This mammoth five-disc set is a wide-ranging overview of Serge Gainsbourg's career as a songwriter, composer, and arranger. It also showcases his ability to make actual singers out of actresses and models – there are a few duets here with Brigitte Bardot, and others. Those who are encountering Gainsbourg for the first time will no doubt be intimidated by this set, it is a lovely package that moves basically in chronological order; but the three-disc De Gainsbourg à Gainsbarre set is more focused and a lot more affordable.
La discographie de Serge Gainsbourg emprunte différents styles musicaux sans jamais perdre son éloquence et sa singularité, signe d’une maîtrise esthétique magistrale! Le 2 avril 2018 marque le 90e anniversaire de la naissance d’une signature artistique majeure dont l’influence ne cesse de se manifester. A cette occasion paraît en tirage limité “90 Séquences”, un nouveau coffret Best Of de 4 CD, du “Poinçonneur des Lilas” (1958) à “You’re Under Arrest” (1987), accompagnés d’un DVD inédit exclusif avec la participation de Jane Birkin, Etienne Daho, Alain Chamfort, Louis Chédid, Philippe Manœuvre…
Mick Harvey released Intoxicated Man and Pink Elephants in 1995 and 1997, respectively. They were two of his first three solo albums apart from being musical director for Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, and they are both tribute albums to Serge Gainsbourg. Harvey was among the first native English musicians – if not the first – to delve so deeply into the vast catalog of songs from France's great musical icon (who was Belgian by birth). Both titles feature well-known Gainsbourg tunes, done in English with their French titles placed in italics side by side.
La légende raconte que Serge Gainsbourg s'est décidé à écrire après avoir vu Boris Vian sur scène. Tant mieux. La chanson française a rarement connu un auteur/compositeur/interprète aussi atypique et talentueux que l'homme à la tête de chou. Il sera l'artiste de sa génération le plus demandé par ses confrères : Les frères Jacques, Hugues Aufray (qui chantent dès 1960 "Le Poinçonneur des Lilas"), et surtout ses consoeurs : Juliette Gréco (créatrice de "La Javanaise"), Petula Clark, France Gall, Brigitte Bardot, Vanessa Paradis… Que de chemin parcouru entre le titre qui le révéla au grand public en 1959 : "Le Poinçonneur des Lilas" et son dernier album conceptuel You're Under Arrest de 1987 ! Entre Gainsbourg et Gainsbarre ! Ce live, enregistré à l'automne 1985 au Casino de Paris…
Quiet. It is such a precious commodity, and more so today than ever before. In this music from accordionist Vincent Peirani and singer Serena Fisseau, you can actually hear it. It’s right there in the gaps between the notes, perhaps almost more important than the notes themselves. This music is irresistibly light and limpid, and often very cheerful too. It draws its intimate feel from the fact that Peirani and Fisseau are not just a couple artistically, but also in real life. They recorded the tracks of "So Quiet" for their children. And for all other children. And also for any adults out there who'd like to take themselves back in their dreams to a temporary state of childlike innocence – for the time it takes to listen to an album.
The talented sisters return with an album of enjoyable classics, containing songs popular in France over the last 25 years. It Includes Halliday’s Que je t'aime, Gainsbourg’s La javanaise, and Brel’s Vesoul. Star guests are Madame Monsieur, Nicolas Fraissinet, and Insa Sane.
In the hands of Richard Galliano, the mechanical intricacies of the accordion become agents of a compelling musical power, grace, and expression. A virtuoso of the instrument, Galliano exploits the complete orchestral potential of the keys, buttons, and air beneath his fingers. On Laurita, his musicianship is put in the service of utterly swinging jazz that is informed by the romantic and impressionistic influences of Galliano's French-Italian heritage. Call it the soundtrack for the boulevardier who likes to chase his espresso with a shot of bop. The core group on this 1995 session is Galliano, drummer Joey Baron, and bassist Palle Danielsson — a formidable trio in which Baron's muscular, musical touch and Danielsson's rich tone and technique have unfettered space to interact with Galliano's multiphonics.
Thomas Enhco is a legend in his home country France. The twenty-something pianist belongs to a group of innovative and very daring musicians. Didier Lockwood discovered Enhco when he was just nine years old and already a promising violinist. Shortly thereafter Enhco started playing the piano, too. When he was 18 the Parisian debuted with his album Esquisse, sponsored by master drummer Peter Erskine. It was apparent that in his compositions Enhco looks to make clear connections with classical music. The album was followed by Someday My Prince Will Come and Fireflies; two powerful albums yet again, and in between he wrote the score for the movie Les Cinq Parties Du Monde and recorded a CD with drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist John Patitucci. Enhco’s lyrical way of playing the piano and ability to improvise are particularly remarkable.