I have revered Brel since ".. Alive and Well and Living in Paris", and Judy Collins' version of "La Colombe" on her "In My Life" album (which was translated by Alastair Clayre).

Rod McKuen completely missed the point in "Le Moribond", but (IMHO) almost got it right in "If You Go Away"/"Ne Me Quitte Pas".

Mort Schuman was rather more successful with his translations, and I was delighted to see that the original cast recording of "Alive and Well" is now available again (thanks for the link, Kevin). I have a recording of the more recent London production, but only have the film (on Betamax!) of the NY cast.

On my last trip to France, I bought a double CD of the man himself, "Quand on n'a que l'amour" (Barclay 531711-2) which is an excellent selection of 37 of his songs and is improving my French into the bargain!

His body may have been dead for a quarter of a century, but his soul lives on in his songs.

Alan