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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The cover version album for those who hate cover versions, 2 Nov 1999
There are few artistes who merit a mention for cover versions: Scott Walker ranks among the highest for this production. I live in Belgium, the home of Jacques Brel. Friends who have listened to this CD, that is friends from Belgium (both French speaking and Dutch speaking) and those who come from elsewhere agree that among the many covers of Brel, this one gives a sense of reality... of belonging... of understanding. Walker somehow manages to merge an orchestration with a sense of time and place... to make something meaningful of the generally great translations of these Brel masterpieces. Were I to search for a real weakness, it is neither in the performance, nor in the orchestration, but in the translation of one song... Jacky. Were I to search for a missing item, it would be Marieke... a song of which Walker could make great things. All in all a great introduction to a master in songwriting and perfomance, a wonderful testimony to Brel, and a showcase for Scott Walker, who deserves greater recognition that the pop artist of the seventies.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A creditable effort, 21 Oct 2005
OK, so it's not the real thing. I personally prefer the real thing (see my review of 'Quand on n'a que l'Amour'), but sometimes it's more relaxing to listen to the songs in English translations. Brel does not translate well in to English. Most translations are either so literal that the English sounds stilted, or so far from the original that the meaning and atmosphere are lost or changed completely. But as far as performances of Brel songs in English go, those on this album are good. Scott Walker seems to have a genuine love of and feeling for these songs. Of course, you could take individual songs and say: well, so-and-so does that better. For example, I think that Walker's rendition of 'Next' isn't a patch on the one by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and I found that his 'Amsterdam' wasn't quite seedy enough for me. But taken as a whole, this colection is good. Walker's voice is strong (though it lacks the biting edge of Brel's own) and the backing arrangements are very punchy. His performances of 'Mathilde' (what a perfect blast of noise and emotion to open the album!) and 'Jackie' are particularly stunning and faithful to the spirit of the originals. He injects real caustic irony into 'Funeral Tango', and 'Sons Of' is just so beautiful. If you only want one album of Brel songs sung in English, this would be a good choice, but do give the man himself a listen too.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scott Walker sings Jacques Brel, 6 Aug 2002
The combination of the disturbing songs of Jacquel Brel with the unearthly baritone of Scott Walker is magical. The rollocking "Jackie", which was considered so daring that it was denied radio airplay, captures both artist and writer at their best. The pulsating drive mirrors the subject matter of the song; the ravings of a egomanic intent on ultimate self expression. Walker's frenzied, yet paradoxically controlled, delivery captures this theme wonderfully. The seedier aspects of life are displayed on "Amsterdam", with drunken sailors indulging their boundless passions. Although Walker's vocals are technically faultless, somehow the essential purity of his voice detracts from the decadence the song depicts. "The Girls and the Dogs", is a song which now appears woefully sexist but situated in the context of its times it figures as a humourous commentary on the vexed nature of relationships. In a similar vain, "Funeral Tango", has Walker sarcastically berating the guests at his funeral. The tongue in cheek content and Walker's melodramatic delivery combine to produce an unforgetable listening experience. The final track of nine, "Sons Of", is truly beautiful. Walker's sensitive performance perfectly expresses Brels convictions of the unity of mankind and the sanctity of human life. In short, this is a seminal album of the sixties in which singer and composer unite to reach the heights of artistic expression.
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