Jacques Brell - Page 3

Orpheus · 03-30-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I've only heard of Brel through Scott Walker's versions of his songs. I really like Jackie, it's absolutely hilarious - even my roommates like that song. I've been meaning to listen to Brel doing his own songs, I'm just afraid of the language barrier.

You shouldn't be! The fact that it is, for one time, not in English should make it only more special!

drsquid · 03-31-2005, 03:10 AM

...I think Jacques Brell has done some wonderful stuff... and I'm pretty sure I'm not Belgian ...

---drsquid

Squidquote of the moment follows:

I believe the time is here and is rapidly approaching.

Darkness Fish · 04-01-2005, 06:34 AM

I think Jaques Brel was a superb songwriter, but he's one artist who I don't think did hs material justice. I prefer nearly every cover version of Brel songs I've heard to the original, there's something about his voice that I just don't like.

Not that I'm anti-Belgian or anything. Some of my best friends are Belgian

Orpheus · 04-01-2005, 08:56 AM

I think his voice is great! Certainly on the live albums, he could really "perform" the songs, you know... But I can imagine that the chansonesque music of accordeon and orchestral backing can be a bit difficult for modern listeners, well at some times I have problems with it...

Stardust · 04-03-2005, 04:50 AM

I really LOVE his work, and that's not only because he's belgian

Not only is his voice great, but his lyrics are brilliant. I love his performance. I've seen it many times on television, and mr. gooze had it on dvd. It was really cool to watch him preform. The way he expressed himself, it made the music even more geious.
Yeah, maybe the music is a chansonesque, but that's the brillianty of the guy? I mean, some songs, like ces gens là, it sounds happy, but when you understand the lyrics, you can totally understand the sarcasm. I really love his dark humour, he uses throughout his lyrics.

Right now I'm listening to mijn vlakke land

Orpheus · 04-16-2005, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stardust

I really LOVE his work, and that's not only because he's belgian

Not only is his voice great, but his lyrics are brilliant. I love his performance. I've seen it many times on television, and mr. gooze had it on dvd. It was really cool to watch him preform. The way he expressed himself, it made the music even more geious.
Yeah, maybe the music is a chansonesque, but that's the brillianty of the guy? I mean, some songs, like ces gens là, it sounds happy, but when you understand the lyrics, you can totally understand the sarcasm. I really love his dark humour, he uses throughout his lyrics.

Right now I'm listening to mijn vlakke land

yeah I like that chansonesque thing too, but I guess it might be a little difficult for people who are not used to it and who come from a rock background... my French isn't good enough to understand all of his lyrics, but what I do understand is great indeed... but I guess this might be a difficult point for people who don't know French as well...

have you heard the Flemish version of "Les Bourgeois", "Burgerij"? it's quite funny!

Stardust · 04-19-2005, 05:59 AM

there are translations troughout the internet you know

http://www.grazian-archive.com/quiddity/Brel.htm