14 CDs, including 1 double "Live", 1 CD-ROM, 1 Book, here is the COMPLETE WORK of Claude BESSON: "I am a tree"
We awaited it with a certain excitement, a growing eagerness, and evident emotion, and for many of you, loyal visitors-readers-listeners of Culture et celtie, the e-MAGazine, you hoped for it as well.
Présentation du coffret de L'intégrale de Claude BESSON - Je suis un arbre ... photographeFollowing up, in the form of a substantial special article, to our very first editorial announcement, published on our online pages as early as May 31, 2025, within our section "Idea to REMEMBER," on our homepage, regarding the development of this extensive music-literary project, and soliciting your participative financial co-production, via a specialized platform, or simply through the classic postal route offered by your e-MAGazine, some of you have since regularly inquired about a forthcoming positive conclusion to this much-anticipated publication.
After a long and tenacious multidisciplinary effort, traversing the meanders of artistic conception to executive production, the technical imperatives related to disc reproduction, and then to those of literary publishing, but also from financing to administration, from solicitation to communication, partially aided by your participative contributions, supported by the members of its association, France BIHANNIC-BESSON, the absolute and major initiator of this visceral "gift of Love," announced to us the liberating and effective release of this exceptional publication in LIMITED EDITION, for August 2026.
On the 6th of this eighth and summery month, we received a substantial and very well-packaged postal parcel that still obscured for us, but now only for a few moments… the treasure so desired and hoped for by all! After carefully opening this cardboard packaging, which could, after its basic postal protection services, serve as a secure case to ensure perfect preservation of the jewel contained within during multiple listens to the discs, we finally discovered this precious musical and textual gift.
In immaculate glossy white, adorned with a magnificent box titled "I am a Tree" and subtitled "THE COMPLETE WORKS OF CLAUDE BESSON," appeared before our dazzled eyes. A huge silhouette, easily recognizable, of the exceptional craftsman, author, composer, singer, performer, Breton, and inlaid within its outline, a poetic and tree-filled photo of the garden of his legendary "Kerouze," created in a beautiful harmony of celestial blue, gold of the earth, and green of the foliage, somehow labeled this monumental case measuring 390 x 310 x 55 mm with its seal.
"Classy!"... as another eminent sculptor of notes and words… Serge GAINSBOURG would have said! This is the first line of our digital correspondence that, upon receiving the "very beautiful object," we immediately sent to the project's inspirer, thus conveying our initial and very pleasant impression, which we also share with you through this article.
Activating a magnetically sealed opening elegantly embedded in the lateral cardboard front panel of the box, we then discovered, nestled in three deep quadrilateral-shaped cavities made of black foam support, on its left side a receptacle enclosing the book by Claude BESSON titled "Song Lyrics from 1971 to 2018," and on its right side, two square slots containing two stacks of Compact Discs.
We, through our articles and columns, always highlight the marked and specific efforts that certain artists make to produce highly aesthetic graphic and photographic works, thus creating, to serve their music, "the beautiful object" which is, after all, more appealing than the insipid online music file. It goes without saying that we were more than delighted and fulfilled by this very careful and elaborate presentation, just as you will be upon receiving your complete set.
This description, which some of you may find long and effusive, is, however, merely a strict and factual observation that inspired us to write this second digital paragraph addressed to "Claude's Baladine," which we present to you here in full transparency: "Beyond words"! ... as Alan Stivell titled one of his superb instrumental albums, and he would undoubtedly confirm this in light of this remarkable book and discographic work dedicated to a fellow Breton singer, like him, from the Parisian diaspora! E-Pous-tou-flant, moving, monumental, rooted yet contemporary, filled with Love… I would add, at first glance, caressing this graphic presentation, oh so refined!”.
Let us now consult the printed lists on the internal panel, currently open, to grasp the richness of the artistic content of this exceptional memorial edition.
