branmusicfrance

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.

musica del Reggente di Francia Filippo D'Orleans, dal film di B Tavernier

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.

casa via Roma

rubytuesday

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.