Georges Brassens -- the French Dylan?

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Bureau of Public Secrets

2003-10-31 17:44:16 UTC

"Brassens and the other post-World War II French singers are
responsible for
the greatest renaissance of song in modern times. . . . The great
secret of
Brassens is that he speaks for the total unassimilables with complete
self-awareness. He knew that he and behind him his ever-growing
following
could not and never would be assimilated, and he knew why, and he said
so in
every song, whatever that song was about. With him the counterculture
comes
of age."
(Kenneth Rexroth, "Subversive Aspects of Popular Songs")

Georges Brassens was a lifelong anarchist, and his songs express a
lively
antiauthoritarian spirit, even if most of them are about the simple
pains
and pleasures of life rather than about specifically political topics.

He is sometimes compared with Bob Dylan. They are equally significant,
but actually differ from each other in many ways.

Unfortunately, few English-speaking people are aware of him.

In an attempt to help remedy this situation, I have put together a new
webpage which briefly discusses Brassens and the other creators of the
French "renaissance of song", and which also includes links to some of
the
most useful Brassens sites on the Web. It's at
http://www.bopsecrets.org/recent/brassens.htm .

* * *

BUREAU OF PUBLIC SECRETS
http://www.bopsecrets.org

"Making petrified conditions dance by singing them their own tune."

sophie

2003-10-31 23:10:08 UTC

Permalink

well, he sang and played guitar.
he was male.
er.

Post by Bureau of Public Secrets
Unfortunately, few English-speaking people are aware of him.
In an attempt to help remedy this situation, I have put together a new
webpage which briefly discusses Brassens and the other creators of the
French "renaissance of song", and which also includes links to some of
the
most useful Brassens sites on the Web. It's at
http://www.bopsecrets.org/recent/brassens.htm

jojo was god.
and I think your post was spam.
but there you go.

--
sophie
j'ai vingt-six ans (if only) mon vieux Corneille...

ravero

2003-11-01 11:08:40 UTC

Permalink

I would rather say Bob Dylan is the American Georges Brassens (started
recording much earlier - late 40s?)

RV

Post by Bureau of Public Secrets
"Brassens and the other post-World War II French singers are
responsible for
the greatest renaissance of song in modern times. . . . The great
secret of
Brassens is that he speaks for the total unassimilables with complete
self-awareness. He knew that he and behind him his ever-growing
following
could not and never would be assimilated, and he knew why, and he said
so in
every song, whatever that song was about. With him the counterculture
comes
of age."
(Kenneth Rexroth, "Subversive Aspects of Popular Songs")
Georges Brassens was a lifelong anarchist, and his songs express a
lively
antiauthoritarian spirit, even if most of them are about the simple
pains
and pleasures of life rather than about specifically political topics.
He is sometimes compared with Bob Dylan. They are equally significant,
but actually differ from each other in many ways.
Unfortunately, few English-speaking people are aware of him.
In an attempt to help remedy this situation, I have put together a new
webpage which briefly discusses Brassens and the other creators of the
French "renaissance of song", and which also includes links to some of
the
most useful Brassens sites on the Web. It's at
http://www.bopsecrets.org/recent/brassens.htm .
* * *
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SECRETS
http://www.bopsecrets.org
"Making petrified conditions dance by singing them their own tune."

Weatherman

2003-11-01 21:01:28 UTC

Permalink

I don't know how these comparisons can be made. It seems that every time
people get a half-decent songwriter / lyricist, comparisons are then made
with Dylan. This just emphasises how prolific and profound Dylan is. Rather
like comparing Shakespeare with every other playwright.

For what it's worth I have heard it been said more often that Jacques Brel
was more like Dylan than Brassens. Not having a good grasp of the French
language, I wouldn't be able to judge. However, I believe one
thing....neither Brel not Brassens, nor anyone else for that matter, has
moved or affected such a populace, such a wide ranging generation of people
across continents, languages and races, as Bob Dylan.
--
"He not busy bein' born is a-busy dyin'"

ravero

2003-11-03 10:58:24 UTC

Permalink

Post by Weatherman
I don't know how these comparisons can be made. It seems that every time
people get a half-decent songwriter / lyricist, comparisons are then made
with Dylan. This just emphasises how prolific and profound Dylan is. Rather
like comparing Shakespeare with every other playwright.
For what it's worth I have heard it been said more often that Jacques Brel
was more like Dylan than Brassens. Not having a good grasp of the French
language, I wouldn't be able to judge. However, I believe one
thing....neither Brel not Brassens, nor anyone else for that matter, has
moved or affected such a populace, such a wide ranging generation of people
across continents, languages and races, as Bob Dylan.
--

Being Frenchspeaking, I can tell you that both Brassens (from France) and
Brel (from Belgium) can be compared to Dylan when it comes to lyrics and
sarcastic comments towards society. But they both sarted recording much
earlier than Dylan did. A friend of mine, hearing the comparison, once said
"yes, but neither Brassens nor Brel ever sold their soul to the
establishment".

ez-link network

2003-11-02 03:35:10 UTC

Permalink

robertandrews

2003-11-03 11:14:34 UTC

Permalink

The better French comparison is with Serge Gainsbourg.

rankflv

2003-11-03 21:22:30 UTC

Permalink

BLAH BLAH BLAH. Oui. Tre BLAH BLAH BLAH. I can't help but dislike
everything French. Sorry.

poetman

2003-11-03 23:11:54 UTC

Permalink

I can't help but dislike everything French. Sorry.

That sounds like a terrible handicap to go through life with. Have you tried
the old Jacques Tati films? They are superb! Surely you can get professional
help - there is not so much stigma attached to making an appointment with a
psychiatrist like there used to be. People don't laugh as much nowadays when
they find out you're having your head looked at. I can try and help you - if
you like. What about a Jacques Tati film, then? I think they're all more or
less silent so you won't have to listen to much froggy talk. Or if you like,
you could watch the French-born actress Claudette Colbert in 'Tomorrow is
Forever'. She and Orson Welles speak English, it's from right back in 1946 -
and it's the biggest weepy ever made. If you can watch that without tears
running down your face like Niagara Falls then you're a better man than I
am. I cry bucket-loads every damned time - even though I'm a six-foot tall
muscle-bound macho type who works as a labourer on a building site. Maybe we
should visit that psychiatrist together.

my psychiatrist
is not interested
in what I want
to talk about,
he is only interested
in what I don't want
to talk about -
so much for the art
of conversation!

ravero

2003-11-05 22:41:27 UTC

Permalink

Post by rankflv
BLAH BLAH BLAH. Oui. Tre BLAH BLAH BLAH. I can't help but dislike
everything French. Sorry.

If you really want to look like a fool, why don't you try the correct
spelling in French:

bla bla bla. oui. tres bla bla bla.

RV

sophie

2003-11-05 23:03:25 UTC

Permalink

Post by ravero

Post by rankflv
BLAH BLAH BLAH. Oui. Tre BLAH BLAH BLAH. I can't help but dislike
everything French. Sorry.

If you really want to look like a fool, why don't you try the correct
bla bla bla. oui. tres bla bla bla.

sans oublier l'accent, bien sur...

--
sophie

Colin Ward

2003-11-05 23:27:34 UTC

Permalink

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 23:03:25 +0000, sophie