Topped with titles rendered in the aforementioned celestial blue colors or, as for the external title "I am a tree," showcasing the same font in the same leafy green, you will discover a very dense summary of no less than 14 Compact Discs, to which you will add the presence of 1 CD ROM… and the book!
In the order of the proposed presentation, let us detail the presence of the reissued and remastered works and the "unreleased" tracks:
• The instrumentals CD1 * and CD2 (1974 and 1978).
• Made in Kerouze CD1 * and CD2 * (2004)
• Hope, hope * (1985).
• Baladin, baladine * (1993).
• Trees * (2009).
• My porcelain joys * (2014).
• The sense of beauty * (2016).
• Tribute to Georges BRASSENS (2011) * and to my teachers * (2013).
• The "Live" CD1 and CD2 (2002).
• The three unreleased tracks.
- For their contents, refer to those identical and scheduled in the same order as the original self-productions mentioned on "Claude's page" in the section "Discography of Claude BESSON's Compact Discs," which has also been updated for this complete set. It’s HERE
On our page, mentioned above, escaping the enumeration of these titles, since not reissued on Compact Disc, here is the instrumental album No. 2, of which we publish, on our Culture and celtie page, the e-MAGazine , the original visual of the LP vinyl and the content of the current CD:
CD Instrumental No. 2
• 01 - Kerglaz - (*1*)
• 02 - Soleil Levant - 02:25 - (A1).
• 03 - La Chanson D'Arianrod - 03:28 - (A2).
• 04 - Les Hauts De Guerledan - 02:45 - (A3).
• 05 - Pavan - 01:27 - (A4).
• 06 - Kan Ar Gwennili - 02:05 - (A5).
• 07 - L'arbre De Mai - 04:12 - (A6).
• 08 - La Fille Au Tuba - 02:16 - (B1).
• 09 - Blodeuwez - 03:08 - (B2).
• 10 - La Chaussée De Géants - 02:08 - (B3).
• 11 - Viviane - 02:21 - (B4).
• 12 - Ballade Pour Mélanie - 03:08 - (B5).
• 13 - Ar Feunteun - 02:45 - (B6).
CD Instrumental No. 2
• 01 - Kerglaz - (*1*)
• 02 - Soleil Levant - 02:25 - (A1).
• 03 - La Chanson D'Arianrod - 03:28 - (A2).
• 04 - Les Hauts De Guerledan - 02:45 - (A3).
• 05 - Pavan - 01:27 - (A4).
• 06 - Kan Ar Gwennili - 02:05 - (A5).
• 07 - L'arbre De Mai - 04:12 - (A6).
• 08 - The Girl with the Tuba - 02:16 - (B1).
• 09 - Blodeuwez - 03:08 - (B2).
• 10 - The Causeway of Giants - 02:08 - (B3).
• 11 - Viviane - 02:21 - (B4).
• 12 - Ballad for Mélanie - 03:08 - (B5).
• 13 - Ar Feunteun - 02:45 - (B6).
Compositions by Claude BESSON, except for 10 and 12 by Claude FREY.
We have divided the tracklist of the instrumental CD No. 2 according to the sides of the original 33 RPM vinyl.
(*1*) - "Kerglaz" is the instrumental from the 33 RPM vinyl album "Don't Forget Armor" (1973), which appears as the 4th track on side B of the recording.
And, of course... the unreleased "Live," whose program is spread over 2 CDs:
CD 1
01 – Between Forget-Me-Nots and Poppies – 04:16.
02 – My Friend Pierre from Quebec – 03:30.
03 – The Loves of Artisan – 03:08.
04 – Don't Dream – 03:24.
05 – Song for Jean-Marie Koltès – 02:23.
06 – My Father – 04:41.
07 – Farewell Our Hopes – 03:51.
08 – Roots – 03:37.
09 – My Brittany When It Rains – 03:52.
10 – Kerouze – 02:53.
11 – Menez-Du – 03:05.
