Saturday, October 24, 2009

Something for the week end?

Jacques Brel 1929-1978


This takes me back to Paris in the sixties.

13 comments:

Kim Ayres said...

Ah, Paris in the 60s!

I'm afraid I missed most of the 60s completely, and the last 3 years of it I was in and out of nappies and completely reliant on my parents, who were living in Cornwall at the time.

You'll just have to tell us more about it :)

kenju said...

Was he mad at those sailors from Amsterdam? It sure sounded and looked like it.

Barlinnie said...

Pat, and the sixties... now that is a blog all on its own. I live in hope.

sablonneuse said...

I've heard this song so many times but never considered the translation. Now I know - thank you, Pat!

rashbre said...

Excellent footage and a great song. I couldn't resist posting another version during one of my visits to Amsterdam. Interesting to see the subtitle translation which is slightly different from the English version that I know.

There's also just been a Jacques Brel celebration in London put on by the Barbican at Wilton's Music Hall.

In fact there's also an hour radio show about it including the David Bowie version of Amsterdam and plenty by Brel himself. Worth a listen.

Pat said...

Kim: I could of course but then I would have to kill you. I'm not joking.

Judy: no I think he was just celebrating them - with passion.

Jimmy: see above to Kim. Je regrette.

Sandy: it is a bit racy but I'm sure it won't offend you;)

Radhbre: I enjoyed your version. One could say Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in Amanda. Thanks for those great links.

DILLIGAF said...

"an error occured please try later" it said....

story of my life eh?...;-)

You didn't comment on your personal appearance three posts back...well...perhaps wise eh?...;-)

Pat said...

FourD: sorry I missed that - must have been when we were in Fremington.
My comment is : I'm flattered but you are either bonkers or very kind:)
Was the error when you were trying to listen to Jacques? you can always google it.

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Ah merci ma chère! They were still listening to that when I was there in the 80s. And I dare say they're still listening to it today. An incomparable performance - that was his farewell concert I think. What a guy. The passion and drama he put into his songs made him beautiful, although he was quite an ugly geezer. Even by Belgian standards.

Charlie said...

A haunting song, Pat, and an incredible performance. Thank you for the mini-retrospective.

Pat said...

Daphne: it's funny how some ugliness has a certain beauty. I used to feel that about the young Tom Jones.

Charlie: I'm glad you enjoyed it:)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I have a very good looking Dutch friend who used to sing this all the time, and he was pretty damn good--But, NOT as good as the Wonderful Compelling Jacques Brel.....

Pat said...

Naomi: I thought you would know the song:)