SERGE GAINSBOURG
VA - Serge Gainsbourg's Pop Legacy (A Hervé Guilleminot Special Presentation) [2024] (6 x CDs)
Serge Gainsbourg (2 April 1928 - 2 March 1991) was a French singer-songwriter, actor, composer, and director. Regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop, he was renowned for often provocative releases which caused uproar in France, dividing public opinion. His artistic output ranged from his early work in jazz, chanson, and yé-yé to later efforts in rock, zouk, funk, reggae, and electronica. Gainsbourg's varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorise, although his legacy has been firmly established and he is often regarded as one of the world's most influential popular musicians.
His lyrical works incorporated wordplay, with humorous, bizarre, provocative, sexual, satirical or subversive overtones. Gainsbourg wrote over 550 songs, which have been covered more than 1,000 times by diverse artists. Since his death from a second heart attack in 1991, Gainsbourg's music has reached legendary stature in France. While controversial in his lifetime, he has become one of France's best-loved public figures. He has also gained a cult following all over the world with chart success in the United Kingdom and Belgium with "Je t'aime... moi non plus" and "Bonnie and Clyde", respectively.
Since his death, Gainsbourg's music has reached legendary stature in France. In his native country, artists like the bands Air, Stereolab and BB Brunes (who named themselves after Gainsbourg's song "Initials B.B."), singers Benjamin Biolay, Vincent Delerm, Thomas Fersen and Arthur H have cited him as an influence. He has also gained a following in the English-speaking world from artists like Jarvis Cocker of Pulp, Beck, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, Portishead, Massive Attack, Mike Patton of Faith No More and Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy.Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey has recorded four cover albums sung in English and he is referenced by name in the song "Aloo Gobi" by American rock band Weezer. Gainsbourg's music has been sampled by several hip hop artists, including songs by Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes and MC Solaar.
The Parisian house in which Gainsbourg lived from 1969 until 1991, at 5 bis Rue de Verneuil, remains a celebrated shrine, with his ashtrays and collections of various items, such as police badges and bullets, intact. The outside of the house is covered in graffiti dedicated to Gainsbourg, as well as with photographs of significant figures in his life, including Bardot and Birkin. In 2008, Paris' Cité de la Musique held the Gainsbourg 2008 exhibition, curated by sound artist Frédéric Sanchez.
Gainsbourg has been described as an unlikely sex symbol and fashion icon, noted for his sharp suits, white Repetto shoes, double-denim, green United States Army shirts and pinstripe jackets.
Comic artist Joann Sfar wrote and directed the biographical film of his life Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) (2010). Gainsbourg is portrayed by Eric Elmosnino as an adult and Kacey Mottet Klein as a child. The film won three César Awards, including Best Actor for Elmosnino, and was nominated for an additional eight. (Wikipedia)
