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

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 17 May 2017 02:00

Music Played

  • The Beta Band

    Out-Side

    • Regal.
  • Main Source

    Fakin' the Funk (Remix)

    • Wild Pitch Records.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Mar 2010 23:30
  • Sun 20 May 2012 20:00
  • Wed 5 Dec 2012 00:00
  • Thu 28 Aug 2014 02:00
  • Wed 5 Aug 2015 02:00
  • Wed 29 Jun 2016 02:00
  • Wed 17 May 2017 02:00