Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well

by Jacques Brel (Composer)

(Vocal Selections). 22 vocal selections from the popular review, including: Amsterdam * Brussels (Bruxelles) * Carousel (La Valse a Mille Temps) * I Loved (J'aimais) * If We Only Have Love (Quand on N'a Que L'amour) * Old Folks (Les Vieux) * You're Not Alone (Jef) * and more.

78 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Jacques Brel; 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following in Belgium and France initially, and later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French, he became a major influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen, Alex Harvey. English translations of his songs were recorded by many top performers in the United States, including Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, and Andy Williams. In French-speaking countries, Brel was also a successful actor, appearing in ten films. He also directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Jacques Brel has sold over 25 million records worldwide, and is the third best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In reviews, this is described as "capable of working the audience into a frensy". that is 100 percent true.

I was so pleased to find this on Goodreads. I knew this music almost before I could walk. My parents were and are huge fans of Jacques Brel and would repeatedly play the album, most likely while I was still in the womb. As a result, I inherited their love for it.

I have seen the show, have the music and still sing the tunes out loud. I do hope this almost unspeakably beautiful and hauntingly intense music will continue to live on. I would not be able to put into words my love of it.

If musical beauty was an individual and had a face, then surely it would present in all four of the magnificent singers of this music. I salute Jaques Brel, Mort Shuman, Sean Elliot, Alice Whitfield and Ellie Stone. You have given us more beauty in our lives then we could ever have imagined.

[Mark Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, at this point, Jacques Brel has been dead for some time, but this collection og his work is excellently translated from the original French & Flemish, and the material is no less fresh today than it was in Brel's heyday. Hats off to Brel for being expelled from Belgium for refusing to censor himself.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed working on this show.