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In my previous article about music (Five easy pieces - Belgian Music - Part I), I wrote about (Belgian) jazz, the appreciation of which is not what one might call widespread. So, here is a selection of five songs from completely different genres, or are they?

1. Will Tura - Eenzaam zonder jou

This one goes way back to my early childhood. It was the first hit of Will Tura in 1962, sold 60 000 times that year and can still be appreciated. In the clip we see Will Tura in 2008. The song is a rather romantic sing along. Will Tura never was one of my favorite singers, but for some reason I kind of like this song. 'Lonely without you'.

2. Zjef Vanuytsel - De Zotte Morgen

In the late sixties and seventies 'kleinkunst' was very popular in Flanders. The name 'kleinkunst', or 'small art', wanted to be an intimate artform, with mostly accoustic instruments. This song is 'kleinkunst' of higher level. The song ('The Crazy Morning) was written in 1970 and still sounds very good. I used to play it myself from time to time. In the clip we see a very recent picture of Zjef Vanuytsel, who actually is (and was at that time) an architect.

3. TC Matic - Oh la la

We also have rock and roll in Belgium. I remember having a whistle in my ears for a few days after going to a concert of TC Matic in the early eighties. Arno, the lead singer still performs. It's a pitty you don't see the performance in the clip, but the sound of this one is best. You can see TC Matic in action, with very bad sound quality,  here >>>

4. Vaya Con Dios - Johnny

In 1986 Dani Klein, back ground singer, finally reached her goal: having her own band, singing her own jazz, swing, latino songs. They had some major hits, also abroad. The band split in 1991 and Dani Klein started a solo career. During the late nineties she lost interest. This week I read an interview with her and her son in which they announce a new record. She's back.

5. Wannes Van De Velde & Roland Van Campenhout - Oorlogsgeleerden

You can't talk about Flemish music or kleinkunst without mentioning the recently deceased Wannes Van De Velde (on YouTube >>>). This clip is two in one, because we hear him in a duet with Belgian blues singer Roland Van Campenhout (on YouTube >>>).  They sing their own cover of Masters of War (Bob Dylan), in the dialect of Antwerp and in English. Goos pimples!