Best Of (Frn) [Best of]

 

 

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A compilation of some of the most popular tracks sang by Jane Birkin, composed by Serge Gainsbourg, this album shows how Jane Birkin is a great singer and why her reputation is so respected in countries like France, Canada and Japan. Though I was more or less fond of the 12th song, 'Quoi', which I liked but was not over impressed for I felt it was maybe too corny for me, I really adored this album, especially Serge' magnificent "Ballade de Johnny-Jane", "Baby Alone in Babylone", "Et Quand Bien Même", "Ford Mustang", and "Baby Lou". As a treat, we have a leaflet filled with photos of Jane, including one with Serge, along with one of his drawings of Jane as an album cover.

As such, I think this album is an excellent way to be introduced to Jane Birkin's music, and to then decide if you want to dive further into this signer's excellent career.

Birkin has a limited voice. Gainsbourgh was a troubled man. When they worked together it produced unqualified magic. He was brilliant and she was patient. Thier work is touching and ethereal. Don't expect fireworks...just sit back and appreciate his poetry and her earnest effort to express it.

I could have sworn I had this one, so I went to look for it because I wanted to hear somehing on it (since I thought I had it) again before passing judgement on it. Didn't find it. Amazon's records say I have four ( count 'em: 4) of hers, and this isn't one of them--and I can find all four and Amazon is right! And I have on my four, among other things: Je t'aime, ni moi non plus; Fuir Le Bonheur de Peur Que; Ballade de Johnny Jane; and Ex-Fan des Sixties, all of which are on this one, and I'm not getting this one too. These just mentioned, however, and many others, I personally think she can sing well enough so that, as what they are in the first place, they're fine. However, on what I do have (which has Love for Sale, for example), she can be terrible in English--as to all of: the choice of song, how she presents herself and her delivery and entire style of singing, right down to and including the arrangement. Also, another one, she absolutely cannot sing which is NOT on the above track listings, and which I have on more than one, is La DecadanSe (don't you understand the song? either? ). Also, there is a limit to how much I can take (eternally? no, thank God) of HIS songs, for which reason A La Legere is very refreshing (and has several I like, notably: Les Avalanches, Les Cles Du Paradis, Si Tout Etait Faux, and Trouble, none of which were written by him, all of which are done well enough by her and everyone involved. Also, lets face it, unless you are glamourizing people with problems to such an extent that you are glamourizing their problems (or are doing that anyway for other reasons) you know or should know that: 1. drinking yourself into the grave at any age is to be avoided 2. ditto smoking 3. ditto drugs). The fact that someone with such problems (especially the first and the third, although the second will kill ya' too) accomplishes something, whether creatively or otherwise, doesn't make those problems acceptable. Same goes for "womanizing"--it's neither glamourous nor acceptable. (Sorry.) This kind of stuff, therefore, has limited appeal--but it's definitely not no appeal. That said, for something new and different, and just possibly better, and at least "now", of Jane Birkin, I'd try A la Legere.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Oh, come on!
I will never be able to figure out how it is that someone with the musical instinct of Serge Gainsbourg would ever get into his head that this woman should be encouraged to... Read more

Published on Sep 17 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars a muse amused
from "je t'aime moi non plus" too "lolita go home", Gainsgour is the only one. Birkin is the only one to sing Gainsbourg's song. Read more

Published on Aug 20 2000 by auti22

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