Drg
2005
The Olympia, 1961 & 1964 (Live)
About This Album
This double-disc set issued by Barclay's DRG label contains two complete concerts by adopted French son Jacques Brel at the height of his career (Brel originally hailed from Amsterdam). The discs were originally issued as two separate LPs. The 1961 gig offers the premier recordings of "Madeleine" and "Les Bourgeois" in addition to 13 hits. Brel's humor is sharp, like a stiletto. His reading of his hit "La Valse à Mille Temps" reveals him to be in great spirits and apparently included a bit of theater with a prop. In addition, the reading of his classic "Ne Me Quitte Pas" (Please Don't Leave Me) is perhaps his finest on record. Accompanied by an accordionist and pianist as well as a drummer and a brass section, the sheer joie de vivre of this performance is over the top. If the 1961 concert was a milestone in the utter joy of showmanship, the 1964 gig showcased the artist full of determination and confidence. Brel was tireless in his efforts to improve his singing and his interpretive skills. They are on fine display here, and the concert is utterly moving and powerful. Opening with the chilling premiere of "Amsterdam," it is evident from the very start that the vocalist is trying to transcend his body and the song itself to enter into some reality just beyond perception.
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Disc 2 (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.