- Vinyl (24 Feb 2003)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Label: Island
- ASIN: B00006RT59
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,090,722 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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.
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Initials SG is a rather wonderful collection of Serge Gainsbourg's works- the bulk of it coming from the import collection 'Comic Strip' (from 1996), which focused on material from 1966 to 1969. Here are many of SG's classics: the Bardot duet Bonnie&Clyde, Initials BB, Qui Est "In" Qui Est "Out", the percussive Requiem Pour Un C..., Sous Le Soleil Exactement, L'anamour, 69 Annee Erotique with Jane Birkin- not to forget their controversial UK#1, Je t'aime...moi non plus. The song that stands out here is Ford Mustang- which takes an almost sexual look at mass culture (aspirin, Marilyn, Edgar Allen Poe, Ford Mustang)- reminding me of a chapter in Barthes' Mythologies (Citroen) & JG Ballard's Crash! chapter in The Atrocity Exhibition. Pity personal faves Chatterton and Torrey Canyon were left off, but you can't have everything...
The rest of the compilation comes from various albums still waiting to be reissued properly in the UK- we get 'The Ballad of Melody Nelson' from Histoire De Melody Nelson (just one track from the album many fans consider to be his classic longplayer?). We get the brilliant Intoxicated Man from Du Jazz Dans Le Ravine- which gave the title to the first English translation collection from Bad Seed Mick Harvey (the second was entitled Pink Elephants; both are great & it was the former that lead me to Serge's material- my French is quite poor, you see...). We also get the title track from the Couleur Cafe release- alongside several other tracks that feature Jane Birkin & Catherine Deneuve. Pity Lemon Incest wasn't included- as it kind of fits with my sense of humour (ditto Barrel of My 45).
Initials SG is a great introduction to a great talent, who is sadly remembered for what he said to Whitney Houston on TV than his great records. & I kind of loathe the fact he's dumped in with the lounge/nostalgia category- I don't think this is kitsch, I'd happily play it next to Scott Walker, Jacques Brel, Tom Waits, Kevin Rowland...I'd just like to see all SG's albums given a nice UK cd issue, so I can hear the big picture of a brilliant career. Still, with this release I'm going to have to give in & read 'A Fistful of Gitanes'...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Serge sings these words and we hear a woman crying in the background.A song that it is so easy for so many people to identify with.On other tracks there are people such as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve who can hardly sing but who have been given lines to sing that enhance instead of detracting from the music.Initials SG is an intelligent and great sounding
album with all manner and mood of song included.Serge used to come to London and hardly anyone would recognise him - something which Jane Birkin said "drove him to distraction."There aren't many things that can distract me from listening to this cd - it's simply wonderful.
album with all manner and mood of song included.Serge used to come to London and hardly anyone would recognise him - something which Jane Birkin said "drove him to distraction."There aren't many things that can distract me from listening to this cd - it's simply wonderful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
good stuff!
It was my first encounter with S.G., and I can only say that I am extremely delighted I could finally listen to his songs. Highly recommendable set of S.G. songs!
Published 6 months ago by Luke
Serge Gainsbourg 'Initials SG' CD
Serge Gainsbourg was an unusual multi-talented man with an eclectic mix of musical talents.
This CD was my introduction to his unusual handling of vocals, his rich deep and... Read more
This CD was my introduction to his unusual handling of vocals, his rich deep and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Yvonne Mcgeehan
Génial
Of the British people who are even aware of Serge Gainsbourg's existence, the majority of them would simply see him as a dirty old Frenchman who got his young girlfriend to groan... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Perry Hewitt
Charismatic Coffee Coloured Lenses
Worried about dipping your toe into the world according to Serge? Look no further because this provides the hors d'ouevres to the rasping cream coffee sounds of gitanes set to... Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
A Fistful of Gitanes and lots more
There was so much more to Serge Gainsbourg than the heavy-breathing lech that 'J't'aime' might suggest. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2008 by Og Oggilby
Intoxicating Man (9/10)
Serge Gainsbourg is criminally underrated outside France. Listening to this comprehensive best of compilation it is evident that there was more to him than the sleazy Gallic rogue... Read more
Published on 22 April 2008 by Demob Happy
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