Serge Gainsbourg

Following on the enormous success of Tzadik's Burt Bacharach collection, this second installment of Tzadik's Great Jewish Music series focuses on the songs of French composer Serge Gainsbourg. A superstar since the 1950's in his native France, Gainsbourg is barely known here in the United States - a condition this special tribute to his genius hopes in some way to remedy. In addition to Tzadik regulars, Tzadik is proud to be able to include tracks by Cibo Matto, Elysian Fields, Kramer, Franz Treichler (of the Young Gods), Blonde Redhead and many, many others. 21 tracks by 21 artists - over 74 minutes of music, all on one dynamic disc. This is an unusual project that you will play again and again, discovering new delights with each listen.

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.

You're Under Arrest, Gainsbourg's final album, was another collaboration with American Billy Rush in New Jersey.

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…

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…

Serge Gainsbourg - L'Essentiel Des Albums Studio 1958-1987 (2011) {Mercury 277 162-7 - 14 Albums On 12 CDs}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.40 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 958 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 176 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958-87, 2011 Mercury / Universal Music France | 277 162-7
Pop / International / Chanson / French Pop / French Rock / Western European Traditions / Cabaret

Being familiar with some of his work (basically the hit songs) I had no idea of the legacy this brilliant man has left behind. To my complete surprise this (ridiculously low priced) box set opened a new musical world before my ears and from the very first listening I have felt madly and hopelessly in love with Serge Gainsbourg's music. The quality of these recordings is matched by the quality of sound. The remastering is top notch and superior to most digital transfers heard today. I only wish this incredible set had been released on vinyl as well.