Something I should have talked about in this: Walker's love of arthouse cinema. His whole enterprise was really based on saying: "Why shouldn't we approach making albums the way that figures like Bergman and Tarkovsky approached making films?" This is really what I'm talking about when I use the word "coffee-table". Arthouse cinema was an established form of art in the 1960s and 1970s. It had its strengths (I went to see Tarkovsky's Mirror three times in a row when it came out), but can you just transpose those directly into popular music? Doesn't popular music have other strengths much closer to hand?
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer and became famous in the French speaking parts of the world. Scott admired the way Jacques composed and the way he sung.
While I would count myself as a fan of Scott's work, I haven't found myself listening to his music much these past few of years. Fortunately, I think that paired well with his habit of only making appearances once every decade, if he was releasing music like Tilt/Drift/Bish Bosch every year I'm not sure even the biggest latter-period Scott Walker fan could keep up. Apart from a few exceptions, Bowie was definitely at his weakest when he was covering/pastiching, though I believe there there to be the odd Walker influence hiding in his 70s material which was less obvious (as in: he's not aping Scott's voice). Something happened beginning in the early 90s where Bowie, at least publicly, began considering Walker an idol and it was a little frustrating at times. I don't think I'm particularly excited by Scott's catalogue of cover songs either, which is probably a controversial stance considering how popular his Brel covers are (not so controversial a stance when taking his early 70s records into consideration). I find the original songs on Scott 1,2,3,4 to be far more interesting both sonically and lyrically.
Have you heard Rod McKuen's translations of Brel songs? If so, I wonder what your thoughts are on his translation. I have a McKuen album of him doing the Brel work, and they were friends. His album is fine, but on the other hand, McKuen is not a good poet.
Yeah, I find McKuen's translations sappy and "poetic", just completely lacking Brel's raunch and punch. "If you go away on this summer day then you might as well take the sun away..." NO! Brel puts neither sun nor summer in his first lines, he has the woman there and he's absolutely begging her for his life!
He is endlessly referencing other people and talks very little about Scott Walker. To call Walker pretentious indicates that he evades the very subject he is trying to talk about.0
Nick Currie, to me that seemed more about you showing off about how erudite you think you are. Not impressed. No idea why open uni would ask you to talk about Scott Walker, it’s obvious you don’t like his work. You accuse him of being pretentious. A case of the pot calling the kettle black. I find you very precious.
Scott had the best voice I ever heard during the rock era!
Something I should have talked about in this: Walker's love of arthouse cinema. His whole enterprise was really based on saying: "Why shouldn't we approach making albums the way that figures like Bergman and Tarkovsky approached making films?" This is really what I'm talking about when I use the word "coffee-table". Arthouse cinema was an established form of art in the 1960s and 1970s. It had its strengths (I went to see Tarkovsky's Mirror three times in a row when it came out), but can you just transpose those directly into popular music? Doesn't popular music have other strengths much closer to hand?
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer and became famous in the French speaking parts of the world. Scott admired the way Jacques composed and the way he sung.
What a peculiar channel... Glad I came across your video on Scott Walker.
"OH, it's that cyclops again!"
my daughter:)
I have been waiting for a lecture like this. Thanks.
good to see you nattering. peace.
Good morning. I adore you.
Sublime. Again .
While I would count myself as a fan of Scott's work, I haven't found myself listening to his music much these past few of years. Fortunately, I think that paired well with his habit of only making appearances once every decade, if he was releasing music like Tilt/Drift/Bish Bosch every year I'm not sure even the biggest latter-period Scott Walker fan could keep up.
Apart from a few exceptions, Bowie was definitely at his weakest when he was covering/pastiching, though I believe there there to be the odd Walker influence hiding in his 70s material which was less obvious (as in: he's not aping Scott's voice). Something happened beginning in the early 90s where Bowie, at least publicly, began considering Walker an idol and it was a little frustrating at times.
I don't think I'm particularly excited by Scott's catalogue of cover songs either, which is probably a controversial stance considering how popular his Brel covers are (not so controversial a stance when taking his early 70s records into consideration). I find the original songs on Scott 1,2,3,4 to be far more interesting both sonically and lyrically.
I found your music by looking for Brel translations. You should do a video on Gainsbourg. I’d like to know more about him. Thanks man
Loving that jacket.
All week I'd been wondering what your thoughts on Scott was. Thank you.
Walkers influence on Bowie seems quite clear, but what about Peter Hammill? I rarely find him mentioned.
Oh...spending seasons in the old empire
Have you heard Rod McKuen's translations of Brel songs? If so, I wonder what your thoughts are on his translation. I have a McKuen album of him doing the Brel work, and they were friends. His album is fine, but on the other hand, McKuen is not a good poet.
Yeah, I find McKuen's translations sappy and "poetic", just completely lacking Brel's raunch and punch. "If you go away on this summer day then you might as well take the sun away..." NO! Brel puts neither sun nor summer in his first lines, he has the woman there and he's absolutely begging her for his life!
I love Scott Walker. Sorry, this is totally disappointing. The so called lecture about Scott Walker is the "lecturer" talking about himself.
Yes and has the shameless arrogance to accuse Scott of being pretentious!! What a scoffing, nonsensical arsehole.
He is endlessly referencing other people and talks very little about Scott Walker. To call Walker pretentious indicates that he evades the very subject he is trying to talk about.0
Nick Currie, to me that seemed more about you showing off about how erudite you think you are. Not impressed. No idea why open uni would ask you to talk about Scott Walker, it’s obvious you don’t like his work. You accuse him of being pretentious. A case of the pot calling the kettle black. I find you very precious.
Oh, thank you! You're precious too, Frances.
😆😆😆😆
Probably. On the other hand, Scott could have produced himself in a not so open and more avantgarde university.