Artist description Magna Carta is now Chris and Linda Simpson, sometimes using a bass player, sometimes a full band, mostly performing as just two.

Music Style Acoustic

Musical Influences The Beatles, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan

Similar Artists Paul Simon, Joni Mitchel, Bob Dylan,

Artist History Chris, a Yorkshire Dalesman with an instantly recognisable 'down home' vocal formed MAGNA CARTA in 1969 whilst living in London. A combination of luck and opportunism saw them secure a deal to record their first album "Magna Carta". After that came "Seasons" with it's international hit track "Airport Song". This was speedily followed by "In Concert", and "Songs from Wasties Orchard", featuring Davey Johnstone, Elton John's longest running sideman. The next album was the highly acclaimed "Lord of the Ages", which, with it's Roger Dean cover design was Magna's "Sergeant Pepper", referred to by some critics as one of the finest albums of it's kind ever made. It is also the subject of a book in Europe. Throughout this time MAGNA CARTA toured continuously, from the Albert Hall to Kensington Palace; from Kathmandu to St Moritz, the road stretching through clubs, festivals, concert halls and Radio and TV shows too numerous to mention. The journey claimed it's casualties though, resulting in a number of line-up changes, but that special something that is MAGNA CARTA carried on regardless. 10 albums were made for Phonogram and one tour of Holland consisted of 63 dates - a record at that time. Chris wrote the music for a Scottish BBC TV series and MAGNA CARTA played for Royalty at the London Palladium and Den Haag and in any number of prestigious International events around the world.In the early 80's two new albums were made "Midnight Blue" and "No truth in the Rumour". Punk had crashed onto the stages and into the ears of the world and even the best of acoustic music seemed under threat. It was against this background that in 1983 Chris met the then Linda Taylor at Pennine Radio. Now, Chris and Linda are MAGNA CARTA. They are the heart, soul and driving force behind one of the world's finest and certainly most long lived acoustic acts. On stage, whether alone or in the company of other fine musicians, they can hypnotise an audience with a repertoire drawn from some 25 albums; a repertoire which allows their inimitable guitar sound and style and Linda's superb voice and woodwind playing to come together in that special blend that is so unique.Chris wrote the songs and together they sang them .Between '84 and '86 they worked extensively in the Middle East and the MAGNA CARTA that we now know first came into being. It might have been a short lived collaboration however, as upon their return to England in '86, Chris and Linda could have gone their separate ways had not fate decreed otherwise. CD's were making their presence felt in the market place, and with the new format came the a world wide interest in catalogue material, something that MAGNA CARTA had in abundance. The "Unplugged" acoustic revival had also begun leading to the "One to One’ CD being recorded for Tembo Records. In 1990 Chris and Linda returned to Europe and in Holland, MAGNA CARTA began their ascent all over again cutting two new CD's, "Heartlands" and the live "State of the Art". With re - releases of Magna classics selling well on CD and the 1980's recording of "Highway to Spain" still on the BBC playlists, compilations of their material surfaced all over the world and they started on a new phase of the journey, travelling extensively for the British Council interspersing sold - out concerts with lectures, workshops, Radio and TV appearances. Their music could now truly be called International. MAGNA CARTA have now performed in 70 countries around the globe. They have worked with the best - and on occasions, the worst. Their story is one of the most unique in the contemporary music business; from the deserts to the sea; through the cities and the heartlands and around the world, their dales - based music has been heard.1999 was Magna Carta’s thirtieth year. Universal released the 1st ,2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th album from the Phonogram days. HTD released, ‘State of the Art’ , ’Midnight Blue’ and ‘Live in Grassington’ - the latter was recorded live at the 1998 Grassington Festival.2000. Universal, Holland released a double CD entitled ‘Where to Now’.HTD released ‘Evergreen’ - a live collection recorded in July ’99, spanning the musical life of Magna Carta, and re-released ‘One to One’, re-titled ‘Rings Around the Moon’.In Holland, at the close of 1999, on a country-wide poll, Radio 2 listeners voted ‘Airport Song’ into the top 2000 singles of the century - it came in at 930 above such tracks as ‘Day Tripper’ by the Beatles.2001In the same poll they had three tracks – better positions too.They are recording a new studio album in February and they will be performing at The Royal Theater Carré later in the year when the album is released. Chris's voice, like his songs, is tried and tested by the road and his guitar playing goes from strength to strength, a style recently described as “one you could recognise from the other side of a football pitch".The songs speak for themselves and come from the heart - for there is no other way.The accolade "star" is much over used these days but when one describes Linda no other word will do. She will draw you into her performance with the effortless grace of one who knows exactly what she is doing on a stage.Together this combination can only have one description - unique.

Group Members Chris SimpmsonLinda Simpson

Instruments Two acoustic guitars and two vocals

Albums Magna Carta, Seasons, Lord of the Ages, Wastie's Orchard,In Concert,Martin's Cafe,Putting it back Together,Prisoners on the Line, Live in Bergen, Midnight Blue, Sweet Deceiver, Spotlight on Magna Carta,Greatest Hits 1, Greatest Hits 2, No Truth in the Rumour, Listen to the Man, One to One, Old Masters/New Horizons, Heartlands,State of the Art, Live at the BBC, Milestones, Magna Carta (CD), In Concert (CD), Live in Grassington(CD), Midnight Blue (CD), Lord of the Ages/Martin's Cafe (double CD), Seasons/Wasties Orchard (doubleCD), Evergreen, Forever, Where to Now?

Location Grassington, North Yorkshire - United Kingdom

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