To pay tribute to the creativity of Serge Gainsbourg, here is a series of 162 performers and songs, with of course French performers, but also numerous Anglo-Saxon artists and groups who were all inspired by the sounds of the French creator. Some tributes are more tenuous than others, but the essential thing is to note that the singer-songwriter experienced a real resurgence in popularity after his death in 1991, with an audience of musicians including Beck, Pulp or Massive Attack. For those who would like to be interested in Serge Gainsbourg, I advise them to start by listening to his most dissected album among Anglo-Saxons, L’Histoire de Melody Nelson (1971), then to continue with his albums from the end of the 60s, marked by Carnaby Street and psychedelism: Bonnie and Clyde (1968), Initials B.B (1968) and Jane Birkin - Serge Gainsbourg (1969). And then take the time to study his albums from the 70s, quite cursed because they were very little known during his lifetime: Vu de l’extérieur (1973), Rock Around the Bunker (1975) and L'Homme à la tête de chou (1976). Happy listening! (Hervé Guilleminot)
==========================================================
or
===========================================================
Track lists
CD1
1 - Serge Gainsbourg - Ballade de Melody Nelson - 1971
2 - Arnaud Fleurent-Didier France Culture - 2009
3 - Beck - Paper Tiger - 2002
4 - Portishead - Glory Box - 1994
5 - Momus - Bishonen - 1988
6 - Isabelle Huppert & Jean-Louis Murat - Contre l'amour - 2001
7 - De La Soul - Not Over Till the Fat Lady Plays the Demo - 1991
8 - MC Solaar - Nouveau western - 1994
9 - Lightspeed Champion - The Big Guns Of Highsmith - 2010
10 - Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Songs That We Sing - 2006
11 - Rufus Wainwright - The One You Love - 2004
12 - Bertrand Belin ft. Tatiana Mladenovitch - Hypernuit - 2010
13 - Ivy - Keep Moving - 2005
14 - Bijou ft. Serge Gainsbourg - Les papillons noirs - 1978
15 - Cibelle - Phoenix - 2006
16 - Mirwais - V.I. (The Last Words She Said Before Leaving) - 2000
17 - Mick Harvey - Louise (Scott Walker cover) - 2005
18 - Pascal Parisot ft. Frédérique Dastevigne - Je t'aime - 2000
19 - Depth Charge - Daughters Of Darkness - 1994
20 - Camille - Baby carni bird - 2005
21 - Luna - Moon Palace - 1995
22 - Avril - Urban Serenade - 2004
23 - Arthur H - Luna Park - 2008
24 - Tindersticks - Let's Pretend - 1997
25 - Michel Houellebecq - Séjour-Club - 2000
26 - Luke Vibert - Voyage Into The Unknown - 1997
27 - Jacques Dutronc - Le testamour - 1975
CD2
1 - Françoise Hardy - Comment te dire adieu ? - 1968
2 - Mari Natsuki - Uragiri (裏切り) - 1978
3 - Morcheeba - The Sea - 1998
4 - Marianne Faithfull - Last Song - 2005
5 - Brigitte Bardot - La fille de paille - 1969
6 - Texas - Guitar Song - 2001
7 - André Popp - Sous la neige - 1973
8 - Stereolab - Ping Pong - 1994
9 - Beach House - Wishes - 2012
10 - Nino Ferrer - Isabelle - 1972
11 - David Holmes - Don't Die Just Yet - 1997
12 - Sara Forestier - Baby Pop (SG cover) - 2010
13 - Weezer - Aloo Gobi - 2021
14 - Jean-Claude Vannier & Serge Gainsbourg - Cannabis - 1970
15 - Beastie Boys ft. Miho Hatori - I Don't Know - 1998
16 - Etienne Daho - Nocturne - 2017
17 - The Folk Implosion - Serge - 1999
18 - Jad Wio - Fleur de métal - 1992
19 - Sean Lennon - Dead Meat - 2006
20 - Beastie Boys - Boomin' Granny - 1992
21 - Gotye - A Distinctive Sound - 2006
22 - Dominique Dalcan - Au bénéfice du doute - 1994
23 - Iggy Pop - I Want To Go To The Beach - 2009
24 - Olivier Libaux ft. Helena Noguerra & Katerine - L'héroïne au bain - 2003
25 - Matthew Herbert - The Last Beat - 2001
26 - Aquaserge - Un grand sommeil noir - 2021
27 - The Divine Comedy - At The Indie Disco - 2010
CD3
1 - Jeanette Dimech - ¿Por qué te vas? - 1976
2 - Mireille Darc - Hélicoptère - 1969
3 - Massive Attack - Karmacoma (Portishead Experience) - 1995
4 - Lulu Gainsbourg - Jeux d'enfants - 2018
5 - Sébastien Tellier - L'amour et la violence - 2008
6 - Danger Mouse & Jemini The Gifted One - Live On Both Sides - 2002
7 - Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un m'a dit - 2002
8 - April March - Sugar - 1996
