Gérard Manset - "Le Train du Soir" Vinyl, LP, Album, France, 1981 (EMI)

I know almost nothing about Gérard Manset, except that he's French, songwriter, artist/photographer and made some remarkable music.   I discovered him during the heights of music being on the Internet, and one could download songs/albums on various collector's websites.  I made a note to myself that I should find myself a hard copy of Manset's "Le Train du Soir" as soon as possible. It took me five years, but I found a used vinyl copy in Paris, and I think it's a remarkable album. 

People find it hard to believe, but I don't know the French language except for specific words and a general over-all menu in a cafe.  Still, I have a life-long fascination with anything French, especially literature and cinema.  French pop music was a recent discovery, perhaps 20 years ago when I came upon Serge Gainsbourg. That opened up a whole avenue of artists for me to explore and purchase for the next decade or so.  Still, even in those terms, Gérard Manset is an unknown figure outside of the French-speaking world. 

I get the impression that he's very independent minded, and is skilled as an arranger and musician.  I know he has worked with massive orchestrations on previous and future albums from "Le Train du Soir."  What makes this record so good are the songs, and although they were recorded in 1981, it sounds very 70s to me.  It also reminds me of studio minded artists like Emit Rhoades or Nillson in that there's a great deal of songcraft that goes in his work.  This is without a doubt a rock album, but it is such an album that has music history attached to its presence. 

Not knowing the language thoroughly, I'm sure there is the context within the music that is beyond my knowledge, still, on a listening experience, it's an excellent way of spending 40 minutes or so. There are six songs, including the 12-minute length of "Marchand de Rêves (Dream Merchant)," which is a series of melodies that fit in the song itself.  My favorite cut on the album is "Les Loups (Wolves)" which is a perfect build-up of melody and passion.   I'm frustrated that there seems to be no information in English about this unique artist, but alas, give me time. 

Serge Gainsbourg - "Théâtre des Capucines 1963" Vinyl, LP, Album, 2018 (Jeanne Dielman)

Serge Gainsbourg at his most jazzy, as well as the height of his brilliance as a songwriter.  This is a live recording that he did at Théâtre des Capucines in Paris.  For a short time in his life, Gainsbourg did a tour, and eventually start up touring or performing again in the 1980s.  What makes this live recording so essential is that it captures Gainsbourg with just an electric guitarist Elek Bacisk, and contrabassist Michel Gaudry.  Smokey, profound and very straightforward in the manner of delivery of the songs.  All the tunes on this album came from Gainsbourg's "Confidentiel" which again is backed only by Bacisk and Gaudry.  

There is not a major 'oh wow' difference between the live recording and the studio work, but it does capture an era and time when Gainsbourg worked in what sounds like a nightclub.  There is no small-talk from Serge to the audience.  What is impressive is that Gainsbourg rarely looked back. Like David Bowie, he consistently re-invented himself and his music.  Lyrically it is always Serge, but he wasn't afraid to explore new sounds, and like capturing a young Bob Dylan in a live recording, it is more of a testament of his worth at the time.   Essential for the hardcore Serge collector, and a great listening experience for the casual fan as well.  Jeanne Dielman is a label that I suspect specializes in releasing records that are in public domain but only for only a short period of time.  Like Doxy, they are a label of excellent curating.  But, I suspect that they are not here to exist forever. 

Lewis Furey - "The Sky is Falling" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1979 (RCA)

Lewis Furey is one artist that is hard to follow due to the obscurity of his recordings and most of his work is in France.  This French Canadian somehow missed his mark in the United States, even though he was signed to A&M Records during the mid-1970s.  The fact is I purchased most of his albums as cut-outs at the time, and when I went to Japan in 1989, I re-purchased them as CDs, due that some Japanese music company purchased the rights to distribute and re-release the entire A&M catalog for the market there.  One of the reasons why I'm devoted to Japan is due that they released Lewis Furey albums in that country. 

"The Sky is Falling" is the third album by Furey, and it is similar to the first solo album in that John Lissauer produced and did some of the arrangements for both records.  Furey is a combination of many talents that reminds one such as Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen for example,  yet not like them at all.  Their resemblance is based on their observation lyrical skills, with some musical overtures.  The one connection between Cohen and Furey is Lissauer, who also produced/arranged the Cohen recordings of the late 1960s and early 70s.  Furey is very much had his feet in the musical theater, as well as writing French Chanson songs in English, that tells a narrative that is usually sexual and there is a strong off-Broadway aspect to his work.  "The Sky is Falling" was only released in Japan and France, and it's a fascinating collection of songs.  Some were meant for a theater piece, but the other songs match perfectly with respect to mood and location.  "Thieves" is a show-topper of a chorus, and the beautiful song that ends side two "Ordinary Guy" is a French composition that's translated and adopted by Furey.  He's an artist that should be better known, and especially for those who are fans of Leonard Cohen.  I feel that they are missing a creative link here. 

