The Best Men of Brel-post (below) stirred quite a few reactions. Here's five more coverversions, thanks for the requests and the mp3s you send me.
Emiliana Torrini (pictured) is a sureshot on this blog, if she only would sing in French. Alas, the charming songbird keeps it English. But she did a beautiful (and tearful) version of Ne Me Quitte Pas, so there. Talk about tears: Marlene Dietrich is on the verge of a very serious breakdown while singing Bitte Geh Nicht Fort (Ne Me Quitte Pas, again). Or is this Oscar-winning material?
Also in German, and also on the verge of something (falling down the stairs) is this alcohol-fueled version of Amsterdam by Hildegard Knef. Suits the song, I'd say. Paul Armfield emailed me that he was 'chuffed' to see himself mentioned in my lickle hitlist. I was very flattered that he send me another Brel-cover, a translation of Vivre Debout.
And finally Momus, a.k.a. Nick Currie, a big French music lover, a Gainsbourg-obsessive and a remarkable Brel-interpreter. Nicky is a loose translation of Jacky, in which Momus namechecks Julio Iglesias, the Dalai Lama and Barry Manilow. Go figure.
Emiliana Torrini - If You Go Away
Marlene Dietrich - Bitte Geh Nicht Fort
Hildegard Knef - Amsterdam
Paul Armfield - The Upright Life
Momus - Nicky
EXTRA:
More drama by Czech superstar Hana Hegerova, in her version of Ne Me Quitte Pas (thanks Julija)
Hana Hegerová - Lásko prokletá
Nie opuszczaj mnie is a Polish version of NMQP by Edyta Gorniak:
Edyta Gorniak - Nie Opuszcaj Mnie (thanks Istari Lady)
Brel might have been quite influential in France, but he's more than just a bit overrated; melody-wise, his songs belong to category b. Momus is, of course, top-notch; Brel will sit about thirty seats from his left in the Big Blue Hall in the Sky. Muchas gracias.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI have to disagree with the previous (ANONYNOUS!!!) commentator. This must have written been an American. As native German I think Brel did really influence many many important artists. I am deeply impressed by your blog, and I am discovering artists I had not known before.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe Brel postings have been impressive, although i find it slightly odd that you have neglected Alex Harvey's rendition of "Next".
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAlex had a pantomime edge which suited Brel perfectly; If you have ever seen the glazed fixed stare (both numb and manic) to camera from his BBC televised performance you will at once know what i mean.
As someone who lives in the Gorbals of Glasgow near where Alex was born and raised, I can assure you the deranged glee at the core of his theatrics is as genuinely triumphant as any romantic squalor
Brel is able to conjure.
His accent is unapologetically real.
If you haven't stumbled across any of his recordings yet, definitely check it out. Next.
Where is the Emiliana Torrini IF YOU GO AWAY available?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenOn CD anywhere?
I just heard it from the movie pUMPKIN -what a great song but can't figure where to get it - thanks!
hello, i am sad that this is already crossed out.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenis there a chance you could repost emiliana's version??
or if you read this, let's do a trade. the terry jacks version is my personal fave if you haven't heard it please email me at manicexec@hotmail.
thanks.
That Emiliana Torrini is a vinyl-rip, I dunno if it ever was released on cd.
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