PDA

View Full Version : Amsterdam (Jacques Brel)



Martin Jonas
Jan-06-2016, 8:25pm
I don't think this fits into any of the recognised mandolin genres, so I post in in the general sound files forum.

This is a very simple instrumental cover of my favourite Jacques Brel song, "Amsterdam", played on mandolin with tenor guitar accompaniment. Nothing fancy, but I've tried to channel some of Brel's intensity, ramping up the crescendo throughout the song.

No shortage of suitable art to go with the song -- seedy port scenes have been a visual trope for painters for centuries, with accordions, mandolins and all the rest thrown in for good measure.

Played on an antique Italian bowlback mandolin and a parlour-sized tenor guitar.

1890s Umberto Ceccherini mandolin
Vintage Viaten tenor guitar

X7vhx_g_Mq8

Martin

JH Murray
Jan-06-2016, 8:56pm
Very strong intensity. well done!

wildpikr
Jan-07-2016, 7:49am
It seems to have a kind of melancholy resemblance to Greensleeves...nice selection of artwork in the video...I like it.

billhay4
Jan-07-2016, 12:49pm
Nice job, Martin.
Bill

Ron McKinnon
Jan-10-2016, 8:03am
I liked this very much! I agree the crescendo at the end really sets the right mood.

Gop
Jan-13-2016, 7:11am
Thanks for that, your playing really got the essence of that fantastic song! The lyrics to that are as gritty as it gets.
Bowie recorded this song in the mid 70's, accompanied himself with his 12 string guitar, a B-side on one of his 45's (to "Sorrow" I think), has always been one of favorites, chase it up, its well worth the listen. Bowie starts out gently mournful, builds up the energy with great riposte and belts out the final verses like there is no tomorrow. No mandolins on Bowie's version, but his 12 string sounded great! RIP Bowie, much missed.

Martin Jonas
Jan-13-2016, 11:22am
Thanks, all!

The David Bowie version (Link (https://youtu.be/l_LdJX-xga8)) is good, but my favourite English-language version is by Dave Van Ronk a few years before Bowie (Link (https://youtu.be/5fxw15KubjY)).

Of course, the definitive version is Brel's own, from the classic Olympia '64 show (Link (https://youtu.be/n2kkr0e_dTQ)) -- this was the first public performance of the song and remains the only Brel recording that was ever officially released.

Martin

billhay4
Jan-13-2016, 12:10pm
The Brel version is pretty powerful, isn't it?
Bill

Gelsenbury
Jan-13-2016, 6:08pm
All of them are powerful. But now I can't get over the resemblance to Greensleeves!

Martin Jonas
Jan-13-2016, 7:25pm
All of them are powerful. But now I can't get over the resemblance to Greensleeves!

Funny you should say that -- it's not something I noticed when playing the tune, but now that Mike has pointed it out it's difficult to ignore!

Martin