Music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
- Mark has just released (Summer '07) the final volume of a trilogy of traditional and original old-time fiddle music:
The Cliffhangers: On the Edge; (2006)
Clifftop Notes, Vol, 1; (2006)
Clifftop Notes, Vol. 2: Big Ears. (2007)
Music Supervisors please note: one-stop licensing for both compositions and master recordings are available for all Mark's instrumental recordings on Clifftop Notes Vol. 1 and 2, all original instrumental compositions in the style of traditional Appalachian old-time fiddle music (with some contemporary twists!). (Also available for Race the River Jordan, below.)
- Mark’s 1995 debut solo album, Race the River Jordan (Yodel-Ay-Hee CD017), original fiddle tunes in a Southern old-time style, garnered critical acclaim and frequent radio play on traditional music programs.
- After many other artists had recorded his songs and tunes, in 2003 Mark released an album of his own songs, Crazy Faith (Devachan CD4347), produced by Bruce Molsky, and featuring Bruce, Tom Rozum, Sally Van Meter, Ronnie Simpkins and other great players. Two songs from this album, including the title track, were recorded by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Songwriter Bob Franke says of Crazy Faith:
“Every now and then you run into an artist who has spent enough time with traditional music to learn its spiritual as well as its musical lessons, and to use that learning to forge an art that is at once timeless and utterly contemporary. Mark Simos has put together a stunning collection of songs demonstrating that art. Traditionalists who listen to this recording are going to get their hearts stretched, and somewhere out there there's a young singer-songwriter for whom it will open a door to an entire world of possibilities that were previously obscured by the flim-flam of the music industry… Mark's the real deal.”
- A member of fiddle ensemble Childsplay, Mark’s orchestral fiddle compositions have been centerpieces of each of the band’s three albums:
- 12-Gated City
- The Great Waltz
- Childsplay: Live
- Heaven and Earth
Photos
Bio
Pioneer “neo-traditionalist” Mark Simos—songwriter, “tunesmith” and composer, fiddler, accompanist, and educator—combines long apprenticeship in varied roots music traditions with continuing willingness to stretch forms and take musical risks. Widely known as a songwriter, he’s had more than 50 songs recorded by prominent Americana, bluegrass and folk artists including Alison Krauss and Union Station, the Del McCoury Band, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum among others. Alison Krauss says: “Mark Simos is a remarkable songwriter. He's one of those rare people who knows what words sound good together, and his lyrics are just as unique as his melodies. I never stop being amazed at his songs, and I'm never surprised that I love another one.”
As a tunesmith, Mark’s self-styled “traditional tunes from imaginary countries” have entered the repertoire of many players in the Celtic, old-time, and contra-dance scenes. Mark’s larger-scale works, such as the cello piece “Rakish Paddy’s Departure” composed for the 2006 Irish Cultural Centre Commission, build on and extend traditional forms and materials. Dr. Mick Moloney calls Mark “a musician’s musician… one of the few musicians I know equally at home in the often incompatible roles of traditionalist and innovator.” Mark is currently Asst. Professor in Songwriting at Berklee College of Music.
Mark has recently been collaborating with choreographers, including the innovative ensemble UnBeaten Path, NY dancer/choreographer Darrah Carr, Daniel McCusker and Molly Gawler.
Links
