COVER STORIES #1 - JACQUES BREL - AMSTERDAM

JACQUES BREL - AMSTERDAM   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1oX3bdIMqk

To kick things off easily for me, and making my best effort to sustain your interest, i 've decided to post some original versions of songs i've covered live.  No kids, i didn't write this, but i wish i had.  Belgian-Born singer Brel first came to my ears via the famous english language interpretations by Scott Walker, who recorded an album worth of his songs in the sixties.  I remember many a wasted day as a student listening to a battered LP copy of "Scott", which featured this number.  Amsterdam seems to lose nothing in English - the sentiment and the craft of Brel's words come through Mort Shuman's translation (well, i have no grasp of French, but i think so).  Brel was a killer performer, as the above 1964 video attests, and more performers should aspire to that level of commitment.

As it's Valentine's Day - let's f*ck all the sugar coated crap and get to the reality.  "Ne Me Quitte Pas" aka "If You Go Away" has been totally ruined by millions of bland supper club renditions, but Brel's version will totally floor you.  There's already a tear plonked on my jacket as i paste the link. Brace yourself!

JACQUES BREL - NE ME QUITTE PAS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfegOxTCuOQ

That is all for now.  I'm off to a dark place with a bottle for company.

Rich x

AND IF YOU WANT MORE:

If this has perked your interest in Brel - buy this 2CD compilation.

For Scott's interpretations of Brel, i would buy the first three Albums, imaginatively titled "Scott", "Scott 2" and "Scott 3".  This is because i am a complete Scott Walker obsessive, but i must admit it may be a bit to much for a neophyte.  If you want the cheap "all-killer no filler" option get this bargain £3 compilation of his Brel interpretations .  More on Scott later in the blog, no doubt.

For other interpretations of Brel Songs in English - "Next" by Sensational Alex Harvey Band on The Old Grey Whistle Test is a HOOT.  Alex won't take his eyes of you.  And look at the guitarist! HA!  The only decent version of "Ne Me Quitte Pas" i can think of is Momus' version, which is entitled "Don't Leave" - which originally came out on the "Nicky" EP but is compiled here.   Vic Godard, after catching the end of one of my shows once told my friend that he thought my version of Amsterdam was better than Bowie's.  And so i should think so.   Bowie's version is toothless.  Dave Van Ronk recorded a version, which i haven't heard, but i would imagine is pretty good - he's got the voice and temperament to slay it.  Marc Almond did an OK album of Brel covers in the eighties.