Dick Annegarn

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dick Annegarn (born in The Hague, May 6, 1952) is a Dutch singer-songwriter who sings mostly in French, although on occasion Dutch and English. He spent his youth in Brussels, and after having learned to play guitar he went to Paris, where he recorded his first album in 1973, which was very successful; although nearly never happened, as his money had run out and he was ready to return home before finding a producer for his songs just as he was about to leave. This was the subject of his most well known song "Bruxelles".

He quit the music business in 1978 at the height of his fame citing its corrupt nature and then worked on social projects in Paris before slowly returning to music, working often with avant garde and occidental musicians, before releasing a string of brilliant albums in the late 90's up to 'Plouc' (2005), where he played with musicians from the south of France, accompanying his unique voice & guitar with often sparse and unusual arrangements played on brass instruments.

Proclaimed by many as the "son of Jacques Brel"; he is one of the most well respected current day troubadours of the chanson, plus a charismatic and irreverent performer. He does not like the musical trade and prefers an underground lifestyle.

Because he is not French but a Dutchman educated in Brussels & Paris, he has a unique French singing voice, very guttural and well articulated. His lyrics are sublime "poetry of the earth" and he has a playful yet caustic sense of humour with emotive, stark and imaginative arrangements like Townes Van Zandt or John Martyn. His "outsider" status as a gay man was also the subject of his 'Un' Ombre' album.