Brel and Brassens, the two big names in song were also “magnificent neighbors”

Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens, two big names if not the biggest in French song. Two careers in parallel, two different writings but which often come together on the themes addressed in their texts. Everyone remembers this three-way meeting with Léo Ferré in 1969. But what we know less is that Brel and Brassens crossed paths well before on multiple occasions, and above all that they were neighbors of landing.

Differences in style

Both singers began their careers at the same time. Brassens released his first record in 1953, Brel in 1954. Both were discovered by Jacques Canetti, the artistic director of the Les Trois Baudets performance hall. But from the start, there is no denying their obvious differences in style. Initially accompanying Patachou, the Sète guitarist has a musical culture focused on jazz which he will infuse into all his work. The Belgian singer, on the contrary, will rely on the orchestrations of François Rauber to highlight his lyrical and passionate texts. This is another difference between the two performers: Brassens displays a quiet good nature, while Brel sings with passion and determination. As for his texts, they earned him the nickname “Abbé Brel” by his peer. It must be said that his first songs are sometimes quite naive and clearly demonstrate the influence of scouting and his Catholic education, when the mustachioed guitarist declaims raw, bawdy and openly libertarian lyrics from the very beginning. The first title of his first LP is none other than The gorilladisplaying an anti-death penalty statement under saucy pants, while Brel somewhat candidly invokes the Virgin Mary in pagan prayer.

But convergences of themes

On the other hand, this does not prevent the two authors from coming together on themes that are dear to them. This is precisely what the box highlights Brel and Brassens, the magnificent neighbors (Universal) which comes out this Friday, September 22. Five themes spread over five CDs which alternate the songs of one and the other: Love (And disenchantment too), Friendship (And fraternity too), Injustice (and society), The time that passes (and which sometimes does not pass), Death (And God too).

The loves of yesteryear thus echoes My childhoodwhile Do not leave me responds in mirror to Failure to propose. The two pamphlets Time doesn’t matter And The bourgeois offer a different observation on the evolution of stupidity over the course of life. The great Jacques consoles his friend I f while Uncle Georges finds comfort with Hector’s wife. And everyone delivers their will in their own way through The last meal And Plea to be buried at Sète beach.

In the introduction to each disc, excerpts from interviews illustrate the positions of the two artists. Exchanges which intersect and allow us to imagine the conversations they could have had on these subjects.

Next-door neighbors and friends

Besides, maybe they had these conversations, who knows? Because Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens were next door neighbors. In 1966, Brassens left Impasse Florimont to move into a duplex near Place Denfert-Rochereau. Their two apartments are on the twelfth floor of 5-19 rue Émile-Dubois in Paris, Brel on staircase G and Brassens on staircase D. We begin to dream of the two sharing a meal, discussing things and things. others, discussing their songs in progress, inviting their mutual friends around a plaster of pasta prepared by Lino…(Lino Ventura… of course).

What is certain is that Brel and Brassens had a very strong mutual respect for each other. They have spoken publicly on the subject, and their sincerity is beyond doubt.

Brassens was very moved when his friend died in 1978. Although eight years his senior, he must have seen him leave before him.

Two friends, two neighbors, but above all two great poets and composers. Two pens that are certainly distinct but which come together on the major themes of existence. So, what could be better than listening to them in concert, one after the other, one with the other. Brel and Brassens, simply two “magnificent” beings.

Brel and Brassens, the magnificent neighbors (Universal) – Released September 22