Mansour (singer)
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| منصور Mansour |
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 Mansour
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mansour Jafari Mamaghani |
| Born | July 29, 1970  Tehran, Iran |
| Genre(s) | Pop Dance Rock Disco |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Actor, Composer, Fashion Designer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar & Keyboard |
| Years active | 1991 – present |
| Label(s) | Taraneh Records Caltex Records MZM Records |
| Website | http://MansourMusic.com |
Mansour (Persian: منصور , born 29 July 1970) is one of the most famous, popular and effective Persian Musical Artists ever.[citation needed] From a new generation of rising singers of the exiled Iranian community based in Southern California, he is now ranked as one of the top male singers of the Iranian music scene.[citation needed] Beside Iran, he also has a fan base in Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan and to a limited extent Uzbekistan and Russia.[citation needed]
Despite the Iranian government’s restrictions on pop music, he has nevertheless been able to eclipse other singers in gaining a wide recognition in that country.[citation needed] Equally popular among both men and women, his songs now serve various ceremonial openings of events, such as soccer games, weddings and private parties.[citation needed] Due to the lively nature of his music that has engaged and absorbed the youth of Iran, he is now permanently banned from returning or performing for any reason in that country.[citation needed]
His newest album called Ghashangeh was released in February 2007. [1]
[edit] Background
[edit] Early years
Mansour was born in Tehran, Iran. Little is known of his early childhood years, though he was said to be an artistic child. Nothing is said of his propensity for music or singing at this time; however, it is speculated that with the war with Iraq at its climax, the psychology of most Iranians, young and old, was inhibited. With the devastating effects of the war and the restrictions of the clerical regime, his large family immigrated to the United States when Mansour was young.
According to his official website, Mansour couldn't sing in his school choir after he and his family re-established their life in California. He was said to take every opportunity to sing traditional Iranian songs that he said gave him inspiration. Besides his school performances, he is also said to be active among his circle of friends and also the exiled community of Southern California for whom he performed at various events gaining recognition as an amateur singer.
[edit] Initiation
Before high school, Mansour decided to pursue singing professionally. He started providing backup vocals on stage and in the studio for other professional recording artists. From the experience of participating in a recording studio, he learned about album recording processes and also music industry as a whole. It was also here that he met composers, writers and music arrangers who later would compile music for the amateur singer.
In 1991, Mansour embarked on recording his first album. A project that would eventually take three years to complete, the debutante is said to spend much time in preparation to refine his voice and vocal techniques under rigorous training lessons. He also insisted on hand-picking the producers, lyricists and arrangers for this album, all of which he financed from the revenues of a pager and cell phone store that he owned.
[edit] First album
In August 1994, Mansour’s debut album Ferferehayeh Bi Baad (started in 1991) was released through Caltex Records. Labeled as fresh and different for its upbeat and electronic pop textures, it garnered the attention of the new generation of Persian speaking youths of exiled Iranians who had become accustomed to Western music of similar type and thus easily accepted this mode of style into the Iranian music . In this album , Mansour works with some of the greatest persian musicians such as : Siavash Ghomayshi, Abdi Yamini, Hassan Shamaeizadeh & Manouchehr Cheshmazar . And also famous Lyricists Like : Shahyar Ghanbari, Homayoun Hooshyarnejad & Masoud Fardmanesh .
[edit] 3 Other Classic Albums
With the success of his first album, the pace for the singer picked up with the release of three other albums : Tasvir Akhar (1996), Daricheh (1997) and Ghayegheh Kaghazi (1998). All of these were similar to his initial work in emphasizing upbeat pop and a few number of singles from these albums became dance club hits . Some of the better known tracks of his career in this period were : Sokooteh Shekasteh & Tasvireh Akhar (From The Tasvireh Akhar Album) . Jashneh Setarehaa , Daricheh & Aghousheh To (From The Daricheh Album) & Parandehaaye Bi Vataan (Also Known as Nazanin) , Chashmeh Siat & Yaadeh To (From The Ghayegheh Kaghazi Album) .
