Thanks for the responses! Feelsflow, "Alabama Song" was Brecht and Weill, though I agree its a similar style.
What does he mean by "to live upright?"
He said it meant living and preserving your dignity. I saw it translated by someone online as "to live standing up" but I thought "upright" sounded more poetic.
"Les pre'noms de Paris" - Is there a special key on your keypad that allows you to make the comma above the letter?
On my keyboard, hold down alt while typing 130 (on the number keys on the right)
Thanks Ian. I guess in Europe they teach that trick. I never use the number pad. So, that's why it's there!
Les prénoms de Paris.
No excuse for my "Alabama Song" mistake other than I was in too much of a hurry to get my review in by Friday. After more research, I now know the first Brel song I ever heard was...drumroll:
"La Colombe" by Judy Collins on
In My Life (1966). Brel's version is far and away the best. Couldn't find a translation, but I guess he's singing a different set of lyrics. His own. Judy is using Alasdair Clayre lyrics.
I came across
Brel 67 while looking for other songs Judy had recorded. She obviously loved him very much. I liked this album as much as
Marieke. By 1967 he slowed down his tempos, and I think that works better with his voice. It's even more expressive. She did "La Chanson des vieux amants" on
Wildflowers (1967). This my favorite Collins album, so it's impossible to say he does it better. But. Love the solo horn and arrangement. Gerard Jouannest is impressive on piano. He reminds me of Michel Legrand. I think he brought a lot to the table when he became Jacques collaborator.
Judy did two on
Whales and Nightingales (1970): "Fils de..." (Sons of...) - with the Blau/Shuman lyrics of another
Brel67 track. And "Marieke."
I'll have to listen to more of his records. Thanks again for steering me to this fabulous artist. This project is proving to be very entertaining.
Bubbly, what ya got cookin'?