Parsifal

Parsifal is a Belgian independent record label and distribution company based in Bruges. It was founded in 1974 by Nico A. Mertens (born 1942) and Gilda Behaeghel (1947–2017), who had previously started the artist agency Theaterburo Merlijn in 1968. The label grew out of that agency's need to record the artists it represented, and its third release — a live album by the local artist Urbanus on the Parsifal label — became a major hit in the Benelux region. Parsifal's catalogue spans kleinkunst, folk and jazz, with dedicated sublabels for blues and roots (Blue Sting, founded in 1984) and pop/rock (Halu, founded in the 1990s). Through its distribution arm, Parsifal Distribution, the company also represents and distributes imported labels in Belgium and the Netherlands. Its roster has included early recordings by Urbanus, Bert De Coninck, Alfred Den Ouden, Kristien De Hollander, De Piotto's, Gerard Vermeersch, Walter De Buck, Frans Joseph Goof, Orchestre du Mouvement Perpétuel, Grand Theft, Thin Line Men, Sois Belle, Yves Bondue and Le Vélo Vert, as well as rock bands such as Red Zebra and Givve Buzze, and blues artists including Big Bill, Hideaway, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Studebaker John and Lightnin' Guy. The company remains active, operating an online shop selling CDs and vinyl, and continues to release both new recordings and archival compilations, including jazz reissues and work by artists such as Tucker Zimmerman and Balkan Taksim.

Parsifal's history begins with Theaterburo Merlijn, an artist agency founded in 1968 by Gilda Behaeghel and Nico A. Mertens during the era of flower power and protest songs. Merlijn started as a home for local singer-songwriters and folk artists, and it has continued to work mostly with local Belgian artists, occasionally organizing small European tours with international acts. In the past it brought over well-known artists such as Smokin' Joe Kubek and Studebaker John for their first European concerts. In 1974, Parsifal Record Company was created to make recordings of the artists the agency represented. Its third album — a live recording by the local artist Urbanus on the Parsifal label — was a huge hit in the Benelux. Throughout the 1970s, the label released many albums by artists represented by the agency. In 1984, Parsifal created its blues and R&B label Blue Sting. The company continues to represent strong blues and R&B labels such as Blue Sting, Blue Loon, Double Trouble and Earwig, among others, including well-established artists, maintaining a reputation for recording good music. Although blues is its main business, Parsifal diversified into other, more commercial genres. In the 1990s it started its own pop-rock label Halu to release material from Belgian and American artists. In addition to its own release program, Parsifal operates its own distribution system in Belgium and the Netherlands for many imported labels, under the name Parsifal Distribution. The label has issued work by many artists, including early records by Urbanus, Bert De Coninck, Alfred Den Ouden and Kristien De Hollander, De Piotto's, Gerard Vermeersch, Walter De Buck, Frans Joseph Goof, Orchestre du Mouvement Perpétuel, Grand Theft, Thin Line Men, Sois Belle and Yves Bondue with his group Le Vélo Vert, as well as records by rock bands such as Red Zebra and Givve Buzze, and blues artists such as Big Bill, Hideaway, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Studebaker John and Lightnin' Guy. As of the present, Parsifal remains active, selling CDs and vinyl through its online shop and continuing to release new and archival material, including jazz compilations and albums by artists such as Tucker Zimmerman and Balkan Taksim.

• 1990

  Pop-rock label Halu started in the 1990s.

• 1984

  Blues and R&B label Blue Sting created.

• 1974

  Parsifal Record Company created in Bruges to record represented artists.

• 1970

  Third album, a live recording by Urbanus, becomes a huge hit in the Benelux.

• 1968

  Theaterburo Merlijn founded by Gilda Behaeghel and Nico A. Mertens.

Independent Belgian label and distributor specializing in folk, kleinkunst, jazz, blues and pop/rock, with a reputation for recording good music.

• Urbanus live album

• Tucker Zimmerman - Chautauqua

• Tucker Zimmerman Trio - Trio - 3CD

• The Art Van Damme Quartet - The King Of Jazz Accordion 2CD

• Balkan Taksim - Acide Balkanique

• Benny Golson - In The 60s 4CD

• Art Farmer - In The 1960s 4CD

• Don Ellis - The 1960s Albums 4CD

1. 1Parsifal official websiteparsifal.be
2. 2Who we are | Parsifalparsifal.be
3. 3CD Sales | Parsifalparsifal.be
4. 4Parsifal (platenlabel) - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org
5. 5Parsifal - Wikidatawikidata.org