered hollvedel," "Son ar
chistr," "Marv ma mestrez," "Kimiad," "Suite des montagnes," "Metig,"
"Pop-Plinn," "Ba-ha-dans-plinn," "O'Neil's March/The King of the
Faeries," "Ian Morrison Reel," and "Tri mortolod." Stivell has
enlisted the aid a number of guest musicians on this disk, including
Kate Bush and Shane McGowan.
Disques Dreyfus 518 393-2 [French CD release]
Mercury 518393 [German CD release[
Current availability: Available in France and Germany on CD and
cassette. Not available in the U.S or Canada.
--- _Alan Stivell_, part of the "Gravure universelle/Enregistrements
originaux" series released by Impact records in 1982. It contains the
following eleven songs: "Maro Ma Mestrez," "Marig ar Pollanton,"
"Ian Morrison Reel, " Tenval An Diez," "An Hani A Garan," "Suite
Irlandaise," "Suzy MacGuire," "Brezhoneg' Raok," "Metig, " Eliz Iza,"
and"Marv Pontkalleg."
Impact 6886 168 [French vinyl release]
Current Availability: Unknown
--- _Alan Stivell_, part of the "Master Serie" series released by Poly-
ram France in 1991. It contains the following sixteen songs:
"Ian Morrison Reel," "Tri Mortolod," "Susy MacGuire," "Reflets,"
Pop Plinn," "She Moved Through the Fair," Can y Melynydd,"
"The Wind of Keltia," "Suite Sudarmoricaine," "Suite des Montagnes,"
"Ys," "Eliz Iza," "Broceliande," "Marig Ar Pollanton," "Brezhoneg'
Raok," and "Suite Irlandaise"
Polygram 846 648-2 [French CD release]
Current Availabilty: Available in France on CD and cassette from
Polygram. There is no domestic release in the U.S. or in Canada,
but it is regularly available as an import.
--- _Celtic Rock_ was released by Vertigo records in 1976 and apparently
contains most of the same songs as the "Master Serie" compilation.
I do not have a song list for this.
Vertigo 6325 251 [???]
Current Availability: Unknown
--- _"Grands Succes"_ is a two record set released by Fontana. The songs
contained on the album were all released betwen 1970 and 1974,
but there is no date on the album itself. The album contains twenty-
three songs: "Ian Morrisson Reel," "Tri Martolod," "Susy MacGuire,"
"Reflets," "Sally Free and Easy," "The King of the Fairies," "Pop
Plinn," "She Moved Through the Fair," "Can Y Melinydd," "The
Wind of Keltia," "Je Suis Ne' au Milieu de la Mer," "Suite
Sudarmoricaine," "Suite des Montagnes," "Ys," "Eliz Iza," "An Dro
Nevez," "Metig," "Broceliande," "Marig ar Pollanton," "Brezhoneg'
Raok," "Bal Fisel," "Ne Bado Ket Atao," and "Suite Irlandaise."
Fontana 6680 004 [a French release]
Current Availability: Unknown
--- _Le Disque d'or d'Alan Stivell_ was released by Fontana in [1974?] I
presume it is a compilation, but I have no information about it
other than it's title and its number.
Fontana 6325 352 [a French release]
Current Availability: Unknown
--- _Renaissance of the Celtic Harp_ is a 2-CD set from Fontana. It contains
Stivell's first three albums: _Reflets_, _Renaissance of the Celtic
Harp_, and _Chemins de Terre_. I believe this is a German-only
release.
Fontana 834845/834846 [a German 2-CD release]
Current Availability: Available on CD (and presumably cassette) in
Germany from Fontana. Not available anywhere else.
--- _Suzy MacGuire_ was released by Impact in 1978. It may be the same
collection of songs as on the"Gravure universelle/Enregistrements
originaux" compilation mentioned above, but I have not seen a song
list for it.
Impact 6886 122 [???]
