Ne Me Quitte Pas

One of the seemingly innumerable Philips-era Jacques Brel compilations issued during the 1970s, Ne Me Quitte Pas is a double-album extravaganza rounding up five songs apiece from his first, second, and fourth albums and three from his too-frequently overlooked third, then rounded out by an apparently random selection of EP cuts. There are, of course, few surprises in store. The title track (better known to the Anglo-American public as "If You Go Away") and "Quand on N'a Que l'Amour," Brel's first hit single, are the most immediate selling points for purchasers seeking a quick introduction to the catalog -- "Sur La Place," "Les Flamandes," and "La Mort" ("My Death" can be similarly highlighted. Where the interest lies for the more serious fan is in the inclusion of such seldom heard sides as "Voir," "Le Prochain Amour," and the duet "Demain L'on Se Marie." None rank among the best of Brel, but, in breaking the domination of album cuts, they do offer something different -- and that, in the fast-filling world of Brel collections, is certainly nothing to be sneezed at! ~ Dave Thompson