The first French-speaking artist on the list, and he is a Belgian. For Belgians like me, Jacques Brel's songs are engraved in the collective memory and this live album is a best-of for all of us. It's very complicated to write about Jacques Brel.
Jacques Brel is considered one of the greatest singers and poets of French song. In 1964, he was at the peak of his career, with several hits to his credit and a popularity that went beyond the borders of France.
In 1962, Jacques Brel released his sixth studio album, entitled ‘Les Bourgeois'. The album was a commercial success and received critical acclaim for its poignant lyrics and innovative musical arrangements. The album's eponymous track, ‘Les Bourgeois', became one of the anthems of the working class and helped reinforce Brel's reputation as a committed artist.
In 1964, Jacques Brel also began a tour of France and Belgium. This tour, which lasted several months, was an opportunity for him to meet his public and to strengthen his popularity. His concerts were known to be very intense and moving, with passionate performances and poignant lyrics that touched the hearts of his audience. He would leave his performances exhausted.
The Olympia 64 album
Jacques Brel's performance at the Olympia in 1964 was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Jacques Chancel wrote in a newspaper at the time that the concert was “L'ouragan que tout Paris attendait” and said that it was one of the best concerts in history.
The public was also won over by Brel's performance at the Olympia. The halls were packed at every performance and the audience often gave a long and warm applause at the end of each song.
In this video shot at the Olympia in 1966, you can see the intensity of Jacques Brel's stage performances.
Many Brel fans considered these concerts to be one of the most memorable moments of his career, with emotional and intense performances that touched everyone's heart. Even decades later, these concerts are still considered key moments in the history of French song and music in general.
Amsterdam
The song ‘Amsterdam' is one of Jacques Brel's most famous songs. Never recorded in the studio (Brel did not like the song), it was performed on stage during the 1964 tour. It tells the story of a sailor who lands in the port of Amsterdam and is confronted with the harshness of life at sea. The song has become a classic of French music, often considered one of Brel's best.
The song begins with evocative lyrics, describing the sailor's arrival in Amsterdam: ‘In the port of Amsterdam, there are sailors singing, dreams haunting them, off the coast of Amsterdam'. The lyrics are accompanied by a slow, powerful melody that immediately gives the song a melancholic mood.
The sailor is then described as facing the harshness of life at sea: ‘In the port of Amsterdam, there are sailors who die, full of beer and drama, at first light'. Brel goes on to describe the pleasures that sailors seek to forget their pain, such as alcohol and women: ‘But in the port of Amsterdam, there are sailors who eat, on tablecloths that are too white, dripping fish'.
“Amsterdam' is considered one of Jacques Brel's most poignant songs, offering a realistic and poetic description of the life of sailors. The lyrics and melody complement each other perfectly, creating a powerful atmosphere that touches the heart of the listener. The song has been covered by many artists including David Bowie, but remains associated with Jacques Brel as a masterpiece of French music.