Ne Me Quitte Pas - Jacques Brel

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	A classic collection of Jacques Brel songs
Disadvantages:	Only 11 tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ne Me Quitte Pas is a concise collection of only 11 tracks, but they are some of Brel's finest songs including the famous title track. All are original Brel compositions. I think the album was originally produced in the early 1970s. The CD was released in 2004. The songs on this album exemplify Jacques Brel's song writing talent as well as his ability as a performer. Brel seemed to possess an acute perception that led him to be an innovative lyricist who was able to portray everyday life in a truly poetic light. It was in Parisian cafes in the 1950s that Brel crafted his song writing technique and it was on stage in seedy back street cabarets where he first captivated audiences with his virtuoso manipulation of language and somewhat quirky nervous stage presence. His songs were both engaging and vivid but at the same time simply executed.

Tracks
1. Ne Me Quitte Pas
2. Marieke
3. On N'oublie Rien
4. Les Flamandes
5. Les Prenoms De Paris
6. Quand On N'a Que L'amour
7. Les Biches
8. Le Prochain Amour
9. Le Moribond
10. La Valse A Mille Temps
11. Je Ne Sais Pas

On this CD you will find songs that incorporate an extraordinary emotional intensity that reach the highest passions and sink to the depths of despair - the renditions of a tortured soul. Jacques Brel's music covers a diverse repertoire of complex themes. Melodies range from the sombre to the joyful and his lyrics offer lucid renditions about love, death, social drama and political issues.

The opening track "Ne Me Quitte Pas" is one of his most famous songs first recorded in 1959 and Brel recorded a number of different versions. It is a desperate cantation of rejected love written after Brel was dumped by his lover Suzanne Gabriello and contains some enchanting lyrics 'll give you pearls of rain from countries where it doesn't rain". The song was popularised by Nina Simone and has been covered by many artists including Alison Moyet and Belinda Carlisle, but beware of some awful English translations.

Brel was a Belgian singer who achieved fame through his performances in France. However, he identified himself strongly with his linguistically divided native land and was proud of his Flemish roots. In some songs he acknowledges the diversity of his homeland. His attitude towards his Flemish compatriots of the north was marked by a love of Flanders and the Flemish countryside - evident in songs such as 'Marieke'.

Brel's acerbic humour is evident in songs such as "Les Flamandes" where he mocks Flemish rural life and the hypocrisies of Belgium's middle classes and militarism. Whereas in 'Les Biches' he refers to the seductive charms and trickery of young women who are labelled "man's worst enemy". Brel's satirical lyricism has much in common with later work by artists such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

Another famous song on this CD is "Le Moribund" ("The Dying Man") - in essence an anti-war song. A translated version was popularised by Terry Jacks in the early 1970s as "Seasons In The Sun" (WestLife also produced a cover version). Brel's far superior original is a poignant rendition about a dying soldier sending a final message home to his wife and friends to notify them of his fate but simultaneously celebrating the wonder of life. It could be said that all Brel's songs contain the same message. Brel is often mistakenly labelled a pessimist but amongst all the suffering, regret, oppression and heartbreak in his words Brel urges us to 'Seize the Day' and live life to the full.