Barb Jungr ‎- Chanson: The Space In Between (2001) [SACD]

Barb Jungr’s original take on the songs of Jacques Brel marked her Linn debut and the beginning of a decade-long recording partnership. Barb Jungr opted to use specially commissioned translations by Des de Moor and Robb Johnson for her English language renditions; the songs losing nothing in their careful translation whilst allowing Barb to fully explore and explain the emotions within the songs. Chanson: The Space In Between saw Barb turn back to her European roots which had previously been overshadowed in performance by American genres such as blues, gospel and jazz.

Particularly notable is Barb’s delivery of Je Ne Regrette Rien (No Regrets). Barb states:’ I wanted to do something very different with it and this version, which is the translation Piaf herself used in English, seemed to me so much more modern than the usual one. A really contemporary “find yourself” song, a ‘Thelma and Louise’ chanson.’

Tracks:

01. Ne Me Quitte Pas 5:31
02. Sunday Morning St Denis 6:31
03. I Love Paris 3:50
04. Les Marquises 6:31
05. Cri Du Coeur 2:40
06. Quartier Latin 5:14
07. Marieke 4:02
08. April In Paris 2:47
09. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants 5:56
10. New Amsterdam 3:33
11. Les Poètes 3:18
12. The Space In Between 3:14
13. No Regrets 2:51

Personnel:

Barb Jungr (vocals)
Russel Churney (piano)
Julie Walkington (double bass)
Kim Burton (accordian, piano, kaval)
Simon Wallace (piano)
James Tomalin (samples)
Rolf Wilson (violin)
Kevin Hathway (percussion)