Music:5
Format Reviewed:LP (180g)
LISTEN
Serge Gainsbourgh - where to start? Perhaps Wikipedia.
He's one of those artists that many people have heard of but may not necessarily be familiar with his work. It even seems that the man has become bigger than the music which is not entirely a surprise given his provocative inclinations If you are familiar with it, then you're no stranger to this album.
Something happened in the 60s (understatement much?) but I make particular reference to the mind of Serge. His music and being is very french - provocative, progressive and highly artistic without being overly self-conscious. I like to think that the best of Gallic culture was the driving force that shaped his musical progression rather than a plethora of drugs, but to be honest, it's probably a combination of both.
His works spans Jazz, Mambo, Longue, Reggae, Pop, (Kitsch, Ye Ye, Adult Contempory, Prog, Pop Art, Psyche), Disco, Rock, Calypso and other genres and sub-genres that I don't care to list - needless to say, it is extensive.
His music has featured such topics as, girls with lollipops (but was really about oral sex), the female orgasm, Nazis, reinterpreation of the French National Athem (raggae version of course) and a love affair with a 15 year old girl that develops when the owner of a Rolls-Royce collides with her bicycle, just to name a few. He basically said what was on his mind and that just happened to be mostly concerned with sex.
This album is of the lolitaesque, sex tinged pyschedelic pop/rock nature and is widely considered as his finest effort (all 28 minutes of it) - something that I agree with.
As with any artist with a long list of work it is often difficult to know where to start. I was first introduced to his work through Massive Attack's Karmacoma (Portishead Remix) with it's funky off-kilter bassline (provided by Herbie Flowers, who would next be heard in Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side) that is so prominent in the first and last tracks of Melody de Nelson.
The fusion of elements is masterly; Herbie's tripped out bassline, Serge's brooding spoken word, Jane Birkin providing the sulty vocals of the french chanteuse (also album cover model) and the orchestral and choir direction of Jean Claude Vannier.
All these elements provide the basis of what is truly a classic album. Nevermind that most of the time I don't know what the hell he's talking about (inspite of 4 years of learning French) or the fact he's probably mouthing sexual obscenities about a 15 year old lover (I get the feeling you can say anything in french and it doesn't sound rude or shocking). It captures a perfect artistic moment, one that I believe Serge never recaptured or any other who has attempted to mimic this masterpiece.
Since this album I've explored his other works, but apart from this album I only own other of his albums (an early jazz record). So more or less, my journey with Serge started with Histoire de Melody Nelson and ended with it, but it's still an amazing journey from start to finish.
Originally released in 1971 and not re-released until 1994, it is now available for future generations to enjoy with a number of quality reissues on CD and vinyl from 2007-2009.
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