Les Rita Mitsouko - "Variéty" Vinyl, LP, Album, 2016 (Because Music)

Les Rita Mitsouko is Catherine Ringer and the late (and great) Fred Chichin.  A remarkable French band from the 1980s to the 21st century.   "Variéty" their last album, due to Chichin's death, is an album of many pleasures.  Ringer is one of the great figures in rock/pop music period.   Her expressive attitude and voice and sense of wonder are way beyond other singers of her generation.  Why she is not an icon here in the United States or in the U.K. can only be that most of the songs are in French.   It is the English speaking world's loss if one cannot dwell on Ringer's (and Chichin's) world. 

"Variéty" after repeated listenings is a treasure to behold.  Joyful, witty, strong melodic moments, and superb performances.  Mark Plati is the (not so) secret presence on the album.   He worked with David Bowie for numerous years, and he brings a Bowie touch to the project that reminds me a bit of that singer's "Hours" album.  Very straightforward approach to the song, but hidden textures that unfold on repeated hearings.   In a healthy world, these songs would be played on the radio on a consistent basis.  Alas, that's not the world that we live in.  

Michel Polnareff - "Michel Poinareff" Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 2008/1966 (Universal)

The Lou Christie of French rock is Michel Poinareff.  Well, mostly due to his vocal style, which can go as high as the stars, if he chooses that route.  Ponareff's first album is classic French pop.  Still, I suspect that he wanted to go beyond his country's borders.  Side one I presume was recorded in England, due that he worked with lyricist Keith Reid, who either at the same time or a tad later, became the words-man for Procol Harum.  He also used Charles Blackwell as an arranger, who worked with Burt Bacharach on the soundtrack "What's New Pussycat" as well as working with my favorite eccentric producer Joe Meek.  So, with those two, our M. Poinareff was in excellent hands. 

This is a very strong debut of a songwriting talent, who is still with us, and for me, a mysterious figure.   In fact, I suspect he's a mystery to a lot of people.  Like the tide in an ocean, he comes and goes as he pleases.  Still, from 1966 to the end of the 1970s, he was an iconic presence in France.  Visually stunning, but with an incredible knack for writing memorable melodies.   There's not a bad cut on this album, and I would recommend it as an introduction into the world of Poinareff.  The garage rock sound of "La Poupée Qui Fait Non," "Time Will Tell"  (lyrics by Reid) and his fifties orientated (and could be a Morrissey favorite) "Love Me, Please Love Me" are essential cuts. 

Serge Gainsbourg - "Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin" CD, Compilation, Remastered, 1996 (Mercury)

In the year 1996, Philips/Mercury organized a series of releases focusing on a specific time and music style of Serge Gainsbourg.   For me, it was my first real introduction to Gainsbourg's music and his world.   So, for the last 21 years, I have been obsessing about this man's music, which led me to publish a full biography of Serge as well as releasing a fictional work by him as well, with my press TamTam Books.   

"du jazz dans le ravin" is a collection of Gainsbourg's early recordings, that are mostly jazz-based, but still in a pop song format.  Lyrically, he was on the button of greatness.  Like most English speaking people I sort of knew Gainsbourg through his recordings with Brigitte Bardot and of course, Jane Birkin.  Beyond that, I knew very little till I bought this CD compilation.   Compared to his pop and Latin-based pop music, I love his jazz period.  At this time, he was singing in a croon, that conveyed wickedness and someone who can give great advice.   The music is very seductive,  but not always in the physical, sexual sense.  He was a writer that could convey a world and make it into a "Gainsbourgian" landscape, and us listeners are just passing through the neighborhood.  

His partner-in-crime was the great arranger/songwriter/jazz player Alain Goraguer.  Gainsbourg throughout his career depended on these sort of musical characters, and Goraguer was the jazz guy for him.   It's either Goraguer's jazz arrangements or the great recordings with electric guitarist Elek Bacsik and double bass player Michel Gaudry.  A Minimal arrangement with Gainsbourg's voice floating over these two instruments.  Yet, the songs are incredible. "Chez Les Yé-Yé" and others are Serge's most excellent commentary on the Paris world at that time (the late 1950s/early 1960s).  

Often I'm overwhelmed when someone asks me what's the entrance to Serge Gainsbourg's music.  For me, I'm one of those who gets one,  I must have everything.   To properly understand his work, you have to dive in with head and body - and head first!