12 – The Welcome, the Unwelcome – 03:02
13 – Son ar chistr – 03:25.
CD 2
01 – The Two Quays – 03:58.
02 – Marylee – 04:50.
03 – Toro – 05:30.
04 – Thanks – 03:28.
05 – Baladin, Baladine – 03:12.
06 – A Matter of Time – 03:16.
07 – Story of a Forger – 03:30.
08 – What It Costs to Love – 02:56.
09 – Philistines – 01:28.
10 – The Two Song Trees – 02:56
11 – Hope, Hope – 03:50.
12 – The Girl from Lorient – 03:27.
13 – Isle of Sein – 03:46.
14 – The Songs of Our Evenings – 02:50.
15 – Bonus: Rehearsal – 12:20.
Lyrics and music: Claude BESSON, except
09 – lyrics and music: Jean-Michel CARADEC
13 – Song attributed to the traditional repertoire, but composed by Jean-Bernard and Jean-Marie PRIMA, in 1929, in Guiscriff
05 – Duet with France BIHANNIC.
06 and 07 – Performed by France BIHANNIC.
06 – Lyrics: Tita REUT and music: Denis BOURHIS.
07 – Lyrics and music: Georges BRASSENS
09 * Poem by Jean RICHEPIN and music by Georges BRASSENS.
You will be delighted, fulfilled, and touched to find the empathetic, warm, mischievous "Claude of the stage," with this recording, captured live (from the console output, with the artist's agreement), during his concert in Brittany on October 12, 2002, held in Bourgbarré.
We were surprised to note that just like his concert, in our presence, offered on October 26, 2013, in La Chapelle-Launay (44-Bzh), as part of the Celtomania festival, (Our report) , Claude BESSON already opened his recital 11 years earlier with his superb "Between Forget-Me-Nots and Poppies," released on 33 RPM vinyl in 1976.
As mentioned on the inner side of the cover of the Compact Disc included in the box set, at the very beginning of the concert, the artist quietly emphasized the very first introductory notes of his crystalline guitar with these timid words: "I don't like this moment!"
We will issue a very small technical and "editorial" caveat for this public recording, which presents some level jumps and certain sound saturations and which would have deserved, for "the general public," perhaps, to be "edited" and softened of certain non-sung remarks that, for us, eternal admirers of our beautiful artist, we take as a touching document that restores his voice in speeches held, sometimes, at the corner of our own table, but which for the "more distant," nonetheless just as passionate, may not present the same interest and "distance" the listener (and not the spectator) from the musical and sung content.
This magnificent, essential, shimmering box set offers you the listening of no less than 126 songs and 26 studio instrumentals, 28 "Live" performances, totaling 180 tracks of happiness!
One small regret: That all the tracks recorded on the discs have not been digitally titled, which would have allowed, in the case of creating "Playlists," to clearly identify the pieces offered.
Of course, contained in this complete set, we will not revisit the intrinsic presentation of many albums produced by the artist, which we had, over their releases, described through our chronicle, amicably validated, in their time, by MONSIEUR Claude BESSON.
These "digital papers" have always been accessible from our menu "Records and books" >>> "The CDs" , each illustrated with 4 musical excerpts, 1 at the opening of the page, around the minute mark, and a longer medley of 3 excerpts broadcast at the end of each page.
These chronicles are also accessible via Claude's page, section "Discography of Claude BESSON's Compact Discs" mentioned above, WITH A BONUS OF 2 ADDITIONAL AND DIFFERENT EXCERPTS from those accompanying the "dedicated digital paper."
Other interpretations illustrate reports from some concerts, always accessible through this same section, or by
"Articles and Reports" >>> "Reports" or even by "Dossiers" >>> "Archives"
Do not forget, dear loyal friends of our site and of Claude, that our "artisan-poet," our "Breton who sings," as he often liked to define himself, has always been a permanent "member" of our site, and it is thus that you can find, by consulting the entirety of the pages dedicated to him, which we invite you to visit again, no less than 45 different musical excerpts created by our unforgettable and so talented artist.