9 - Melody's Echo Chamber - Visions Of Someone Special, On a Wall Of Reflections - 2018
10 - Clinic - I'm Aware - 2010
11 - Jacques - Dans la radio - 2017
12 - Vanessa Daou - Autumn Perspective - 1995
13 - Michel Colombier - Générique + Breakdown (track/suite 1/suite 2) - 1967
14 - Django Django ft. Isabelle Woodhouse - Lunar Vibrations - 2023
15 - Brigitte - Palladium - 2017
16 - Kat Onoma - The Animals - 1989
17 - Tropic Hotel - Viens (Chico Buarque cover) - 2024
18 - A House - Endless Art - 1991
19 - Jean-François Coen ft. Sophie Bonne - Camille - 1993
20 - The Dø - Anita No! - 2014
21 - Cibo Matto ft. Sean Lennon - Je t'aime, moi non plus (SG cover) - 1997
22 - Count Indigo - Loving It Back Again - 2003
23 - Michel Magne ft. Martial Solal - Rose des vents - 1966
24 - Feist - The Limit To Your Love - 2007
25 - Chilly Gonzales - Knight Moves - 2010
26 - Christine And The Queens - Full Of Life - 2023
27 - Viktor Lazlo - Canoë rose - 1985
CD4
1 - Pizzicato Five - Watashi No Subete (私のすべて) - 1991
2 - GZA ft. Method Man - Shadowboxin' - 1995
3 - Berry - Le bonheur - 2008
4 - Air - La femme d'argent - 1998
5 - Donna Blue - Fantasy Girl - 2023
6 - Taxi Girl - Petit jardin chinois - 1981
7 - Howie B. ft. Robbie Robertson - Take Your Partner By The Hand - 1997
8 - Hervé - Cœur poids plume - 2020
9 - Pulp - Babies - 1994
10 - Katerine - Amiami - 2014
11 - Kruder & Dorfmeister - Dope - 2020
12 - Christian Marclay - Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg - 1989
13 - Isabelle Antena - Noelle à Hawaii - 1982
14 - Barry Adamson - Saturn In The Summertime - 1999
15 - Cathy Claret - Toi - 1990
16 - The Kills - I Call It Art (La chanson de Slogan) (SG cover) - 2006
17 - Fred Pallem et le Sacre du Tympan - Death And Life Of A Suburban Guy - 2018
18 - Marc Almond & Trash Palace - Boy Toy (I'm The Boy) (SG cover) - 2006
19 - Yves Simon - Raconte-toi - 1975
20 - Miossec - Une bonne carcasse - 1997
21 - Michael Stipe - L'hôtel (L'hôtel particulier) (SG cover) - 2006
22 - Kazuko Hohki - La pluie (Sheila cover) - 1990
23 - Mustang - C'est fini - 2009
24 - Tame Impala - Apocalypse Dreams - 2012
25 - Juniore - A la plage - 2015
26 - Yo La Tengo - Moby Octopad - 1997
27 - Jane Birkin - Yesterday, Yes A Day - 1977
CD5
1 - Kylie Minogue - Sensitized - 2007
2 - Czerkinsky - Natacha - 1998
3 - Brad Mehldau & Mark Guiliana - Gainsbourg - 2014
4 - Khruangbin - Cómo Me Quieres - 2018
5 - Jean-Claude Brialy - Boomerang - 1967
6 - Alain Chamfort ft. April March - Les spécialistes - 2003
7 - EPMD ft. Method Man, Redman & Lady Luck - Symphony 2000 - 1999
8 - Tanger ft. Nina Morato - Parti chercher des cigarettes - 2008
9 - Balthazar - The Silence - 2015
10 - Lou Doillon - Devil Or Angel - 2012
11 - Saint Etienne - Avenue - 1993
12 - Michael Fassbender, Carla Azar & Stephen Rennicks - I Love You All - 2014
13 - Vanessa Paradis - La vague à lames - 1990
14 - Eyedress ft. Dent May - Something About You - 2022
15 - Vincent Delerm - Les filles de 1973 ont trente ans - 2004
16 - Felt - Crystall Ball - 1984
17 - Julien Doré - Baie des anges - 2011
18 - Blonde Redhead - La chanson de Slogan (SG cover) - 1997
19 - Bertrand Burgalat - TSOM - 2000
20 - Catherine Deneuve - Overseas Telegram (SG cover) - 1981
21 - Connan Mockasin - It's Choade My Dear - 2011
22 - Mike Patton & Jean-Claude Vannier - Camion - 2019
23 - Stereo Total - Relax Baby Be Cool - 2007
24 - Jo Lemaire - La nuit te ressemble - 1990
25 - Buzzy Lee - Coolhand - 2018
26 - Alain Bashung - Angora - 1998
27 - Fumie Hosakawa - Poupée de cire, poupée de son (SG cover) - 1995
CD6
1 - Ian McCulloch ft. Liz Fraser - Candleland - 1989
2 - Goldfrapp - Human - 2000
3 - Coralie Clément - Samba de mon cœur qui bat - 2001
4 - Benjamin Biolay ft. Chiara Mastroianni - Quelque part on m'attend - 2004
