Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Much was made of Jacques Brel's decision to retire from the music industry in 1968, a resolution which, a handful of soundtrack recordings notwithstanding, he maintained until 1977, the year before his death. In fact, his silence was not as profound as is generally believed. In 1972, Barclay prevailed upon him to return to the studio to re-record 11 of the better-known songs which he cut for the Philips label at the outset of his career. Of course these would subsequently be disseminated over a string of future compilations; Ne Me Quitte Pas, however, draws them all together in one collection. Brel's original recordings were cut with a variety of arrangers and orchestras; here he is paired with his longest-standing allies: arranger Francois Raubert and pianist Gerard Jouannest. Their instinctive sympathy and understanding is this set's most noticeable asset -- Brel in the mid-'50s was a snarling dynamo, the likes of whom had never before set foot in a staid French recording studio. The results, while spectacular, were also uncertain. He retained that fire in 1972, but his companions knew how to harness it. The title track, "Marieke," and "Le Moribond" offer dramatic improvements on their original incarnations; other tracks are at least dynamic reinterpretations. Dramatically, too, one cannot help but note how Brel has borrowed at least a hint of presentation and arrangement from some of the English and American artists who took so much from him in the past: Scott Walker, Rod McKuen, and Mort Shuman included. The result might not be the purest of Brel's albums, but as an extracurricular curio, it is a fascinating listen.
© Dave Thompson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From CA$ 10.83/month
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Jacques Brel, Main Artist
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Album review
Much was made of Jacques Brel's decision to retire from the music industry in 1968, a resolution which, a handful of soundtrack recordings notwithstanding, he maintained until 1977, the year before his death. In fact, his silence was not as profound as is generally believed. In 1972, Barclay prevailed upon him to return to the studio to re-record 11 of the better-known songs which he cut for the Philips label at the outset of his career. Of course these would subsequently be disseminated over a string of future compilations; Ne Me Quitte Pas, however, draws them all together in one collection. Brel's original recordings were cut with a variety of arrangers and orchestras; here he is paired with his longest-standing allies: arranger Francois Raubert and pianist Gerard Jouannest. Their instinctive sympathy and understanding is this set's most noticeable asset -- Brel in the mid-'50s was a snarling dynamo, the likes of whom had never before set foot in a staid French recording studio. The results, while spectacular, were also uncertain. He retained that fire in 1972, but his companions knew how to harness it. The title track, "Marieke," and "Le Moribond" offer dramatic improvements on their original incarnations; other tracks are at least dynamic reinterpretations. Dramatically, too, one cannot help but note how Brel has borrowed at least a hint of presentation and arrangement from some of the English and American artists who took so much from him in the past: Scott Walker, Rod McKuen, and Mort Shuman included. The result might not be the purest of Brel's albums, but as an extracurricular curio, it is a fascinating listen.
© Dave Thompson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 00:57:08
- Main artists: Jacques Brel
- Label: Musical Concepts
- Genre: World Europe French Music
2011 Musical Concepts 2011 Musical Concepts
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.