Serge Gainsbourg - Initial Sg Shm (23 tracks) +Album Reviews

Epitome of Cool.

R Jess | Limerick, Ireland. | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is undoubtedly the best introduction to Serge Gainsbourg there is out there. The variety of sounds and styles on this album is a testiment to the man's artistic integrity. No other comparable artist can straddle the genres of world music and pop music with such veritable ease.You've got the nightclub, Vegas sound of 'Intoxicated Man', the subtle sensuality of 'La Javanaise'. The funk groove of 'Chez Les Ye-Ye' (released in 1963 no less!). The Brazilian flavour of 'Couleur Cafe', the pseudo-psychedelic 'Qui Est In, Que Est Out'. The wonderful backing arrangements of 'Ballade De Melody Nelson' and even some folk guitar on 'Je suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'En Vais'.You don't have to speak French to enjoy the wonderful songs on this album. Serge's laid-back vocal style (closer to talking than to singing) makes this album the epitome of cool. It says something about the Anglo-American world's lack of appreciation for non-English speaking performers, that an artist as talented as this should go, for the most part, unrecognized in the English-speaking world. Hopefully, discovery of this album will lead others to a greater interest in Serge's work and from there a greater interest in non-English speaking artists in general."

Serge Gainsbourg 101

music lover | 07/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy this album if you are interested in the music of Serge Gainsbourg but don't know where to start. The CD contains a wide range of songs from different aspects of his distinguish musical career. As a musician, Gainsbourg 'hopped' through different styles of music: from 'mambo', 'cabaret', 'french pop', 'rockabilly' and even to 'raggae'. It's hard to discribe in one word what this CD's like, but it's a great starting point to get accustomed to Gainsbourg's work. It contains songs that are fun, exotic, and dark.

You will not be disappointed with this CD."

Outstanding Intro to the Genius of Serge

Mr. Music | Sydney, Australia | 01/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a perfect introduction for those who are wanting to get into Serge. I myself am a new fan but owning this has just made me want to track down all his reissued import albums. Prior to this CD, I only owned his No. 4 album, which showcases Serge in his smooth, jazzy lounge phase. That album is incredible but this hits a lot of the high points of his career and shows just how brilliant he became in the early to mid 70's especially. It is the recordings from that period that stand out for me on this collection, most notably "Ballade De Melody Nelson", "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" and the astonishingly good "L'Homme A Tete De Chou" which could be Serge's finest moment. All in all, this is a great collection and a perfect overview of his fascinating career."

Nice *INTRO* To Serge Gainsbourg...

Alex Honda | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm new to the music of Serge Gainsbourg. The only thing I knew about him was from the song "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus," which was the inspiration and precursor to Donna Summer's "Love To Love You (Baby)" (her intro to the American audience available on Love to Love You Baby).

"Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" is a beautifully lush, sexual song that Gainsbourg duets with Jane Birken, who coos lovingly on her part. The song, literally translated as "I Love You...Me Neither," has such a haunting quality to it that I just had to explore Gainsbourg further, which brought me to INITIALS S.G. BTW, Summer covered "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" with Giorgio Moroder on the The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Of Thank God It's Friday.

Even though I don't understand French, I can only pick out a word or phrase here and there, I enjoy the tracks on this CD.

If Edith Piaf was the voice of France, then Serge Gainsbourg is the voice of French-Chic. The lounge, jazz, hip, ultra-cool, laid back sound that mixes nonchalance with bedroom lore and virility, that's what Gainsbourg sounds like to me. There's something very appealing about his voice: it just oozes sexuality. Never mind the lyrics!

This CD gives a good range of work starting from 1958 to 1980. I like the earlier stuff like "Intoxicated Man," which sounds like a hip, jazz song played at those beatnik clubs in Paris during the 60s.

"Chez Les Ye-Ye" sounds like a rock song by Chuck Berry and "Couleur Cafe" reminds me of a commercial jingle or something that Pizzicato Five would do. "Qui Est In Qui Est Out" is very go-go like with that prominent guitar twang that was so popular in the 60s go-go music. Of course the aforementioned "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" is part of this collection as well. Another cool song is "Ford Mustang," the coolness coming from the oddity of it. It has a good beat and Serge sounds like he's reading a poem or just saying phrases and a girl in the background says in English "Ford Mustang...Bang!" among other things. It's very Grace Jones like with disparate elements coming together into a cohesive song, LOL.

I'm not surprised there's a re-ignition of interest in Gainsbourg's music. It's really cool and that voice...no wonder he got so many beautiful women! Anyway, if you like to listen to 60s type music with a good beat--a little off the beaten path at times--and with 100% sex appeal, get INITIALS S.G. You can't go wrong."

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