Album Review: Van En Over Breero by Ton Lutz & Breero (1962)
Alright, let’s dive into this gem of an album from 1962—Van En Over Breero. It’s not your typical music album; it’s more like poetry and monologues set to some atmospheric vibes. If you’re into spoken word with a touch of old-school Dutch flair, this one’s for you. Released on Philips Parlando in the Netherlands, it’s got a real artsy vibe, thanks to the creative minds behind it: Gerbrand Adriaanszoon Brederode as the author, Jaap Frank on design, and Gerard Piesaar producing the whole thing. Plus, Dimitri Frenkel Frank added some sleeve notes that make you feel like you’re holding a piece of history.
Now, I’ll be honest—I’m not usually the kind of person who sits down to listen to poetry albums. But there’s something about Van En Over Breero that sticks with you. The tracks are packed with emotion, wit, and even a little humor. Let me tell ya about two tracks that really stood out to me.
First up, “Breero” by H. Marsman. This one grabs you right away. The way Ton Lutz delivers the lines feels almost like he’s sitting across from you at a café, telling you a story. There’s this raw honesty in his voice, like he’s spilling his heart out but also cracking a joke or two. It’s not just words—it’s a vibe. You can tell Breero (whoever they are) meant something big to Marsman, and Lutz makes sure you feel every bit of that connection. Honestly, it made me want to go read more about Marsman after listening.
Then there’s “Klink-rijm (Margiete Lief!)”, which is just… adorable? I mean, how can you not smile when someone belts out, “Margiete Lief! Mijn Hart En Wense Van Mijn Leven!” It’s over-the-top romantic, kinda cheesy, but in the best way possible. The rhythm has this playful bounce to it, like it’s daring you not to laugh. It reminded me of those old love letters people used to write back in the day—you know, the ones where they’d pour their soul onto paper and hope the other person didn’t think they were totally nuts. This track is basically that energy bottled up into three minutes of pure charm.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going too. Tracks like “Amoureus Lied” and “Minne-brief” bring all sorts of emotions—love, longing, heartbreak—all wrapped up in language that feels both timeless and super specific to its era. And props to whoever decided to include “Van Gierige Gerrit En Modde Van Gompen.” That title alone deserves an award for being hilariously random!
What strikes me most about Van En Over Breero is how personal it feels. Even though these poems were written centuries ago, they still hit home in weird ways. Like, yeah, maybe I don’t live in 17th-century Amsterdam, but I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve felt lovesick or frustrated or just plain goofy. These tracks remind you that human feelings haven’t changed much, even if the fashion and slang have.
So, would I recommend this album? Absolutely—if you’re into deep dives into Dutch literature or just wanna try something different. It’s like stepping into a time machine, except instead of lasers and sci-fi stuff, you get poetry and monologues. Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: I bet if Spotify existed in 1962, this album would’ve been the ultimate playlist for rainy days and existential crises. Cheers to Ton Lutz and Breero for making art that still resonates today!
Minne-brief (Waar U Het Hart Bekend Van Die U Dit Doet Zenden)
R.L.: Lofdicht (Gij Die Door Groot Gemoed Op Opgetogen Zinnen)
Aandachtig Gebed (O Levedige God! Eeuwig, Goed En Almachtig)
Klaaglied (Mooi Aaltjen, Is 't Zo Haast Vergeten)
Liedeken (Al Ben Ik Schoon Liefje Niet Machtig Rijk)
Amsterdams Klaaglied (Hier Legg' Ik Afgesloofd)
Liedeken ('s Nachts Rusten Meest De Dieren)
Amoureus Lied (De Minne Die In Mijn Hartje Leit)
H.C. Hooft - J. v.d. Vondel - S. Coster
Images
Catalog Numbers
P 08073 L
Labels
Philips Parlando
Listen online
escuchar en línea
ouvir online
online anhören
ascolta in linea
écouter en ligne
kuunnella verkossa
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
Formats
Vinyl
LP
Stereo
Gatefold
Credits
Role
Credit
Author
Gerbrand Adriaanszoon Brederode
Design
Jaap Frank
Producer
Gerard Piesaar
Sleeve Notes
Dimitri Frenkel Frank, Ton Lutz
Notes
Recorded: May 4, 1962
Barcodes
Matrix / Runout (Side 1): 6AA08073 1L 1 670112
Matrix / Runout (Side 2): 6AA08073 2L 1 6701
About Ton Lutz, Breero
Name Vars
T. L.
T. Lutz
Interesting fact about Album
Here’s something cool: The album *Van En Over Breero* by Ton Lutz isn’t your typical music record. Released in 1962 in the Netherlands, it blends poetry and monologues instead of traditional songs. The tracks feature works by historical Dutch writers like H.C. Hooft and anonymous medieval poets, brought to life through spoken word. It’s almost like a time capsule of Dutch literary history, with sleeve notes and design adding to its artistic charm. Not your everyday listen, but definitely a unique piece of culture!
