Jacques Brel - Quand On N'a Que L'amour (@256)

Just to give you an idea, we are talking here about a composer and lyricist (but also an actor and director) who is often compared with Bob Dylan as for the power of his songs. He has also been a major influence for David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Scott Walker, Marc Almond, Momus, Divine Comedy, the Tindersticks and for most of the singer-songwriters of this world. Many of his songs have been "translated" in English and performed by Joan Baez, Judy Collins, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band (my favourite pick with "Next"), Dusty Springfield, the Kingston Trio, Shirley Bassey, Dionne Warwick, Nina Simone, Gavin Friday, Nirvana, Walkabouts, Pearls Before Swine and Mitch Ryder to name just a few from the relevant extensive list. Finally, the off-Broadway act "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" which was based on his songs translated by Mort Shuman and Eric Blau, resulted in one of the most successful off-Broadway shows ever. Jacques Brel passed away exactly 30 years ago but his music continues to inspire.

This current upload is a brilliant compilation covering in chronological order his carrier up to 1972.

Jacques Brel info: here and here

album review link: here

download link (part 1): here
download link (part 2 with covers, info, credits etc.): here