The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #67071 Message #1118800
Posted By: Frankham
18-Feb-04 - 08:48 PM
Thread Name: Jacques Brel - what's it all about?
Subject: RE: Jacques Brel - what's it all about?
Christine,
I think that Brel defines a European point of view about the struggles in life. Many of his songs carry a sub-textual meaning. He is a commentator on a personal level but also on a political one. There is a kind of world-weariness in his songs that may not reach some folks who haven't experienced a lot of suffering or grief. The songs are passionate and not in the least pretentious but I can see that there is a possibility that they can be misinterpreted by some performers and as such come off as phony.
They are cabaret songs in the manner of Edith Piaf. I think of them as songs that might be sung by jazz singers such as Billie Holiday in the tradition of "Lush Life" or "Strange Fruit".
The French expression "tranche de vie" comes to mind. Slice of life in the way you see a Gorky play or hear a down and out blues about the inequities of life.
Brel is an acquired taste and when he is interpreted well, the impact is unmistakeable.