album · November 10, 1965
Ces Gens-Là
Universal Music Division BarclaySee this day
singer-songwriterfolk
This 1965 studio album features Brel’s original French recordings of the songs he would later perform in English in London, a move that ultimately proved creatively taxing.
- The album was recorded in Paris at Barclay studios with Alain Goraguer, who also arranged the strings and brass.
- 'Ces Gens-Là,' the title track, is an epic 7-minute monologue that paints a vivid portrait of the bourgeoisie.
- Despite its initial success, Brel was unhappy with the album, considering it too polished and the English translations too restrictive.
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who achieved worldwide fame for his intense, theatrical performances and deeply personal songs. By 1965, he was at the height of his powers, having already cemented his reputation as a leading figure in French chanson.
Tracklist
