Clayson sings Chanson
Chanson is defined by no less an authority as Charles Aznavour as ‘songs which you can’t dance to’ that is where there is more emphasis on the lyrics than on the tune. As a writer of relatively ‘wordy’ songs the genre has always appealed to me particularly when I became aware of Jacques Brel through the work of Scott Walker, so when Alan asked me to join him in putting together Clayson Sings Chanson in 2011 to tie-in with the publication of his Jacques Brel biography La Vie Bohème I didn’t hesitate.
We’ve been on the road since then playing venues from the 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street, The Bull at Barnes, The Half Moon in Putney and more locally, Arlington Arts, South Street, The Rising Sun Arts Centre and Norden Farm to name but a few. And to critical acclaim - recent media coverage has been fulsome with phrases like ‘mesmerising’, ‘a man possessed’, ‘a wonderful evening by a master raconteur at the top of his game’.
Further comment includes ‘His delivery and performance style has led to a deserved cult status’ (Time Out); ‘Definitely more than a performance—an experience!’ (New York Village Voice); ‘Hugely entertaining. Jacques would have approved’ (Rock ‘N’ Reel); ‘Everything here is equal to the doomed romanticism that was Brel’s trademark’ (Record Collector); ‘A complex emotional landscape of understated dynamics and dark aesthetics’ (Folk on Tap) - and ‘Simply incredible’ (Newbury Weekly News).
As well as works by Brel, Charles Aznavour, Scott Walker and other chansonniers, Gallic and British, we venture into curious but connected realms. Prefaced by an explanatory talk that is as entertaining as it is educational and by a half hour set of my own, the show appeals to both chanson devotees, those interested generally in Gallic culture - and anyone who wants to be merely entertained.
For further information see Alan’s website here.
We’ve been on the road since then playing venues from the 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street, The Bull at Barnes, The Half Moon in Putney and more locally, Arlington Arts, South Street, The Rising Sun Arts Centre and Norden Farm to name but a few. And to critical acclaim - recent media coverage has been fulsome with phrases like ‘mesmerising’, ‘a man possessed’, ‘a wonderful evening by a master raconteur at the top of his game’.
Further comment includes ‘His delivery and performance style has led to a deserved cult status’ (Time Out); ‘Definitely more than a performance—an experience!’ (New York Village Voice); ‘Hugely entertaining. Jacques would have approved’ (Rock ‘N’ Reel); ‘Everything here is equal to the doomed romanticism that was Brel’s trademark’ (Record Collector); ‘A complex emotional landscape of understated dynamics and dark aesthetics’ (Folk on Tap) - and ‘Simply incredible’ (Newbury Weekly News).
As well as works by Brel, Charles Aznavour, Scott Walker and other chansonniers, Gallic and British, we venture into curious but connected realms. Prefaced by an explanatory talk that is as entertaining as it is educational and by a half hour set of my own, the show appeals to both chanson devotees, those interested generally in Gallic culture - and anyone who wants to be merely entertained.
For further information see Alan’s website here.