[edit] Faghat Be Khatereh To (Only 4 U)
In 1999, Mansour started his collaboration with Brian Wayy (Real Name : Farhad Morfah) composer/producer & Paksima Zakipour as the lyrecist and embarked on task of songwriting and compiled his fifth album: Only For You (Faghat Be Khatereh To). When the album was officially released in March of 2000, it was as much a commercial success as it was a critical acclaim. Surprising the critics who had dismissed the notion of the singer as a professional songwriter, he garnered positive reviews from venues around the world. The title song of this album became a huge hit, creating a trend among Iranian men of dedicating this song to their beloved. Thanks to Brian Wayy that changed his entire sound by his productions, he produced over 60 cd's for the most populer Persian singers including american artists like Doanna Ross, Rod Stewart, Paula Abdul, Syevie B and many others.
Supported by its lively, vivid videos, this album officially introduced Mansour’s face to the public and made all his Cds household items. Almost an overnight celebrity both to Iranians inside and outside of Iran, his name became synonymous with jubilation. His voice omnipresent at Parties, TV and Radio Stations, Stadiums and even presiding over Nightclubs of LA’s and Europe’s dance clubs, he shot to fame with acceleration as fans enthusiastically searched the internet for scraps of the singer's photographs . The album have a amount of hit songs such as : Faghat Be Khatereh To (Also the album's title) , Eshgheh Atashy (Composed By Persian Pop Music Singer/Musician Legend : Siavash Ghomayshi) , Entezaar & Vaghty Nisti . & Also An Afghan Music Theme song titled : Chashmaan Siah that is so popular Across Afghanistan .
[edit] Zendegy (Life)
December 2001 saw the release of Mansour’s sixth album Zendegy (Life). This was his second collaboration with Brian Wayy & Paksima Zakipour and the third album release with Taraneh Records (That was Mansour's Comeback to Taraneh Records after working with Caltex Records for 3 years & 2 Albums) . Growing long hair coupled with a beard and moustache(the jesus look) , he had reinvented himself with a new image . Surprising his fans who could barely distinguish the soft features of the singer, he indicated he had based his look on the requirement of his film work that he was also concurrently following . Mansour tries Spanish Music Theme on this record on Tracks like Dooset Daram , Bebin , Khodi & Rock theme With his highly successful Hit : Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood . & Even some Indian Music Theme in Most Greatest Hit of the album : Zendegy (That was also the album's name)
[edit] "America So Beautiful"
Just when Mansour’s fame was gaining momentum in 1999, independent filmmaker Babak Shokrian approached the singer to play the lead in the film America So Beautiful . The filming of this movie overlapped his work on his fifth album, and he talks of this period of his life as one of the most stressful as he took on the challenge of acting and singing full course. America So Beautiful played at film festivals in Berlin, Marrakech, Gothenburg and Los Angeles, gaining positive reviews and accolades .
[edit] "Divooneh" & The International Fame
In November 2002, Mansour seventh music album Divooneh (Crazy) was released and spilled his popularity into other Persian speaking countries, notably Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Two huge hit singles of this album Azize Delami and Divooneh writen by Mansour (Music), Paksima Zakipour(Words) attracted audiences as far as Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Turkey Both songs Lyricist were Paksima Zakipour . The Album was the most Highly successful album , in Commerical & Critical sides , of the year & one of the most favoratable & successful albums of persian music industry ever. This album is Mansour's best-selling album of his career to date & 2th best-selling album of his Record Label Taraneh Records ever behind The classic album of Persian Music Legend Moein , Titled BibiGol (1988) . All the songs were Greatest Hits of 2002-2003 in Persian Music Industry . The hits of this album Include rest of the album : One of the Most successful hits in persian industry that even use as an encourage for Soccer Teams in Iran's Stadiums: Divooneh (That was also the album's title) , Great Dance Hit : Bezan Berim , Most Emotional song in the album with Rock Music theme & Guitar : Ghararemoon Yadet Nareh , Afghan Music theme song : Azize Delami , High successful hit of the album with Arabian Music theme : Mano Bebakhsh , 6/8 Persian Dance Beat : Bad Akhlagh & Great Techno , Trance & Disco Track , Even with some elements of Arabian Music Instrumentals : Delam Faghat Toro Mikhad . There's Also A track titled : Taraneh Bi Taraneh that was write by famous & popular Persian Musician Babak Bayat (R.I.P.) & lyric of Babak Sahraee , but this song couldn't bee successful like other tracks of the album because Mansour Didn't make the song's Music Video for some Reasons . (This is the only song on this album that don't have a Music Video)
[edit] Patriotism & Recent Involvements
In memory of the 2003 Bam Earthquake in southwestern Iran, Mansour co-wrote the song Eidi Nadaram with words of Babak Rouzbeh & Arrangement of Fred Mirza and released the accompanying video in spring of 2004. The song was intended to be only a direct-to-video release but due to overwhelming audience response, he decided to include it in his upcoming album (Farari).
