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Georges Brassens has become a revered figure in France, himself influenced by such French greats as Charles Trenet and Tino Rossi. His poetic songs have entertained, moved and amused audiences since the 1940's and this 3CD set, 'Bonhomme' pays homage to these songs with all tracks digitally remastered for optimum listening. Across 3CDs and over more than fifty tracks, you can enjoy six iconic Brassens albums; 'La Mauvaise réputation', 'Le Vent', 'Les Sabots d Hélène', 'Je me suis fait tout petit', 'Oncle Archibald' and 'Le Pornographe'. Perhaps lasting testament to his genius (and ultimately his acceptance by the mainstream) is that Brassens is now seen as a significant poet in France and his work is studied by school children as part of the curriculum. Ecoutez et instruisez-vous!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Everyone should have a favourite uncle like Georges Brassens; the pipe, the mellow voice, the simple songs with their simple accompaniments, the homespun philosophy, the wicked sense of humour. Why couldn't there be more like him? Just the photo on the cover makes this collection worth the price. There are three CD's in the set, each one containing two of Brassens' original LP's. These recordings must be ancient, but they do not show their age; the sound is very mellow. The songs are all very simple. Brassens on vocals and acoustic guitar, Pierre Nicolas on acoustic bass, and with a second acoustic guitar on some of the tracks. Monotonous? I could listen to it all day. There are several favourites here: La Mauvaise Reputation, Le Gorille, La Chasse aux Papillons, Chanson pour l'Auvergnat etc etc. Unlike Jacques Brel (my other favourite French language singer/song writer) you probably do need to understand French to really appreciate this stuff. You don't speak French? Well, go and learn it. It will be worth the trouble just to be able to enjoy uncle Georges to the full.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you like Brassens, get this box set to fill in the gaps in your collection.
Don't yet know Brassens? If you can understand some French and like any of irreverent humour, folksong or poetry then he will be a delight.
Don't yet know Brassens? If you can understand some French and like any of irreverent humour, folksong or poetry then he will be a delight.
Format:Audio CD
I could not believe it. I hadn't actually realised that this is a 3-CD compilation and it is without doubt the best value album I have ever bought (and I have hundreds). The price is a joke ! I cannot think of anything of his that is missing. Every single one of his mini-masterpieces is there. An instant and powerful throwback to your youth. Packed full of his wit, gentle yet mordant humour, quirkiness, tenderness and delicacy of feeling and the most exquisite use of the language.
Of course if your first language isn't french, much of his erudition and expert wordcraft will be lost on you, no matter how many degrees in modern languages you possess. And if you are under 65 you may not realise what a revolutionary he was, compared with the established crooners of the time (Charles Trenet, for instance, or the saccharine Tino Rossi). You will not remember how he derided the "bourgeois" (an outrage in those staid times) years before Jacques Brel did, but not in as acerbic or ferocious a way. And greater wit, if that is possible. He exploded on the scene, a total unknown, like a blast of fresh air.
I was 13 at the time, and his cheeky irreverence delighted the budding rebel in me at the same time as his indulgent mocking of his fellow human being filled the longing for love. It was the time I was writing poems - in maths class - for the girl in long blonde hair in the year before me I would never find the courage to speak to, while looking wistfully out of the window. The infinite skill with which his words are arranged in ultra-short, perfectly-rhyming strophes amazed me (think of a superieur Pam Ayres, with a better moustache). A great and sensitive poet for the people - if gruff in demeanour. I have never found a better one.
The tunes are simple but delightful, and a perfect accompaniment for the poems, for this is what they are. It is the words that matter, and what a delight it is to be able to understand every single one of them, perfectly enunciated in a most charming, not-too-heavy meridional accent.
If my house ever catches fire and I have time to save only two albums, this would be one of them (the other ? Jacques Brel of course). In fact I am seriously thinking of buying another copy, just in case something happens to the first one, at that price I might as well. I simply could not be without it.
So, did I like it, then ? What do you think ? By the way, this is the only review I have ever felt compelled to write. BUY !
Of course if your first language isn't french, much of his erudition and expert wordcraft will be lost on you, no matter how many degrees in modern languages you possess. And if you are under 65 you may not realise what a revolutionary he was, compared with the established crooners of the time (Charles Trenet, for instance, or the saccharine Tino Rossi). You will not remember how he derided the "bourgeois" (an outrage in those staid times) years before Jacques Brel did, but not in as acerbic or ferocious a way. And greater wit, if that is possible. He exploded on the scene, a total unknown, like a blast of fresh air.
I was 13 at the time, and his cheeky irreverence delighted the budding rebel in me at the same time as his indulgent mocking of his fellow human being filled the longing for love. It was the time I was writing poems - in maths class - for the girl in long blonde hair in the year before me I would never find the courage to speak to, while looking wistfully out of the window. The infinite skill with which his words are arranged in ultra-short, perfectly-rhyming strophes amazed me (think of a superieur Pam Ayres, with a better moustache). A great and sensitive poet for the people - if gruff in demeanour. I have never found a better one.
The tunes are simple but delightful, and a perfect accompaniment for the poems, for this is what they are. It is the words that matter, and what a delight it is to be able to understand every single one of them, perfectly enunciated in a most charming, not-too-heavy meridional accent.
If my house ever catches fire and I have time to save only two albums, this would be one of them (the other ? Jacques Brel of course). In fact I am seriously thinking of buying another copy, just in case something happens to the first one, at that price I might as well. I simply could not be without it.
So, did I like it, then ? What do you think ? By the way, this is the only review I have ever felt compelled to write. BUY !
Most Recent Customer Reviews
What can you say?
One of so many great figures France has graced the world with. Definitely a fantastic deal, fine package and clean mastering. Just buy it.
Published 4 months ago by bavaview
Great CDs!
I definitely recommend this album. Georges Brassens is a key French singer and "Bonhomme" holds his most popular songs. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Virginie H.
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