Thirty years ago one of the most brilliant Belgian singers and performer Jacques Brel died. It was reason here to celebrate this in Belgium. He was a real Belgian, with a Walloon mother and and a Flemish father. He was brought up in French as it was 'chic' to speak French then. But except 7 songs which he translated and sung in Dutch, most were in French. He was also a great poet and his lyrics were outstanding. Maybe his most famous song is 'ne me quitte pas' (the subtitles are a literally translation) 

This song has been covered in many languages by a lot of artists.This is a version by Cyndi Lauper

  'Amsterdam' . I love this one very much, it's simply a great song and a great performance.I get shivers all over my spine listening to this.

And the same song by David Bowie. To be honest the only cover that come close to the original in perception and understanding of it   

I'm sorry to annoy you with it. But I've been brought up with this music.

Sur le port d amesterdam il y a des marins........

love this snng

Dans le port d Amsterdam, Nico .......... sur le port d Amsterdam would be a little bit weird lol

Bit of Brel always nice around 6 or 7 am with the last of the bourbon...thanks for this

Got into Brel thru Scott Walker. Both artists are heroes of mine...

Is Brel held in high esteem in his homeland? It wasnt always that way..

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhGyD4ZZzY

"Mama, can you hear me yell?

Your baby boy's gone back to hell!"

Fedor, there was one 'riot' with him about his song 'les flamigant' which was a very sarcastic song over some kind of Flemish people and misunderstood by many Flemish ppl, He said always: 'I'm Flemish too, so I can write about them'.

Nice music Eric.I enjoy most types of music and listening to other music from abroad is great.

It's good to know the great man is appreciated in his homeland.

Never heard of this fella. But this 'Amsterdam' song is groovy.

Cheers... 8)

Think i've heard this guy before singing something else(which was also pretty good) but'Amsterdam' is certainly delivered with a degree of raw passion.Wonder if he was getting enough from his missus.

j ai la memoire qui flanche ,j me souvient plus tres bien.......Sorry about that.For my defence,it was late and my bed was calling me.