Behind The Brel - The Story Of A Musical Genius

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012010031620120513 (R2)Marc Almond celebrates the music and unconventional life of the revered singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Relatively unknown in the English-speaking world (mainly due to him singing in French), Jacques Brel is rightly considered one of the great songwriters of the 20th Century, whose lyrical content is poetically introspective and startlingly honest.

Tackling subjects such as love, death and social issues, Brel's music has been translated by artists such as David Bowie, Scott Walker, Shirley Bassey, Joan Baez, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Rod McKuen, Terry Jacks, Nirvana and Vera Lynn.

Brel songs, which became major hits in the English-speaking world, include Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away), Seasons in the Sun, Jacky and Amsterdam. In this three part series, Marc Almond investigates why some Brel songs translated well and others didn't.

In the 1950s French society was heavily influenced by the philosophy espoused in Jean-Paul Sarte's existentialism and humanism and Marc examines how this had a direct impact on Brel's songwriting and unconventional lifestyle.

Dubbed 'the eternal adolescent' we will hear how Brel lived alone in Paris, despite having a wife and three children in his home town of Brussels, in order to preserve his 'artistic inspiration'. A man incapable of living a 'pipe and slippers' life-style, we discover how his sense of freedom was so strong he attempted to circumnavigate the globe on a sailing boat after sensationally quitting singing whilst at the peak of his career.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel.

022010032320120520 (R2)In part two Marc Almond looks at the darker side of the legendary singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Apart from Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away), the Brel song that has been adapted for the English speaking world the most is Le Moribond. Its English translation is the Seasons in the Sun, but it's actually a story about a dying man wishing to see his loved ones for the very last time. Terry Jacks had a huge hit with Seasons in the Sun in America, Canada and the UK in 1973, and it was covered by Westlife in more recent times, but Marc Almond discovers that no one quite sings Brel like Brel.

Marc examines Brel's preoccupation with death, loss and loneliness and how growing up in occupied Belgium during the Second World War had a profound impact on his life and work. The programme also investigates how the French philosophical culture of the 50s influenced him.

As well as Seasons in the Sun, the songs featured in part two include Quand On N'a Que L'Amour (If We Only Have Love), Amsterdam, La Mort, Au Suivant, La Colombe and J'Arrive.

Marc Almond looks at the darker side of French singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel

022010032320120520 (R2)In part two Marc Almond looks at the darker side of the legendary singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Apart from Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away), the Brel song that has been adapted for the English speaking world the most is Le Moribond. Its English translation is the Seasons in the Sun, but it's actually a story about a dying man wishing to see his loved ones for the very last time. Terry Jacks had a huge hit with Seasons in the Sun in America, Canada and the UK in 1973, and it was covered by Westlife in more recent times, but Marc Almond discovers that no one quite sings Brel like Brel.

Marc examines Brel's preoccupation with death, loss and loneliness and how growing up in occupied Belgium during the Second World War had a profound impact on his life and work. The programme also investigates how the French philosophical culture of the 50s influenced him.

As well as Seasons in the Sun, the songs featured in part two include Quand On N'a Que L'Amour (If We Only Have Love), Amsterdam, La Mort, Au Suivant, La Colombe and J'Arrive.

Marc Almond looks at the darker side of French singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel

In part two Marc Almond looks at the darker side of the legendary singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Apart from Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away), the Brel song that has been adapted for the English speaking world the most is Le Moribond. Its English translation is the Seasons in the Sun, but it's actually a story about a dying man wishing to see his loved ones for the very last time. Terry Jacks had a huge hit with Seasons in the Sun in America, Canada and the UK in 1973, and it was covered by Westlife in more recent times, but Marc Almond discovers that no one quite sings Brel like Brel.

Marc examines Brel's preoccupation with death, loss and loneliness and how growing up in occupied Belgium during the Second World War had a profound impact on his life and work. The programme also investigates how the French philosophical culture of the 50s influenced him.

As well as Seasons in the Sun, the songs featured in part two include Quand On N'a Que L'Amour (If We Only Have Love), Amsterdam, La Mort, Au Suivant, La Colombe and J'Arrive.

Marc Almond looks at the darker side of French singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel

032010033020120527 (R2)In part three Marc Almond charts Jacques Brel's unconventional side and the way he turned his back on family life in Belgium to pursue his dream of being a singer in France.

Marc also tells how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career before turning his hand to films.

We also hear how Brel's sense of freedom was so strong that chose to circumnavigate the globe in a sailing boat.

Meanwhile singer and actress Elly Stone explains the American adaptation of Brel's song - La Valse a Mille Temps which was brought to life in the States as Carousel for the musical 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'. Stone explains the rather difficult translation process used for Carousel.

The programme also looks at Brel's last days (when was battling lung cancer) and examines his legacy.

Contributors in this episode include US singer-songwriter Rod McKuen, opera singer Toby Spence, Brel's daughter France and Jean-Michel Boris, who was in charge of the Olympia in Paris for Brel's last concert.

Marc Almond looks at how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel

032010033020120527 (R2)In part three Marc Almond charts Jacques Brel's unconventional side and the way he turned his back on family life in Belgium to pursue his dream of being a singer in France.

Marc also tells how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career before turning his hand to films.

We also hear how Brel's sense of freedom was so strong that chose to circumnavigate the globe in a sailing boat.

Meanwhile singer and actress Elly Stone explains the American adaptation of Brel's song - La Valse a Mille Temps which was brought to life in the States as Carousel for the musical 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'. Stone explains the rather difficult translation process used for Carousel.

The programme also looks at Brel's last days (when was battling lung cancer) and examines his legacy.

Contributors in this episode include US singer-songwriter Rod McKuen, opera singer Toby Spence, Brel's daughter France and Jean-Michel Boris, who was in charge of the Olympia in Paris for Brel's last concert.

Marc Almond looks at how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel

In part three Marc Almond charts Jacques Brel's unconventional side and the way he turned his back on family life in Belgium to pursue his dream of being a singer in France.

Marc also tells how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career before turning his hand to films.

We also hear how Brel's sense of freedom was so strong that chose to circumnavigate the globe in a sailing boat.

Meanwhile singer and actress Elly Stone explains the American adaptation of Brel's song - La Valse a Mille Temps which was brought to life in the States as Carousel for the musical 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'. Stone explains the rather difficult translation process used for Carousel.

The programme also looks at Brel's last days (when was battling lung cancer) and examines his legacy.

Contributors in this episode include US singer-songwriter Rod McKuen, opera singer Toby Spence, Brel's daughter France and Jean-Michel Boris, who was in charge of the Olympia in Paris for Brel's last concert.

Marc Almond looks at how Brel sensationally quit singing at the height of his career.

Marc Almond delivers a personal exploration of the life and works of Jacques Brel