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Mansour (singer)

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Mansour
SpouseSogol (2008-present)

Mansour (Persian: منصور, born 28 July 1971) is a contemporary Persian musical artist. 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, Russia and Sweden.[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]

Background

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, small part of his family immigrated to the United States when Mansour was young.

Initiation

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.

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 and Manouchehr Cheshmazar. And also famous lyricists like : Shahyar Ghanbari, Homayoun Hooshyarnejad and Masoud Fardmanesh .

Other 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" and "Tasvireh Akhar" (from Tasvireh Akhar). "Jashneh Setarehaa" , "Daricheh" and "Aghousheh To" (from Daricheh) and "Parandehaaye Bi Vataan" (also known as "Nazanin") , "Chashmeh Siat" and "Yaadeh To" (from Ghayegheh Kaghazi).

Faghat Be Khatereh To (Only For You)

In 1999, Mansour started his collaboration with Brian Wayy composer/producer and Paksima Zakipour as the lyricist 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 2000, it was as much a commercial success as it was a critical success. 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 who changed his entire sound by his productions, he produced over 60 CDs for the most popular Persian singers including American artists like Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Paula Abdul, Stevie 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 has a number of hit songs such as : "Faghat Be Khatereh To" (also the album's title), "Eshgheh Atashy" (composed by Persian pop singer/musician legend Siavash Ghomayshi) , "Entezaar" and "Vaghty Nisti", and also an Afghan Music theme song titled : "Chashmaan Siah" that is so popular across Afghanistan.

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 .

Zendegi (Life)

December 2001 saw the release of Mansour's sixth album Zendegi (Life). This was his second collaboration with Brian Wayy and Paksima Zakipour and the third album release with Taraneh Records (That was Mansour's comeback to Taraneh Records after working with Caltex Records for three years and two 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 the film work that he was also concurrently following. Mansour tries Spanish Music theme on this record on tracks like "Dooset Daram", "Bebin", "Khodi" and a rock theme on his highly successful hit: "Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood", and even some Indian Music theme in the greatest hit of the album: "Zendegi" (which was also the album's name).

Divooneh and international fame

In November 2002, Mansour's 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," written by Brian Wayy & Mansour (music) and Paksima Zakipour (lyrics) attracted audiences from as far away as Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Turkey. The album was the most highly successful album, in both commercial and critical sides, of the year and one of the most favorite and successful albums of the Persian music industry ever. This album is Mansour's best-selling album of his career to date and also second best-selling album of his record label (Taraneh Records) ever, behind the classic album of Persian music legend Moein, titled Bibi Gol (1988). All the songs were greatest hits of 2002-2003 in the Persian music industry. The hits of this album include: "Divooneh", one of the most successful hits in the Persian industry that is even used as pep music for soccer teams in Iran's stadiums;written and produced by Brian Wayy "Bezan Berim," a great dance hit;by Brian Wayy most emotional song in the album with Rock music and Guitar theme : "Ghararemoon Yadet Nareh," Afghan Music theme song: "Azize Delami," Highly successful hit of the album with Arabian Music theme: "Mano Bebakhsh;" 6/8 Persian Dance Beat: "Bad Akhlagh" and great Techno, Trance and Disco tracks, even with some elements of Arabian Music Instruments : "Delam Faghat Toro Mikhad." There's also a track titled "Taraneh Bi Taraneh" that was written by famous and popular Persian musician Babak Bayat (R.I.P.) and the lyrics of Babak Sahraee, but this song wasn't successful like other tracks of the album because Mansour did not complete making of the song's music video for unknown reasons (this is the only song on the album that doesn't have a music video).

Patriotism and recent involvements

In memory of the 2003 Bam earthquake in southwestern Iran, Mansour co-wrote the song "Eidi Nadaram" with words by Babak Rouzbeh and arrangement by 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, Faraari.

Faraari

After three highly successful albums (Faghat Be Khatereh To, Zendegi and Divooneh) Mansour released his long awaited Faraari (The Fugitive) in March 2005. The lyrics were by Babak Rouzbeh (five songs), Homa Mirafshar (two) and Babak Sahraee (one), with arrangements by Elton Ahi, Manoochehr Cheshmazar and Fred Mirza.

