For
those who don't know Léo Ferré here he is with Comme à Ostende. There are many videos of Ferré on Youtube, including this song
performed when he was much younger and stronger-voiced than in this version, but I like it and his appearance suits the words. (Lyrics below, with my translation). Ferré was a poet, composer, classically trained musician, conductor and actor,
Ferré, along with Georges Brassens and Jacques Brel, belongs in the French 'chansonniers' tradition of troubadour poets/composers/singers. They were by no means pop stars although they eventually attained popular acclaim and respect and have influenced countless serious artists internationally.
He does sort of remind me of Jacques Brel, who I know mostly through Scott Walker's numerous covers. Those guys really did know how to write a good melody, didn't they?
Hi Natalie. Not super chanson-ish, but this performance of Léo Ferré's 'On S'Aimera' is kinda fun (even though the lip-synch is slightly off. And as a bonus extra, my partner says that the violinist could have her anytime.
Nasreen, if you haven't heard/seen Brel (or Ferré or Brassens) look them up on Youtube where you can find many of their live performances. Cover versions may be interesting but there's nothing like the real McCoy!
FM, many thanks. I hadn't seen that recital-ish salon version of "On S'Aimera'. It is indeed fun with 2 good (and great-looking) performers: the woman and the violinist. The moustachioed guy looks upstaged and unhappy and trying too hard to hide it!
Hadn't seen Corrida either. It certainly is fun too but I prefer the accordionist rather than Cabrel in this number. Cabrel does that thing many French pop singers do (like the awful Johnny Halliday) of trying to sound like American or British rock & rollers but not getting it right because, well, he's French. Yes it's more contemporary but it ain't got that swing, which the generation of Brel, Ferré and Brassens had. Okay, I'm turning into an old fogey.
FM, I forgot to add that I'm totally in sympathy with the message of "Corrida" ie to do away with the horrible sport of bull torturing and bull killing for the blood-thirsty pleasure of spectators. Am I vegetarian? Not quite but almost there!
Thinking of an old number: "If you like ukelele lady, ukelele lady like you! In a silly mood today as I'm starting to laugh off the ridiculous Mr. Trump.
Is this some sort of 'groundhog' day? metinks we've mentioned Jaques Brel previously. Have seen, and probably still have a VHS copy somewhere of the American theater stage version version of "Jaques Brel is Alive and well and living in Paris". And yep, image of Himself presenting .... yer, i know, but fail to remember how you say/spell "nikita pa'
Hi Davoh - the above video I shared is not Brel but Léo Ferré, a totally different person but equally great performer. Can you play the video on your computer? It's on Youtube.
Yes, I did indeed mention Jacques Brel a while ago, when I posted a sound clip of mr singing/talking "Ne Me Quitte Pas". The video below, as you can hear/see, is himself singing one of my favourites, "Amsterdam".
I knew about the show "JB alive & well.." but never saw it. Will look it up but for me, nothing can beat the actual real McCoy even though there have been many cover versions.
11 comments:
He does sort of remind me of Jacques Brel, who I know mostly through Scott Walker's numerous covers. Those guys really did know how to write a good melody, didn't they?
Hi Natalie. Not super chanson-ish, but this performance of Léo Ferré's 'On S'Aimera' is kinda fun (even though the lip-synch is slightly off. And as a bonus extra, my partner says that the violinist could have her anytime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttcZuFapv3c
…And while we're on the subject, I think this performance by Francis Cabrel of his song 'La Corrida' takes the chanson somewhere contemporary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8OmLVn-f8
Nasreen, if you haven't heard/seen Brel (or Ferré or Brassens) look them up on Youtube where you can find many of their live performances. Cover versions may be interesting but there's nothing like the real McCoy!
FM, many thanks. I hadn't seen that recital-ish salon version of "On S'Aimera'.
It is indeed fun with 2 good (and great-looking) performers: the woman and the violinist. The moustachioed guy looks upstaged and unhappy and trying too hard to hide it!
Hadn't seen Corrida either. It certainly is fun too but I prefer the accordionist rather than Cabrel in this number. Cabrel does that thing many French pop singers do (like the awful Johnny Halliday) of trying to sound like American or British rock & rollers but not getting it right because, well, he's French. Yes it's more contemporary but it ain't got that swing, which the generation of Brel, Ferré and Brassens had. Okay, I'm turning into an old fogey.
FM, I forgot to add that I'm totally in sympathy with the message of "Corrida" ie to do away with the horrible sport of bull torturing and bull killing for the blood-thirsty pleasure of spectators. Am I vegetarian? Not quite but almost there!
Thinking of an old number: "If you like ukelele lady, ukelele lady like you!
In a silly mood today as I'm starting to laugh off the ridiculous Mr. Trump.
Hattie, as soon as I learn to play the uke I'll be the ukulele lady.
If Trum[ was only ridiculous that wouldn't be so bad. It's what goes beyond ridicule which is frightening.
Is this some sort of 'groundhog' day? metinks we've mentioned Jaques Brel previously. Have seen, and probably still have a VHS copy somewhere of the American theater stage version version of "Jaques Brel is Alive and well and living in Paris". And yep, image of Himself presenting .... yer, i know, but fail to remember how you say/spell "nikita pa'
Magnificent ....
Hi Davoh - the above video I shared is not Brel but Léo Ferré, a totally different person but equally great performer. Can you play the video on your computer? It's on Youtube.
Yes, I did indeed mention Jacques Brel a while ago, when I posted a sound clip of mr singing/talking "Ne Me Quitte Pas". The video below, as you can hear/see, is himself singing one of my favourites, "Amsterdam".
I knew about the show "JB alive & well.." but never saw it. Will look it up but for me, nothing can beat the actual real McCoy even though there have been many cover versions.
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