Femme_Nudes

Le Temps des Cerises" is one of the most widely covered and long-living songs in the French language, yet it seems not to have been heard by the English speaking world . It began as simple, sentimental love song, words written in 1866 by Jean Baptiste-Clement, then was set to music in 1868 by Antoine Renard. In spring of 1871 it took on a whole new meaning: between March 18 and May 28 of that year, the Paris Commune emerged, a rare moment in history when the workers governed themselves in their own interests. Songwriter Clement was revolutionary, even fought in the Commune's final battle during the "Semaine Sanglante" (Bloody Week). Clement dedicated the song to heroic ambulance nurse, Louise Michel, also known as "the red virgin of Montmartre." It was then that the red of cherries came to symbolize the blood that was shed and red drapes of communism or socialism, "les belles" could be heard as "balles," canon balls, of course, to be avoided. Love itself would be redefined as revolutionary love for people, love of freedom, equality and fraternity. In this video I have included a number of artists starting from the 1930's with Jean Lumière. Other artists in order of appearance after Lumière: Deljehier, Colettte Rénard, Ariane Ravier, Yves Montand, Gina Fumaillon, Joan Baez , Zizi Jeanmarie, Bobbejean Schoepen & Geike Arnaert, Charles Trenet, and last, in 2008,140 years after the creation of the song, the hard rock band Noir Desir. Thanks to philipchek of YouTube and Paris for background info, history lessons, links and help with translation. Thanks to Marie Brown of Paris and New York for first singing this song to me.

A song for Daniel Johnston's comic book and app "Space Ducks." Live at the Sidewalk Cafe, NYC, April 10, 2012

The cockroach is a successful and long living species , here on earth for 350 million years, long, long before the infestation of humans began. Able to survive radioactivity, it will probably be here long after it's over. The good Professor Louie of Brooklyn has a rap for us about why the cockroach is so successful, hoping maybe we will take a hint before our short stay on this planet is over. Live at the People's Voice Café, New York City, January 7, 2012. Accompanied by Fast Eddie. Professor Louie Jeffrey Lewis' uncle.

"The Hurricane" is the third and last part of the "Poème Symphonique" by Jacques Brel dramatized , as only Brel can, to the symphonic music of François Rauber. For a beer Jean de Bruges, sailor and myth maker, tells how the world's worst hurricane ripped apart the northern coast of Belgium where Bruges is found, splitting the land to form a "suburb of Bruges" which would be named "England." The album this track is taken from "Jacques Brel Chante La Belgique," Barclay, 1963, was produced in a small printing of 500 and given away at a local political convention. It is now a costly collector's item. Janine de Waleyne. is the femine voice. Thanks once again to philipchek of YouTube and Paris for help with the translation.

Part 2 of 3 from the "Poème Symphonique- Les Trois Histoires de Jean de Bruges." Rare, unreleased. Jacques Brel/ Jacques Brel. Orchestral Music by François Rauber. 1965Never seen but often imagined by artists and sailors, the beautiful beckoning mermaid swims forever in our psychic deep. Before she was co-opted by Disney, The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen belonged to a great story teller, Hans Christian Andersen. Here we see she also inspired the love and passion of another great teller of tales, Jacques Brel's "Jean de Bruges." Buy him a beer, he'll tell you his story. Photomontage: Thelma Blitz Thanks to philipchek or YouTube and Paris for correcting and refining this translation.

Signs of protest from the New York City demonstration against greed and corruption in the capitalist banking system leaving many without jobs, homes and health care. Sept. 30, 2011. Liberty Plaza, Zuccotti Square, New York City, USA.