Faraari was one of the top sellers in Persian industry that year, reaching #4 at Virgin Megastores' Top 5 across the Middle East, after names such as 50 Cent, Moby and Jennifer Lopez [1]. However, the album was not received well by critics or by his diehard fans, panned as a weaker imitation of Divooneh and lacking in creativity. Nonetheless, the album did have many hits: "Arezoomeh", "Faraari", "Shirin", "Mikhamet" as well as the successful Turkish Music theme hit, "Mara Beboos", and Azaadi (Freedom) which was taken as a political song because it's lyric, although Mansour denied it.

Mansour's Essentials

Mansour is working on his own fragrances too, Mansour Fragrances (For Men and Women), T-shirts and other things that will available soon are all under his business agreement with Mansour USA Company. Mansour released his own fragrance on 29 December 2006 at Dubai's Paris Gallery. For more information visit the official Mansour's Fragrances website. [1]

Beautiful (Ghashangeh)

Mansour Released his 9th Album (Ghashangeh-Beautiful) with lyrics by Babak Rouzbeh and arrangements by his longtime partners Fred Mirza and Manouchehr Cheshmazar, and for the first time Erwin Khachikian (arranger of the most successful hits of Persian pop legend Siavash Ghomayshi and member of the famous American-Armenian rock band Slow Motion Reign) and Schubert Avakian (one of the most famous Persian hitmakers and member of the successful Persian pop group Black Cats). Mansour was composer and producer of all tracks on the album for the first time in his career. The album was well received by critics (better than Faraari but not like Divooneh, Zendegi Or Faghat Be Khatereh To) and also had huge commercial success. This album made a record and was the #1 seller on Eworldrecords Online Store [2] for over 9 months, and one year after release, the album went back on top10 at #8. Mansour used some new genres on this album such as Indian Music ("On Dooneh Dooneh" and "Ghashangeh") or Brazilian Music ("On Daado Bidaad") and Disco/Trance ("On Baazi") beside his regular Rock and 6/8 themed songs.

Mansour & Dariush Tour

After success of Ghashangeh Album , Mansour went on a concert tour with one of Persian Music's 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 and others. They sold out most of the concert halls in this successful tour. they also sold out famous Greek Theater in Los Angeles with over 5,700 seats & also Dubai's Tennis Stadium with over 8,000 capacity. The tour was one of most successful tours of the past years in Persian Industry. The Tour ended in early 2008 .

Janjaali

Mansour's 10th studio album with 10 new tracks was released in March 13 (year 2009). In this album he cooperate again with Paksima Zakipour (his long time partner whom it's her first appearance on Mansour's albums since Divooneh the album) on the lyrics of 2 songs entitled Be Sedaaye Ghalbeh Man Goosh Bedeh and Donyaa Haminjouri Nemimouneh. album's other lyricists are Masoud Fardmanesh, Babak Rouzbeh & Ashkan Rahimi. Mansour has composed 9 of 10 songs in the album and only one song was composed and arranged by Schubert Avakian, the other arrangements are from Erwin Khachikian, Fred Mirza, Manouchehr Cheshmazar and also Vanik Panosian whom is his first official appearance in Persian music and Mansour introduces him with 4 arrangements on Janjaali (the album). First single (music video) of the album titled Mobaarakeh released In October 2009, the lyrics and music video were referred to Mansour's wedding that he celebrated early that month and considered as a personal song among his fans, the music video of this song reached number 8 on PMC Top20. next single was Bikhaabi (Insomnia), a whole different song than Mobaarakeh. this song had a smiliar theme with Nemitouni on his past album and both of these songs are with arrangements of Erwin Khachikian, famous arranger of Persian music industry. the high budget music video of the song was directed by Mehran Ravi and helped this song to be a huge hit in lately 2008 and early 2009 in Iranian music industry, Mansour himself described this music video as a "Cinematic Experience". Bikhaabi's music video was listed among PMC Top20 music videos (only official Persian music chart that based on viewers vote) more than 10 weeks and also 2 weeks at Number One spot. next music videos were Janjaali and Maahi Joon. Maahi Joon is a symbolic song about freedom and social issues, the music video was directed by Siros Kerdouni and like it's critical lyrics has a symbolic and meaningful music video, some of his fans compare this song to Azaadi (Freedom) song in Faraari (the album), Maahi Joon music video reached number 11 on PMC Top20. Mansour also dedicates Daveedamo Daveedam (Mojeh Geraan) (the song) from this album to his wife Sogol. Until September 2009, Mansour also released music videos for the songs Movaazebeh Khodet Baash and Nadidi Too Khaabam from this album. Movaazebeh Khodet Baash music video which was directed by Siros Kerdouni reached number one spot on PMC Top20 music videos, Nadidi Too Khaabam music video was also reached number 11 on Top20.