Regarding the musical illustration of this present page, we had, of course, at our disposal a very wide range of titles that, due to their popularity, would have immediately resonated with your ear, but we chose to further broaden the "catalog" of our past broadcasts by publishing new excerpts, perhaps less iconic, but representative of the spirit of this complete set "I am a tree," namely:
For this present page dedicated to the complete set, 3 excerpts: 1 "Live" piece + 1 Instrumental + 1 Unreleased.
Not to mention that the instrumental that underscores the remarks of France BIHANNIC-BESSON broadcast at the opening of the page is also an unreleased piece for Culture and celtie, the e-MAGazine.
For the two bonuses on the page "Discography of Claude BESSON's Compact Discs" , we have chosen excerpts from 1 "Live" piece + 1 Instrumental.
And what if we talked to you about the book…
What a substantial gift, with a cover illustrated by the inspired, expressive, and well-known portrait of Claude, drawn by the expert hand of the illustrator, author, former creative director, and cartoonist for the regional daily newspaper Ouest-France, Michel DUVAL. In this generous box set, we find the reissue of the 267-page book "Song Lyrics - 1971 to 2018," which Claude BESSON had, as specified on the last page of the work, "entirely created, manually, printing and binding, during the year 2017."
Prefaced by the Breton writer and journalist, André-Georges HAMON (1944-1999), this highly attractive and lively work is structured by the artist into two parts:
• A collection of the lyrics of all the songs written between the dates mentioned in the book's title, totaling 89 songs. A very practical alphabetical summary concludes this first part, where one realizes, once again, that our poet-writer, more than just an author, can and should be read... and reread. Nevertheless, experience it for yourself; with the simple and unique reading of Claude's just and beautiful words, and for his most faithful fans, you will hear him, virtually, singing and plucking, under his masterful fingers, the golden strings of his guitar.
• Claude BESSON's motivations and reflections on each of his songs. This is a 23-page section in which Claude BESSON contextualizes his creations with acuity, relevance, and finesse, often with humor. From the "hat" paragraph that follows "Why this song?"—the title of the section—Claude delights us, combining analytical precision and… humor! Judge for yourself: "Beautiful encounters, emotions, sad and happy everyday life... Painters turn them into paintings, sculptors into statues, writers into books, stars and plumbers into hits, and singers into songs…"
Following these two major parts, this reissue presents the two instrumentals:
• The one from 1974, which won the Charles CROS Academy award.
• The one from 1979, which includes, notably, two themes from the television series "Viviane," produced at the time by FR3 Rennes, which became France 3 in 1992, and two themes from the theatrical work Myth Mac, created by the company l’Eolienne.
For each title in these two discographic volumes, the instrumental distribution played is specified. Psaltérion with bow or plucked strings, dulcimer, dulspinet, and cromorne alternate on these two recordings with mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, flute, transverse flute, Irish flute, uilleann pipes, cor anglais, tuba, cello, fiddle, jaw harp, spoons, electric bass, bodhran, and percussion.
On these compositions, except for two tracks by Claude FREY, Claude plays the dulcimer, dulspinet, psaltérion with bow or plucked strings, the Irish flute, and of course, the guitar, confidently entrusting the other parts to numerous and different guest musicians, with only Hubert VARRON on cello appearing on both discs.
It is a delight to listen, through these two recordings, combined with more contemporary instruments, to the sounds of these noble traditional medieval, even ancient, musical objects, which, moreover, can be traced in several countries. Largely made of wood, they remind us of an important aspect of our dear artist-craftsman’s personality, who is passionate about lutherie and woodworking, and who, in his workshop, particularly with some Celtic harps crafted under the wise guidance of Jord COCHEVELOU, father of Alan who became STIVELL, brought such sounds to life, alternately woody, metallic, bittersweet, or crystalline emanating from these instruments of yesteryear.
