43. Jacques Brel | Olympia 64 (1964)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks
Olympia 64 (1964)

1. Amsterdam   
2. Les Vieux
3. Tango Funèbre
4. Le Plat Pays
5. Les Timides   
6. Les Jardins Du Casino
7. Le Dernier Repas   
8. Les Toros

Brel en public : Olympia 64 (1988)

1. Amsterdam
2. Les timides
3. Le dernier repas
4. Les jardins du casino
5. Les vieux
6. Les toros
7. Tango funèbre
8. Le plat pays
9. Les bonbons
10. Mathilde
11. Les bigotes
12. Les bourgeois
13. Jef
14. Au suivant
15. Madeleine

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[There are two versions of this album—A 1964 version titled Olympia 64 which features only eight tracks, and a 1988 version titled Brel en public : Olympia 64 which contains the complete performance. There is also a 2003 version titled Enregistrement Public à l'Olympia 1964 which has the same track listing as the 1988 version. The 1988 version is presented in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, but I am evaluating the 1964 version since that's what people would have heard then. It's not clear whether the editors and reviewer were aware of the different versions. It's doubtful that the 1964 version is available anyway.]


Olympia 64 is an entertaining album. Jacques Brel is an animated and expressive chanteur who wears his heart on his sleeve. His performance is mesmerizing. It's a shame that my French is so poor.

I was hooked on this album the first time I heard it. Amsterdam, Le dernier repas, Les jardins du casino and Tango funèbre are amazing.

★★★★★★★★★★