Iran's Green Movement and Nokia Club controversy

After Iranian presidential election in June 2009 and protests against its results, Mansour recorded a song titled "Nedaye Eshgh". the word "Neda" in the title of this song was used as a symbolic meaning of "calling" for freedom and hope, and also it was the first name of one of the assassinated people in these protests: Neda Agha-Soltan. Mansour also participated in some of the protests which was held in Los Angeles, California.

Despite these activities, when Mansour began promotions for his concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles at 26 September 2009, many people started to criticize his decision to perform at a place with the name of Nokia Company, which have sold monitoring technology devices to Iran's government after protests against election outcomes.[2] Mansour reacted against this critiques and said "Nokia Club is owned by AEG Company and had nothing to do with Nokia" and "the people who started this rumors should respect this holly activities (protests) in Iran and stop to playing games with people's emotions." although this comments, Club Nokia is actually owned by both AEG and Nokia Companies [3], but the planning for this concert was done in months before the Iran's green movements and Nokia's part against protesters, also Nokia was not the sponsor of this concert and the program was presented by Century Records and Goldenvoice Company.[4] Anyway, the opinion of the people whom were objecting against Mansour's decision to hold the program in this place was : "Whether Club Nokia is owned by Nokia or not is irrelevant. The name Nokia has been used for this venue as a way to promote the company, and every piece of print, internet or video/audio advertisement for this concert is a form of promotion for Nokia. By booking this concert at this venue, Mansour (whether deliberately or not) is involved in promoting a company that contributed to the crackdown of peaceful demonstrations in Iran." The concert was done successfully and Mansour also performed "Nedaaye Eshgh" (The song) on the stage.

Discography

Studio albums

With Taraneh Records

  • 1996: Tasvir Akhar
  • 1997: Daricheh
  • 2001: Zendegi (Life)
  • 2002: Divooneh (Crazy)
  • 2005: Farari (Fugitive)
  • 2007: Ghashangeh (Beautiful)

With Caltex Records

  • 1994: Ferferehayeh Bibaad
  • 1998: Ghayegh Kaghazi
  • 2000: Faghat Bekhatareh To (Only For You)

With Century Records USA

  • 2009: Janjaali
  • 2010: Mansour Live in Concert_Club Nokia ( Los Angeles )

Live albums

With MZM Records

  • 1996: Mansour Live In Concert

DVDs/music videos

  • 2001: Life ... On The Road DVD (music videos Of "Zendegi" album)
  • 2005: Farari DVD (music videos Of "Divooneh" and some music videos from "Farari" , include In "Farari" Album Package)
  • 2007: Only For You DVD (music videos of "Faghat Be Khatereh To" album)
  • 2010: Mansour Live in concert DVD

Guest appearances

  • Black Cats (Featuring Mansour) - Gole Yakh (remake of Persian famous song with the same name, the original singer Is Kourosh Yaghmaei).
  • Mahasti and Hayedeh (Featuring Mansour) - Vedaa (Shabeh Eshgh) (remake of song by Hayedeh and her sister Mahasti. She sings this song in the memory of her late sister, after her death. In this song Mansour just sang in the choruses, Mansour's part in original song was performed by Persian pop legend Ebi).

Filmography

  • 2001: America So Beautiful

References

  1. ^ http://i30.tinypic.com/klod2.jpg
  2. ^ Stelter, Brian; Stone, Brad (2009-06-23). "Web Pries Lid of Iranian Censorship". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  3. ^ http://www.lalivemarriott.com/JW-Marriott/Press-Releases.php?prid=13&pid=31
  4. ^ http://www.clubnokia.com/eventdetail.php?id=24254
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