It should be noted that the title "Viviane," played on the psaltery with bow, guitar, and jew's harp, which opens track 1 of the instrumental CD No. 1 that was not present on the original LP vinyl, is found on track 11 of the Instrumental CD No. 2, performed by the same three instruments, to which is added the electric bass of Claude FREY.
Following, from pages 258 to 260, are the two texts of the unpublished works "La fontaine du bonheur," subtitled, "But where do they find all this?" and "To have or not to have." The 3rd unpublished work does not appear, as it is only audible on the dedicated CD in the form of an instrumental played on the guitar and intimately whistled by the artist. This piece, discovered by France BIHANNIC-BESSON after the passing of its performer, might have remained at this stage of creation? Could it have received new words crafted by Claude on its enveloping notes?.... We opt, without hesitation, for this second possibility, this backup on a hard drive, discovered by France, being annotated by the artist with the mention "song idea."
This fascinating, enlightening, and once again, moving book closes with more than an addendum, as 4 pages are dedicated to tributes paid to Claude from artists and celebrities of Breton and Celtic culture, such as Alan STIVELL, TRI YANN, Gilles SERVAT, Louis CAPART, Dan AR BRAZ, Alan SIMON, Clarisse LAVANANT… Four strong, warm, and, oh so, grateful pages, so well-deserved!
Just a word about "The Collection of Songs," published on the CD ROM. This digital medium offers the sheet music, lyrics, guitar chords, and tablatures (in PDF format) of the first 5 albums: "N'oubliez pas L'Armor" (1973), "Les amours d’artisan" (1976), "Album chansons n°3" (1980), "Espérance, espérance" (1985), "Baladin, baladine" (1993).
Faithful listeners and admirers of Claude BESSON, do not miss out on this substantial, significant, and elegant discographic and literary achievement (the intrinsic quality of the song lyrics and the writing of the book) that forever marks the noble journey of an authentic artisan-poet, a sculptor of just words and creator of supple and original melodies, always served by a highly talented string play and a warm, very personal vocal timbre that cannot be forgotten.
Since the announcement on our online pages of this event, many of you have been eagerly awaiting this memorial publication. It is now available and remarkable!
It is now up to you to show your friendship to the Breton singer and all the artistic interest you have in this undisputed master of beautiful Breton song, of which it is largely imbued.
If, as Claude sang, you must not forget L'Armor (... nor Argoat, of course!), just like Culture and celtie, the e-MAGazine, which dedicates many pages to him that we invite you to visit or revisit… never forget MONSIEUR Claude BESSON!
Gérard SIMON
To obtain the complete works of Claude BESSON - "I am a tree"... You just need to order, SAFELY, by simple and classic postal means, this splendid and emotional box set, published in LIMITED EDITION, by downloading, printing, and completing the ORDER FORM that we make available to you, in both Word and PDF formats on the page of our article: HERE
Mastering: Jean-Michel ROBINEAU - Studio ACM - 61600 Magny le Désert. - (See site)
Graphic design: Carole LAMOUR - 29880 Plougerneau. - (See site)
CD engraving and production: DVR France - 29490 Guipavas. - (See site)
Printing: CLOÎTRE Imprimeurs - 29800 Saint-Thonan. - (See site)
Source recording of the "Live": Jérôme DINARD.
Sound illustration of the page: Presentation of the complete box set of Claude BESSON, "I am a tree," by France BIHANNIC-BESSON, guest of the show hosted by SANCHO, "Le Bistrot des copains" (04.07.25), broadcast on TRANSISTOC'H Fm (100.4 Mhz - Le Faou). - See site
Montage of excerpts from the radio show produced by Gérard SIMON and mixed on the instrumental composed by Claude BESSON "The May Tree," featured as track 7 on the CD "The Instrumentals" included in the box set - 01:30.
© Culture et Celtie