Current Availability: Unknown
--- _A New Age in Music-- Sampler_, was released by Polygram Canada in
1986. It contains an excerpt of "Gaeltacht" from _Renaissance de
l'harpe celtique_. It also includes music by Kitaro, John Themis,
Johannes Schmoelling, Michael Rother, Rick Wakeman, Tom Newman,
Claire Hamill, Durutti Column, Tim Cross, Stephen Caudel and
Dashiell Rae.
Polygram Canada 830 459-1/830 459-4
--- Bagad Bleimor, _Bagad Bleimor_, Kelitia Musique, KMCD 12, M307,
released in 1990, but originally recorded under the auspices of
Keltia III in 1974. Bagad Bleimor is a drum and bombarde en-
semble that plays traditional Breton and Irish folk songs. ("Bagad,"
by the way, is Breton for "pipe band.") According to the liner notes,
Stivell was a leading member of the group during the seventies,
when this was recorded. He also produced the record. The album
contains a version of "Eliz Iza" (a folk song that Stivell recorded
on _Renaissance of the Celtic harp_) as well as a song called
"Sonerian Bleimor," whose authorship is credited to Alan Cochevelou,
which is, of course, Alan Stivell's original name. I do not know
whether this might be a very early song of Stivell's or whether he
decided, for whatever reason, to briefly return to using his original
name. (I think the former is much more likeley.)
--- Kate Bush, _The Sensual World_, Columbia CK 44164, released in 1989.
Stivell plays harp and sings backing vocals on "Between a Man and
a Woman."
--- Andree Le Gouil, [four singles]. Because these were recorded so early
in Stivell's career and are extremely rare, these were discussed above
in the section on Early Recordings.
The first is a video that Stivell released called _Alan Stivell in Concert_. It was released by Shanachie on their Ramblin' line of videos sometime in the 1980's. It's an hour-long performance with just Stivell and a guitarist (who also picks up the occasional percussion instrument.) The performance appears to have been from the early eighties, although the song selection and the style is much more traditional than the stuff Stivell was writing at that time. The video includes "Son ar Chistr," "Silvestrig," "Ys," "The King of the Fairies," "The Foggy Dew," "Stok Ouz an Enez," "Tri Martolod," parts 1 and 2 of "Gaeltacht" and a few other songs. I do not know anything about its current availability. I have heard about another videotape that consists of an interview with Stivell, interspersed with live versions of various songs. (When I get more details on that, I'll update the discography.)
The second is a book called _Racines interdites_. (The English translation of the title would be _Forbidden Roots_). The book is a set of interviews with Stivell that were conducted by Jacques Erwan and Marc Legras in 1978. Only one third of the book actually deals with music at all-- and only one chapter is devoted to Stivell's own music. More than anything else, the book is a "catechism" of Breton culture. A good part of it consists of Stivell's detailed answers to very basic questions about the Breton language, Breton history, and even Breton geography-- questions like "Are there many different dialects of the Breton language?" and "From what age do the menhirs date?" Still, the chapters on Stivell's music can be quite enlightening. The book also contains the lyrics for 17 of Stivell's songs in the back: "Gwriziad difennet," "Reflets," "Broceliande," "The Wind of Keltia," "Je suis ne au milieu de la mer," "An alarc'h," "The Foggy Dew," "Pardon Spezed," "Brezhoneg' raok," "Delivrance," "Digor eo an hent," "Hommes liges des talus en transes," "Ar Gelted kozh," "Rouantelezh Vreizh," "Dugelezh Vreizh," "Emsawadegou," "Fin an naontegwed katwed," "Eil lodenn an ugentwed kantwed," "Da Ewan," and "Naw Breton 'ba' prizon." All songs whose lyrics are in English or in Breton are accompanied by translations into French. _Racines interdites_ was published as part of the "Musiques et Musiciens" series published by Editions Jean-Claude Lattes in 1979, and in bibliographical catalogues, Stivell is listed as the author. There have not been any translations.
-- Jim C.
==========================================================================
| James A. Chokey jchokey@leland.stanford.edu |
| |
| Alas! Coquettes are but too rare. |
| -- Disraeli |
==========================================================================