[edit] "Farari"
After 3 Highly Successful Albums (Faghat Be Khatereh To , Zendegy & Divooneh) Mansour released his long awaited & high anticipated album that Would Be Called Farari (Fugitive), In March 2005 . All Mansour's fans were shocked when they realized that Paksima Zakipour (Lyricist of Mansour's Most successfull Hits) & Bryan Wayy (Arranger & Composer of some Mansour's Greatest Hits) Didn't Appear on His new Project, Farari . On Farari , there were 5 Lyrics from Babak Rouzbeh & Two from Homa Mirafshar & Babak Sahraee & Arrangements from Elton Farokh Ahi , Manoochehr Cheshmazar & Fred Mirza . Mansour talks about a song with Lyrics of Famous Persian Lyricist Masoud Fardmanesh In The Farari Album , but this "Untitled" song Didn't appear in the Final Tracklist on the album & never been Released . The album was one of the top sellers in Persian Industry , Even reached Number 4 in Top 5 Music Top Sellers In Virgin Megastores Across Middle East , After Names Such as 50 Cent , Moby & Jennifer Lopez [2] . But the album wasn't Well Received By the Critics & Also His Die Hard Fans . They Believe that The album is a Weaker Version of "Divooneh" & The Melodies don't have anything new to say . But the album have a lot of Hits like Mansour's 3 Past albums , Hits Like : Arezoomeh , Farari , Shirin , Mikhamet , Successful Turkish Music Theme hit : Mara Beboos . & Also Azaadi (Freedom) (This song was Interpreted Politically for its doubtful lyric, that Mansour Denied himself) .
[edit] Mansour's Essentials
Mansour is working on his own fargrances too , Mansour Fragrances (For Men & Women) , T-Shirts & Other things that will available soon are all under his bussiness agreement with Mansour USA Company . Mansour released his own Fragrance on 29 December 2006 at Dubai's Paris Gallery . For more information Visit Mansour's Fragrances Official Website : MansourUSA.com [3]
[edit] "Beautiful" (Ghashangeh)
Mansour Released his last album (Ghashangeh-Beautiful) with Lyrics Of Babak Rouzbeh and Arrangements of his longtime partners Fred Mirza & Manouchehr Cheshmazar , & for the first time Erwin Khachikian (Arranger of Most successfull Hits of Persian Pop Legend Siavash Ghomayshi & Member of the famous American-Armenian Rock Band Slow Motion Reign) & Schubert Avakian (One Of the most famous Persian Hitmakers & Member of the Successful Persian Pop Group Black Cats)On February 2007 . Mansour was Composer & Producer of all Tracks on the album for the first time in his career . The album was Well received by Critics (Better Than Farari but not like Divooneh, Zendegy Or Faghat Be Khatereh To) & also have huge Commerical Success . This album made a record & was the #1 seller on Eworldrecords.com Online Store [4] For Over 9 Months , Mansour was used some new Genres on this album such as Indian Music (On Dooneh Dooneh & Ghashangeh) or Brazilian Music (On Daado Bidaad) & Disco/Trance (On Baazi) .
