Overview The “Fernand” EP, released in 1965, showcases Jacques Brel’s extraordinary range as a songwriter, blending deeply emotional ballads with biting social commentary. Featuring the haunting “Les Désespérés” (“The Desperate Ones”), the comedic “Grand-mère” (“Grandmother”), and the somber, elegiac “Fernand”, the EP presents a rich tapestry of human experience, from despair and disillusionment to the absurdity of bourgeois life. MusicallyContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Fernand”
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Jacques Brel – Ces Gens-Là
Overview This EP features three of Jacques Brel’s most powerful tracks. Recorded in November 1965 at Studios Barclay-Hoche Enregistrements in Paris, each song delves into the complexities of human experience, from the bitter realities of familial dysfunction in “Ces Gens-Là” (“Those people”), to the surreal exploration of fame in “Jacky”, to the dramatic depiction ofContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Ces Gens-Là”
Jacques Brel – Brel En Direct
Overview The “Brel En Direct” EP, featuring live performances from Jacques Brel’s legendary 1964 Olympia concert including the iconic “Amsterdam”, captures the unique energy and emotional depth that defined his stage presence. Showcasing a mix of humour, melancholy, and biting social commentary, this EP includes “Les Timides” (“Shy People”) and “Les Jardins Du Casino” (“TheContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Brel En Direct”
Jacques Brel – Mathilde
Overview The Mathilde EP, released in March 1964, features four tracks recorded at Barclay-Hoche studios in Paris. The title track, “Mathilde,” recorded on January 9, 1964, is a dramatic tale of a man’s emotional turmoil, amplified by François Rauber’s powerful orchestration. “Le Tango Funèbre,” recorded on March 7, 1964, blends dark humor with a tango rhythm toContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Mathilde”
Jacques Brel – Jef
Overview This EP was recorded over three days in January 1964 at Studios Barclay-Hoche Enregistrements in Paris, before being released the following March. The songs —“Jef”, “Les Bonbons”, “Le Dernier Repas” and “Au Suivant”—showcase Brel’s trademark mix of humour, melancholy and biting social commentary. Each track tells a vivid story, capturing the listener’s imagination through Brel’s powerful lyricsContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Jef”
5 Songs That Will Introduce You To The Music Of Jacques Brel
1 – Amsterdam Brel’s gripping depiction of the lives of sailors in the Dutch city is undoubtedly his masterpiece, and most people’s introduction to the music of Jacques Brel. Covered by a diverse list of artists from David Bowie to John Denver, the rich imagery – complete with Brel’s dramatic performance – makes this BrelContinue reading “5 Songs That Will Introduce You To The Music Of Jacques Brel”
L’Air De La Betise by Jacques Brel: English Translation
Below is my poetic translation of ‘Les Bigotes’ by Jacques Brel. Particular attention has been paid to keeping the rhyme and flow of the piece while retaining the poetic origins of the French lyric.
Jacques Brel – Les Toros
Overview This 1963 EP was originally intended to contain a different track listing, but was changed at the last minute and ‘J’Aimais’ was replaced with ‘Les Fenetres’. This change was alluded to in the EP’s cover design, which shows the original track listing with a black cross through ‘J’Aimais’ and the replacement track scrawled atContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Les Toros”
Le Bon Dieu by Jacques Brel: English Translation
Below is my poetic translation of ‘Les Bigotes’ by Jacques Brel. Particular attention has been paid to keeping the rhyme and flow of the piece while retaining the poetic origins of the French lyric.
Jacques Brel – Les Bigotes
Overview This 1962 EP comes in two distinct variants – one version containing the ‘official’ versions of the songs (the versions that appear on CD and on the subsequent albums), and another version which contains alternative takes of the songs. The two variants have exactly the same cover design – which makes it hard toContinue reading “Jacques Brel – Les Bigotes”
Collecting Brel 