Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Waterproofing basement wall

My 100+year-old home in Slidell,LA. Below sea level! Has a small basement (14' X 20') with concrete walls JUST to ground level and then a two-foot brick foundation to the house sub floor. When it rains water seeps through the pores of the walls and in some places some very fine crack lines. I would like to paint/coat these walls with something to stop this.

I've seen literature/products at various home centers that claim that their product does just that. However I've read some of the literature and it gets very involved with "back chiseling", and etching, etc. I've tried this at a friend's home up north in NY and was not satisfied.

I don't keep anything in this small basement. It used to be a storage place for the previous owner's canned goods in Bell jars. Now it has only a sump pump, and if it can't be kept relatively dry without extreme and or costly solutions, with the exception of a Katrina hurricane, I'll except it.
Any suggestions are welcome.