Devachan Music - Recordings & Merchandise

Initial reactions to Crazy Faith

"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."

Alison Krauss

"It's love's whole mess he's talking about here; and it's personal, and universal, and unafraid. I love the spare arrangements; the tight, lovely harmonies; the beautiful winding, twisting melodies; the words and phrases that wind and twist along the same path; and the way that Mark, as a songwriter, both acknowledges his connection to tradition and builds on it."

Alice Gerrard (from the album introduction)

"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 is one of these people, and with the help of producer and master fiddler Bruce Molsky, as well as a stellar assortment of musicians, he's 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 itwill open a door to an entire world of possibilities that were previouslyobscured by the flim-flam of the music industry. One hopes that this sort of thing might do for traditional American music what folks like Christy Moore didfor the Irish; in any case, it's a joyful occurrence for the likes of me, and for many more, I suspect. Mark's the real deal."

Bob Franke

"With the release of Crazy Faith, Mark Simos proves himself a preeminent American songwriter. Listeners will be drawn into a place of sanity, sanctity, and profound revelation, and will find themselves in the presence of a thinking, feeling, deeply human writer with that rare ability to face himself with honesty and humility and to tell us truths about ourselves. Produced by Bruce Molsky with their traditional roots firmly intact, these fourteen resonant, masterfully crafted songs ring with stark beauty and haunting after-images. Mr. Simos' lyrics, chords, and melodies go in startling, unexpected directions. Like life. Small wonder so many big names in traditional music record his diamonds."

Geoff Bartley, September 13, 2003

"Welcome to heaven, here's your harp; welcome to Hell, here's your Mark Simos chord chart!"

Tom Rozum, mandolin and harmony vocals on Crazy Faith

What Listeners Are Saying

"I love it when songs get into my skin, my heart, my soul. Mark's songs make that delicious intrusion."

David Lynch

I've always been a big fan of Mark Simos' original songs and stunning musicianship. What a treat to have this collection of gems out in the world. Simos conveys the essence of loving and losing in melodic lines harmonized with surprising poignancy. These songs have staying power.

Maggie Holtzberg, Folk Arts & Heritage Program Manager, Massachusetts Cultural Council

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