Poet John Ashbery came to New York University's Maison Française to read from his new book of translations of Rimbaud's prose poems "Les Illuminations" and to be presented with yet another honor, a medal of the Center for French Civilization and Culture. First he was interviewed by poet Ron Padgett who sits besides him in the video.. Next the prose poem "Après le Déluge" was read flawlessly in French by a fellow whose name I didn't get. After, John Ashbery presents his English translation, "After the Flood."What happens after the flood? Here flood, as in biblical times, represents the purification of the corruption of the human race. But after, sadly, Rimbaud shows it as returning to what it was about before: commerce, cruelty and false piety. The "precious stones " are buried in the earth again. It's so boring! ("C'est l'ennui".) He then calls for the floods to rise again, despite the sorrow and destruction they bring.For a deeper understanding of the symbolism in this poem if you can read French go here:http://abardel.free.fr/petite_anthologie/deluge_panorama.htmYou will find out things like how this poem relates to the socialist revolutionary Communards of Paris and their destruction by the church, why Madame X set up a piano in the Alps, and that there really was a Hotel Splendide which was a luxury hotel for wealthy Brits which burned down. Rimbaud sent it to be rebuilt at the North Pole, changing fire to ice and darkness, and putting the millionaires at a distance where he would have them. You will find out who Eucharis is and Bluebeard . I was fairly lost in two languages until I read this piece although I had studied the poem in school long ago. There was no discussion or Q & A after the presentation. This event took place May 12, 2011 in New York City. Thanks to John Ashbery for coming to read to us.

Bigotes" in French applies specifically to religious bigots, the holier-than-thou church ladies who push fake morals , center their lives around the church but lead smaller than life lives which have nothing to do with real religion . They are the target of one of Brel's funniest and most scathing attacks. This 1961 song was written at a time when he was shaking loose of an oppressive Catholic education and upbringing. Thanks once again to philipchek of YouTube and Paris for help with the translation and explanations of idioms . Words marked by asterisks are Brel inventions, turning nouns into verbs,usually. Video from 1966, Jacky in Madagascar.

Select Blendz is a group of American soul singers who sing great black music of the past. Hey Senorita is a doo wop or rhythm and blues song made popular in the 1950s by a group called the Penguins best known for a hit song called "Earth Angel." They sing mostly on the street but are quite professional . They have been all over the world, on TV and in major films. The lead singer in this video is named a Scout, a performer of great energy and vitality. They can be reached at selectblendz@gmail.com.

The 50th re-union concert of New York's Mecca for 1960's folk musicians "Gerdes Folk City" had 40 performers, octogenarian Roger Sprung and banjo picker Hal Wylie among them representing old time country music in a modern urban setting. For a short while, Greenwich Village was what it used to be famous for: good folk music, camaraderie, freedom, and good times.

VNRose3 — April 29, 2010 — Jacques Brel's widely heard complaint against militarism, regimentation, insensitivity and prostitution has long been known to the English speaking world through the 1968 translation of Mort Shuman and Eric Blau called "Next. " It was part of the highly acclaimed review Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and living in Paris and has been covered by Scott Walker, Marc Almond and Alex Harvey.Written in 1964, it is one of Brel's most powerful, dramatic songs. Live performance recorded by Claude Vernick for his 1966 film, "Sa Dernière Tournée--Jacky in Madagascar." Thanks once again to philipchek of YouTube and Paris for refining this translation from his native language.

— Radio station WFMU's regular weekly call-in show Seven Second Delay was broadcast, this week, before a live audience at one of New York's foremost comedy venues, The Upright Citzen's Brigade Theatre.Singer/Songwriter/Cartoonist Jeffrey Lewis was its musical guest. After a brief interview, he presented an unreleased song , a cleverly rhymed tribute to the art of attempting suicide which he called "Work in Progess" . . Regular host station manager Ken Freedman could not be there, so co-host Andy Breckman's daughter replaced him. Also in the program that night were Mad Magazine contributor since 1964 Al Jaffee, author of the acclaimed Bob Dylan book Positively 4th Street, David Hadju, and beauty pageant winner, Miss Brooklyn. April 21 , 2010,N

New Years greeting from Patti Smith at the 36th annual New Years Day marathon of the Poetry Project of Saint Marks Church in New York City. Patti reads a poem to the Russian surrealist filmmaker Andre Tarkovsky, The Boy, the Beast and the Butterfly.

The highest court of the USA passed a law making it legal to sell art in any park in New York City, then the police arrest the activist who made the passage of the law possible. He plans to sue for wrongful arrest.

On October 23, 2009, in the afternoon in front of the Chelsea Hotel at 222 W. 23rd St. in Manhattan, a group of Leonard Cohen Fans gathered to watch the unveiling of new plaque commemorating Leonard's 75th birthday and his famous song about Janis Joplin and the Chelsea Hotel. Over 300 members of the Leonard Cohen Forum contributed for this plaque. Cohenist Dick Straub , who created the project, and Leonard's lively sister Esther presided over the event. It was a photo op for all.