5 - Galaxie 500 - Another Day - 1989
6 - Jean-Louis Murat, Fred Jimenez & Jennifer Charles - Mirabelle Mirabeau - 2004
7 - Battles ft. Kazu Makino - Sweetie & Shag - 2011
8 - Jay-Jay Johanson ft. Valérie Leulliot - Jay-Jay Johanson - 1998
9 - Luscious Jackson - Deep Shag - 1994
10 - Keren Ann - Seule - 2000
11 - Mr. Bungle - Violenza domestica - 1995
12 - Matthieu Boogaerts - Ondulé - 1996
13 - Anna Calvi - Hunter - 2018
14 - Eggstone - Brass - 1999
15 - Mikado - Si tu m'aimes - 1985
16 - Arlo Parks ft. Lous and The Yakuza - I'm Sorry - 2023
17 - Kid Loco - Casey Jones - 2022
18 - Natsuo Ishido - La noyée (SG cover) - 1995
19 - Fatboy Slim - The Journey - 2004
20 - Feu! Chatterton - Cristaux liquides - 2021
21 - Elysian Fields - Black Acres - 2000
22 - Dan The Automator ft. Jennifer Charles - To Catch A Thief - 2001
23 - The Rakes - Just A Man With A Job (Le poinçonneur des Lilas) (SG cover) - 2006
24 - Louis Philippe - Fallen Snow - 2007
25 - Kahimi Karie - Zoom Up! - 1998
26 - DJ Shadow - Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul) - 1997
27 - Serge Gainsbourg - Manon - 1969
=============================================================
=============================================================
Merci Hervé and BB
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Doc!
DeleteMerci pour cette sympathique approche de l'énergumène, il la mérite bien;
ReplyDeleteMerci Sorgual!
DeleteJe viens d'écouter les trois premiers, c'est vraiment du beau travail. Merci pour quelques découvertes que je vais explorer.
DeleteMerci Hervé et Garçon au beurre ;-)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you guys ever thought of making such a compilation of songs influenced by Nick Drake. That would be great.
Merci Peerke. Nick Drake would be great indeed! Kings of Convenience, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith... There is lot to dig... Let me breathe and I'll dive back in...
DeleteWow, what a smorgasbord of Gainsbourg covers -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteNot only covers MrDave... but also tracks influenced... Thanks a lot!
ReplyDeletesacré taf! Merci BB et Hervé
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to reup the link for: VA - In The Charts OCTOBER 1963 (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1+CD2+CD3. Big Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike Johnstone.
DeleteYou can find it here.
https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2024/03/va-in-charts-1963-butterboy-compilation.html
Cheers.
Thank You Mr. Butter! I love your In The Charts compilations. I have 1963 & 1968. Might more on your drawing table? Bless yer heart!
DeleteHi Mike Johnstone.
DeleteYou will find more in the (right side) In The Charts Series archive like this one.
https://butterboycompilations.blogspot.com/2024/05/va-in-charts-1961-butterboy-compilation.html
Cheers.
Christmas has come early this year! In my humble opinion, these compilations are solid gold (to borrow a phrase). Our collective childhood's in neat digital bites. Transistor radios to the rescue.
DeleteOh mon dieu! Merci Hervé et, mais oui, BB!
ReplyDeleteHervé, ca c’est KOLOSSAL! It’ll sure take me a lot of time, but with your exhaustive, truly diverse and knowledgeable compilation I shall eventually have good access to this French national treasure. It will pay off. Thanks a lot & Best, TC
ReplyDelete@allmusicman, LoungeTracks, The Chairman: thanks a lot guys, I appreciate! And thanks again to our head hotelier: BB.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous Idea. This time is not a "copy", better? Legacy, as a french guy, allow me to be a bit chauvin, french artist with large influence around the world are so rare
ReplyDelete