22 October 2009 (gig)
24 October 2009
Jacques Brel would have been 80 this year and to celebrate, David Caulter and the Barbican organised a birthday bash inviting Brel fans such as Marc Almond, Diamada Galas and Camille O’Sullivan to show their appreciation of the great man and to sing some songs from his expansive back catalogue.
Being 'of a certain age’, seeing a concert at the Barbican makes a wonderful change from sitting in a puddle of spilt beer (or worse) at a dark dingy club. It has been a while since I have been here and I had forgotten how such a comfortable venue can really add to the experience. A free cloakroom and comfy seats puts a smile on my face from the word go. (I must be getting old!)
Momus starts off the proceedings with a slightly low key version of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas’. I guess he is feeling a little nervous but that quickly fades and by the end of the song the pitiful pleading of 'don’t leave me’ becomes more and more heartfelt and a wonderful, if a bit risky (this is Brel’s most famous song) start to the show. He warms up a lot during his second song and by the time he gets to the wonderful 'Les Bourgeois’ (Bourgeois Pigs) he is almost bouncing off the walls. He has updated this drunken rant against mainstream mediocrity to include Robbie Williams, which prompted a laugh or two from the audience.
The charismatic Arthur H is up next, singing in his native French and speaking between songs in limited, but very entertaining English. As an introduction to the upbeat 'Madeline’ he explains that Madeline would not be coming tonight, in a week or ever! I hadn’t heard of him before tonight but that didn’t matter as his confidence and quality of voice really shone through.
The final act before the interval is the imposing Diamanda Galas. You either love or hate this woman and I think that’s the way she likes it. She has no time for people that think she is 'just okay’ and for that reason she is a brave choice for tonight’s show. Fortunately I fall quite heavily into the 'love’ camp having seen her perform on many occasions. Tonight’s rendition of three Brel tunes was a classic Galas performance and leaves my spine tingling. I am not sure if the rest of the audience agreed but I am sure Diamanda will not lose any sleep over it!
The enigmatic Camille O’sullivan is the first out after the interval. Camille is pretty well known in Ireland and is gaining a large fan base over here with her alternative cabaret, favouring songs by Nick Cave, David Bowie and Radiohead. Her Mother is French and Camille grew up listening to the songs of Jacques Brel. This was a huge influence in her life and a lot of his songs have filtered through to her act. So much so, she has performed many Brel themed shows. She is a colourful performer and tonight is no exception. She starts of with 'Marieke’, sung in English, French and Flemish. You can hear a pin drop during this performance with everyone hanging on to her every word. She follows this with a lovely rendition of 'Les Vieux’ before stripping down to a rather skimpy outfit to sing the energy-charged 'Au Suivant’
Another of the Eurpoean visitors is up next. A chap called Arno with a voice even deeper than Diamada Galas! He reminds me of Serge Gainsburg and is really rather entertaining even though he appears slightly drunk.
The star of the show, Marc Almond comes on stage next, looking very dapper and less Rock and Roll than he has done in the past. If his demeanour has changed, his enthusiasm, humour and energy certainly hasn’t. Right from the start of his performance he looks like an excited boy in his favourite toy shop. He starts the first song by telling us that the last time he played this song he suffered a hernia. If this performance is anything to go I am surprised he didn’t suffer a heart attack. There was more soul and love put into it than I have seen in a very long time. His second song is a blistering performance of 'J’arrive’, informing us cheekily that he and his translator changed the title to 'I’m coming’ to reflect the nature of the song. Marc finishes his trio of songs with a rousing version of Carousel and then he disapears.
After a few minutes and an ear shattering amount of applause he returns to the stage with Momus and Camille O’Sullivan in tow to perform a cheeky and banter laden version of Jacky with all three singing a verse each. Momus is so hyped up he treats us to Tigger impressions, leaping accross the stage like an excited child. For the final chorus he shouts 'you!’ at Marc and thrusts the mike into his hand to finish the night off.
Unfortunately there is no encore but that doesn't distract from the fact this was one of the most entertaining evenings I have had in a long time . A special thank you must also be said to the highly skilful orchestra that accompanied all the guests with the exception of Diamanda Galas. Well done guys and I know now what a ondes martenot is!