Various - "Les Zazous: 1940 - 1945" 2 x vinyl, LP, Compilation, 1977 (Pathé Marconi)

Truly a dangerous underground movement of swing kids during the French Occupation from 1940 to 1944.  The Vichy Administration didn't look upon these French kids with a great deal of love. Musically it's all swing jazz, but the nerve behind their swing dancing and partying in the horrible world of the Occupation is one of wonder and the beauty of youth itself. 

Les Zazous were hardcore dance and fashion lunatics who pretty much ignored the Occupation like it didn't exist, but of course, it did dangerously.  When Jews were forced to wear the Yellow Star, so did Les Zazous, but they did it voluntarily, and within the yellow star it said "Swing."  The men dressed in long draped jackets, zootsuit pants, but the cuff rolled up, and hair was worn very long but combed back in Rockabilly (before that) style. Often they dine at Vegetarian restaurants.  Also, they like to carry around umbrellas that are rolled up and never been used.   They were fond of carrying newspapers or books in the English language.  Not to read but as a fashion statement.   This you can imagine was an easy target for the Vichy cops as well as the Fascist thugs.   Often when caught they were either killed or forced to get a haircut, which must have been horrible for a dandy like-minded Zazous. 

They would have secret record parties where they danced to American (banned of course) and French jazz music.  These are club kids with an edge.  "Les Zazous" is an album of music made at the time of the occupation, and what I presume was favored by the Les Zazous.   The famous names for Americans are Charles Trenet and Django Reinhardt.  The rest are known in  France, such as Michel Legrand's dad Raymond, who had a famous orchestra at the time, Gus Viseur (gypsy accordionist), Jacques Pills (ain't that a punk rock name), and others.   Some of the songs do have the word "zazous"  The word more likely came from American genius musician Cab Calloway, from his song "Zah Zuh Zah."

This double album came out in 1977, and to this day, there are not a lot of photographs of Les Zazous.  The images that are in the record are all drawings from that period.   A snapshot of a time that was horrible, yet the music is upbeat, happy, and looking forward to better days.  The spirit of music cannot be crushed that easily. 

Les Rita Mitsouko - "The No Comprendo" CD, Album, France, 1987 (Virgin)

In 1987, I was visiting my friend Erik Blum in his studio in Los Angeles, and he played this album by Les Rita Mitsouko, and I was immediately transformed into a  hardcore fan.  At the time, or that first listening experience, I thought to myself T Rex meets Sparks, but singing in French.   It's a very confining album made by a couple, who were totally self-contained.  And with help and assistance from Tony Visconti.   Somehow a friend of mine made me a VHS tape of their videos off this album, and that was another little explosion that went off in my body. I must have been the only person in the United States that had a copy of all their videos at the time.  I have never seen such a visually appealing and seductive band like Les Rita Mitsouko.  In two words: Catherine Ringer.

Ringer is what one would call "the real deal."  She's the gift that keeps on giving.  I want to say she resembles or perhaps even influenced by Edith Piaf, but that's wrong.  I think she is even better than Piaf!  This woman can walk across a room and cause an emotional riot within me.  For me, she represents everything that is good regarding a musician and the perfect set of songs.  "No Comprendo" is perfection as practiced by a skilled duo (with her husband the late and great Frank Chichin) with the right attitude, and performance (of what I have seen on numerous live videos) that is perfectly made out of our elements.  She's too good to walk among us, humans!

"No Comprendo" is a combination of chanson and synth-pop, with rock overtures.  Catherine and Frank played most of the instruments, with the help of Visconti, and Ringer's vocals are exceptionally heartbreaking, fun, and of course, erotic.  Ringer, who worked with Sparks and told Serge Gainsbourg to fuck off is clearly a hero of mine.   Why Ringer is not the biggest star in the English speaking world is beyond my brain.   In three words:  I love her. 

Barbara - "Madame" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1970 (Philips)

The first seven songs on "Madame" is a seven-song tableaux or suite with lyrics by Remo Forlani, and music by our star, Barbara.   Forlani was a writer, screenwriter, and an actor who worked with Jean-Luc Godard (Made in the U.S.A.") and worked with Chris Marker and Alain Resnais.   Barbara is an iconic French singer/songwriter whose music and singing is very dramatic, and I think unique.   There is only "one" Barbara."  

"Madame" is orchestrated and arranged by Jean-Claude Vannier, who is a visionary musician/composer who worked with Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Fontaine among many others.  His work is on the border of the avant-garde and French pop song.  In a fashion, he's the bridge between Musique Concréte and the Yé-Yé.   So, the album has three unique voices, and it's a remarkable cocktail in an album form.    Barbara is the real deal and is considered to be the new version of a chanson singer.  Perhaps due to her songwriting, as well as being an early AIDS activist in France.   For the English speaking world, another avenue to explore through this French iconic singer/writer.