|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBREL, Jacques(b 8 April '29, Brussels; d 9 Oct. '78, Bobigny nr Paris) Singer-songwriter. Taught himself guitar at 15; expelled from school; worked in father's factory while writing songs. After military service began singing in French cafes; first pro engagement in Pigalle '53, second billing at Paris Olympia '54; by the early '60s a leading French 'troubadour' performer, dispensing sensual, sometimes angry, sometimes bitter-sweet songs. US debut at Carnegie Hall '65; concert LP for Reprise, US tour '67. Poet Eric Blau and songwriter Mort Shuman collaborated on Jaques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris, translating 25 songs; show opened at Village Gate NYC '68. Cast (incl. Shuman) sang 'Mathilde', 'Jackie', 'Amsterdam', 'Next', 'Funeral Tango', 'My Death', 'Sons Of', 'You're Not Alone', etc. Brel appeared in his own French version of Man Of La Mancha '68 in Brussels and Paris; also dramatic role in film Mont-Dragon '71. Songs were much covered, by Scott Walker (recorded several incl. 'Jackie', UK hit '67), Alex Harvey ('Next'), 'If You Go Away' (Dusty Springfield, Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Rod McKuen), 'I'm Not Afraid' (Frank Sinatra, McKuen), McKuen wrote his own lyrics to Brel's tunes. A recluse in later years, apparently paranoid about being seen in public, Brel emerged in '77 to make his first LP in ten years: Brel sold 650,000 copies on the first day of release, totalled over two million. He died of cancer the next year. |