[edit] Mansour & Dariush Tour
After success of Ghashangeh Album , Mansour went to a Concert Tour with one of Persian Music Legends , Dariush Eghbali for Over One Year . They went to Many Cities across Europe , USA & Canada . The cities such as : Washington , New York , Atlanta , Ohio , Orlando , San Francisco , Frankfurt , Stockholm , Vancouver & ... They Sold Out all of the Concert Halls in their successful tour , they also sold out famous Greek Theater in Los Angeles With Over 5,700 seat & Also Dubai Tennis Stadium with Over 8,000 Capacity . The tour was one of most successfull tours of the past years in Persian Industry. The Tour was ended in Early 2008 .
[edit] Mansour's New Album
Mansour is now working Hard on his new album that is his 10th Studio Album since 1994 (Ferferehaaye Bibaad) and Cooperate Again with Paksima Zakipour On The Lyrics of his New Album (& Also Babak Rouzbeh). Mansour says in an Interview with Behzad Bolour , BBC Reporter, that the album will release on Lately 2008 (Anounced October 2008). Mansour is Also working with Erwin Khachikian & Schubert Avakian on Arrangements of the New Album (After Success of their Arrangements on Ghashangeh-Beautiful Album) . The Rumours say that the album is so Diffrent than Mansour's Last projects . Schubert Avakian , One of the Arrangers of the album says that "There's some New Materials on the album" , He also said : "I'm working on 2 Tracks on Mansour's New project . one of them is a 6/8 (Persian Dance Rhythm) Great song & The other is an Emotional-Slow Song , With Piano Theme ." All Mansour fans waiting for October 2008 & Release of Mansour's 10th Studio Album .
[edit] References
- BBC Persian. Seventh Day: Mansour. August 6, 2004.
- BBC Persian. Picture Album of Dubai's Concert: Mansour. April 2, 2004.
- Mansour Fans Weblog. Mansour's Pics In Frankfurt 2007.27 October 2007.
- Mansour Fans Weblog. Mansour & Dariush Concert Tizer.
- Mansour Fans Weblog. More Info About Mansour's New Video "Beautiful".
- Mansour Fans Weblog. Download Mansour's Concert Videos In Las Vegas 2007.
- Mansour Fans Weblog. Download Mansour's New Video - Ghashangeh (Beautiful).
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio Albums
With Taraneh Records
- 2008: 10th Studio Album (Release Date : October 2008)
- 2007: Ghashangeh (Beautiful) [12]
- 2005: Farari (Fugitive) [13]
- 2002: Divooneh (Crazy) [14]
- 2001: Zendegy (Life) [15]
- 1997: Daricheh [16]
- 1996: Tasvir Akhar [17]
With Caltex Records
[edit] Live Albums
With MZM Records
- 1996: Mansour Live In Concert [20]
[edit] DVDs/Music Videos
- 2007: Only For You DVD (Music Videos Of "Faghat Be Khatereh To" Album) [21]
- 2005: Farari DVD (Music Videos Of "Divooneh" & Some Music Videos From "Farari" , Include In "Farari" Album Package) [22]
- 2001: Life ... On The Road DVD (Music Videos Of "Zendegy" Album) [23]
[edit] Guest appearances
- Black Cats (Feat. Mansour) - Gole Yakh (Remake of Persian Famous Song with the same Name , Original Singer Is Kourosh Yaghmaei)
- Mahasti (R.I.P.) & Hayedeh (R.I.P.) (Feat. Mansour) - Vedaa (Shabeh Eshgh) (Remake of Persian Famous song from Legendry Hayedeh (R.I.P.) By her Sister Mahasti , She sings this song in the memory of her lately sister , after her tragical death, In this song Mansour just sing in the Choruses, Mansour's part in Original song was performed By Persian Pop Legend Ebi)
[edit] Filmography
- 1999: America So Beautiful [24]
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