Here is a virtual movie of a reading a poem by the legendary singer songwriter director,poet etc etc Jacques Brel "Our deepest fear" The poem is read exquisitely in French and English by Canadian actor Dennis O'Connor who kindly sent me this recording. I have employed the visual services of an unknown moustachioed thoughtful looking Victorian gentleman as my visual reader of this delightful poem.
Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French pronunciation [ʒak bʀɛl] in French) (8 April 1929 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer-songwriter. The quality and style of his lyrics are highly regarded by many leading critics of popular music.
Brel's songs are not especially well known in the English-speaking world except in translation and through the interpretations of other singers, most famously Scott Walker and Judy Collins. Others who have sung his work in English include Marc Almond, Dave Van Ronk, Alex Harvey, David Bowie, Spencer Moody, Barb Jungr, Dusty Springfield, Ray Charles, The Dresden Dolls, Frank Sinatra, Terry Jacks, Nina Simone, Rod McKuen, The Kingston Trio, Gavin Friday, Jack Lukeman, Dax Riggs and Beirut. In French-speaking countries, Brel is also remembered as an actor and director. Jacques Brel has sold over 25 million records worldwide, including over 12 million albums and singles in France and Belgium
Brel was born in Schaarbeek, Belgium, a district of Brussels, but lived half of his life in Paris. He died in Bobigny in the suburbs of Paris, of lung cancer, and is buried in the Marquesas Islands.
Quotation
...in a man's life, there are two important dates his birth and his death. Everything we do in between is not very important.
- Jacques Brel
Although the Brel family spoke French, they were of Flemish descent, with some of the family originating from Zandvoorde, near Ieper (Ypres in French/English). Brel's father was co-owner of a cardboard factory and Brel started his working life there, apparently destined to follow his father's footsteps. However, he had no interest in it and showed an interest in culture instead,
Kind Regards
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