Jake Thackray (1938-2002).
Website.
Wiki.
Obit.
More MP3s.

At times romantic, sometimes melancholy, often sarcastic; Jake Thackray delivered his meticulously alliterative lyrics as a lugubrious Yorkshire Noël Coward; detailed, humourous narratives of provincial and rural life.
A devout Catholic, Thackray's lyrics are surprisingly earthy.

After studying modern languages at Durham University; the Leeds born Thackray spent four years teaching in France and, briefly, in Algeria.
It was during this period that he discovered the chansonnier tradition of Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel and most importantly to Thackray, his hero, Georges Brassens.
Thackray also developed a particular folk/jazz picking technique rendered on an acoustic guitar, strung with nylon (as opposed to steel) in the Classical guitar manner.

Jake with Georges Brassens in 1970 (see article here).
Returning to Leeds to teach, Jake often calmed a distracted class with his guitar-led ditties and began performing his compositions in various Working Men's Clubs.
Soon after, Thackray was picked up by EMI and found himself recording his first album "The Last Will and Testament of..." in Abbey Road Studio 2 in March 1967 ("I like your gear, man" a passing John Lennon reportedly told him).

One of Jake's many TV appearances, performing Brother Gorilla, his translation of Georges Brassens' Le Gorille.
By the late 60s/early 70s Thackray had become a fixture on UK television, delivering topical satirical songs on The Frost Report, consumer affairs show The Braden Beat and it's successor That's Life!

Jake Thackray - Statues (1968).
Although largely forgotten now, Thackray proved influential on a subsequent generation of Folk singer/ comedians such as Mike Harding and Jasper Carrott and later chansonnier torchbearer Momus.

La-Di-Dah MP3.
The Black Swan MP3.
Country Girl MP3.
The Kiss MP3.

Although his delivery may sound strange at first to the anglophone ear, when heard translated into French, it makes perfect sense.
La-Di-Dah (Tra-La-La) (en français) MP3.
La Cygne Noir (en français) MP3.

All tracks taken from Jake in a Box: the EMI Recordings 1967-1976.
Thanks Jonathan!