Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Serge GainsbourgEdition: Music CD
Audio: French (Unknown)
Format: Import, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2001-02-22
Music Label: Mercury Import
Soundtracks:
- Melody [Extrait de Melody Nelson]
- Ballade de Melody Nelson
- Valse de Melody
- Ah! Melody
- L' Hôtel Particulier [Extrait de BOF Melody Nelson]
- En Melody
- Cargo Culte
Free Music Notes for Histoire de Melody Nelson
Free Music Review: Guaranteed to Make you at Least 25% Sleazier....
Hit: 5 Stars
Serge Gainsbourg, will (in most peoples eyes), be the dirty little Frenchman, that seduced English rose "Jane Birkin", and mostly recorded his sleazy endeavour on the "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus" track. But dig past those initial reservations, and you'll find that he was a composer of some seriously good Cabaret / French Pop / White-funk / Jazz-Pop / Baroque-pop, and although his music reminded something of a cult concern, his music generally deserved a much wider audience. And with this album (considered to be his strongest album), he somehow nailed a consistency throughout the record, that his other records, weren't quite able to match. (admittedly it only contains 7 tracks), but contained here, are some of Serge's strongest compositions. For further evidence of this, investigate the staggeringly beautiful 7 minutes that make up "Melody", a track that brings together sharp string sections, coupled with tightly rhythmic guitar, and a decidedly carefree (almost organically French) sound, that is more the music to a wonderfully moody Cinematic film, than anything to do with flimsy euro-pop, and such is the brilliance of this track, that "David Holmes" would go on to cover this track, for his "Lets Get Killed" album (The track is renamed "Don't die Just yet"), which is a virtual replica of Serge's version (save for small snatches of drum beats added to the mix, and a slightly more prominent string arrangement). And almost as if to prove that this was no one off idea, he brings out the seriously funk-driven groove of "En Melody", a track that seemingly has Serge comprising a track that is unquestionably acomplished stab at white-funk, and it's a staggeringly brilliant effort, that if it wasn't for the cheeky passionate organism sounds peppered through the latter half of the album, most people would have been perfectly within reason to think that this was the work of some obscure, incredibly talented black, funk band. And the remaining tracks "Ballade de Melody Nelson", "Valse de Melody", "Ah! Melody", "L' Hotel Paticulier" & "Cargo Culte" all flit between a sublime blend of kitsch and gimmick-esque tunes, yet remain outrageously brilliant, intoxicating amalgams of jazz and pop styles, that not only tackle bohemian jazz to rock and even synth funk with a style and eccentric wit, that become a calling card of Serge's music, and possibly one of the biggest reasons for his appeal.
This album is arguably the most consistent and cohesive of Serge's albums, and although running at a fairly brief 27 minutes, it's a fascinating record, one that is by turns funky, humorous, Hedonistic and Sensual, and has a such a tongue in cheek, carefree swagger about it, that you can't fail by be impressed by the sheer audacity of it all. Those that had (like me) only really know Serge's work via his hit single "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus", would do well to give this a whirl. It really highlights how overlooked his work really was, and that most people initially had him pegged as a dirty old Frenchman, who got lucky with a saucy single. It's shamelessly overblown, impossibly cheeky, beautifully arranged, and impeccably performed...and most importantly it's a lot of fun to listen to. Those buyers looking for the hits (or the nearest his songs became to be popular), would be well advised seeking out one of the many compilations bearing his name, but those that are interested in hearing what the pinnacle of his work sounded like, simply must check out this funky little gem. Recommended!!!
Histoire de Melody Nelson Poster
1998 reissue on Mercury of his 1971 album for the label thathas a strong Velvet Underground feel to it throughout. A 20bit digital remaster, it features the original cover art &all seven of the original tracks. Digipak. 1998 Mercuryrelease.International Music CDs
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