'Vreeswijk is the best we have received from the Netherlands since Rembrandt' is the view of the Swedish literary critic Bengt Holmqvist. The IJmuidenaar Cornelis Vreeswijk (1937-1987) who emigrated to Sweden at the age of twelve is a legendary celebrity in his second homeland. The troubadour, who died of liver cancer in 1987, made many beautiful songs in the diverse styles of folk, blues, rock,
… jazz and samba: bold love songs, humorous ballads and controversial socially critical songs. Vreeswijk was a phenomenon because of his distinct hoarse melodic voice, his strong song lyrics and his turbulent life with drugs, drink and women. His dozens of Swedish records were hugely successful, but apart from songs like Veronica and De Nozem En De Non, his three Dutch-language albums did not bring lasting fame. The 52-minute documentary Cornelis Vreeswijk Lever! Lives! contains little music, but Hans Polak gauges to what extent the singer and songwriter still lives in the memory of the Dutch and Swedes. In Sweden, both old and young (street singers, students, rappers) turn out to be able to sing a piece of Vreeswijk. Sweden honors Vreeswijk with a museum, music festival, an annual memorial concert and a Cornelispark! After seeing the documentary you will inevitably become very curious about Vreeswijk's music. (SvdP) but Hans Polak probes to what extent the singer and songwriter still lives in the memory of the Dutch and Swedes. In Sweden, both old and young (street singers, students, rappers) turn out to be able to sing a piece of Vreeswijk. Sweden honors Vreeswijk with a museum, music festival, an annual memorial concert and a Cornelis Park! After seeing the documentary you inevitably become very curious about the music of Vreeswijk. (SvdP) but Hans Polak probes to what extent the singer and songwriter still lives in the memory of the Dutch and Swedes. In Sweden, both old and young (street singers, students, rappers) turn out to be able to sing a piece of Vreeswijk. Sweden honors Vreeswijk with a museum, music festival, an annual memorial concert and a Cornelispark! After seeing the documentary you inevitably become very curious about the music of Vreeswijk. (SvdP)more