John Matthews sings "Madeleine" by Jacques Brel

Theatre cabaret at Bewley's Cafe Theatre Dublin, Ireland. Starring John Matthews singing "Madeleine" by Jacques Brel.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Matthews
• Madeleine
• Jacques
• Brel
• Bewley's
• Dublin

[vaja95]

I really loved this version! It's funny, and I loved the preformence! Good job! :)

[johnthesinger]

@vaja95 Hi there :-) Thanks for your comment! J.

[literary123]

First time I've heard the English version of Brel,s song & I think this guy did an outstanding job. I loved his performance, great job dude.

[johnthesinger]

@literary123 Thanks for your comment! :-)

[johnthesinger]

There have been many negative comments on this clip. I'll try to explain that the song was in a cabaret show in Dublin (hence the English version). In the programme there had been some slower/sadder songs before, so this song was to lift the mood somewhat (hence the lighter/cheerier version). The live audience always liked it - but it keeps getting slated here. Thanks to those who have praised my clips and thanks also for the constructive criticism ... which is always welcome!

[NIXTER71]

I am so sorry but the English version of this song is no where near as good as the french one. Good attempt though as those who do not understand english should not miss such a joyful French song. Advice: listen to the French one by Jacques Brel. Madeleine Rules!

[johnthesinger]

Hi Nixter71,

Yeah, I have a lot of Jacques Brel CD's in the original French versions - I love them, they're the best! As the gigs here were in Ireland, I chose to sing in English!

J.

[CrazyKayzee]

sorry but erm 'she's my Christmas tree'??

the French version is so much better. It's not a bad translation but i agree it doesn't flow and tell the story as well as the orginal.

[kkrauan]

This man sings like an idiot.

There is no one better than Jacques Brel

[sxyzm]

My boyfriend doesn't speak french, so I showed him this, because it gets across the intent of the original very well.

[ilovemusicandanime1]

kill you

[lowlyloop]

Don't know if you are still performing this English interpretation, but on the whole I thought it was pretty good. I commend you for trying to do Brel in English, which is always going to garner some criticism :) Personal thoughts - I wish you could have somehow included the flower theme, but I understand how that could be difficulties. And as you go into the last phrase, you should make more of a contrast/build up from sad to the original blissful happiness, makes it more poignant/comedic.gj

[bellthecat2]

I'm mystefied by the negative comments. I like Brel in the original too but this song is the translated version from the musical "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" which Brel approved of an participated in

[philipchek]

From France - The song in this vid is not a "word by word" translation (it's anyway impossible) but it stays quite closed and honnest to the original, and even if Brel second degree is more dark, the way the song is presented seems to me honnest and good. It's a pleasure to ear this man singing a Brel song - I do not agree the negative comments on this performance.