BAD REPUTATION; Pierre de Gaillande sings Brassens (en anglais)
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Pierre de Gaillande brings his Bad Reputation project to Barbès, singing his English-language versions of songs by Georges Brassens. His translations retain the originals’ rhyme schemes and verse lengths, fitted to Brassens’ melodies.
Born in Paris, raised in California and now based in New York, de Gaillande is a singer, composer and guitarist who has devoted three Bad Reputation volumes to bringing Brassens’ work to English-speaking listeners. New York Music Daily called it a “chamber chanson project,” with de Gaillande “orchestrating and translating Georges Brassens songs.”
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.