This is an album or CD one doesn't see around that much. It's perfect. I have the CD, but I really want the 10" vinyl that came out in 2003. I don't think the album was ever released in 1963, the time of its recording. Why? Nevertheless, it's a brilliant live set from one of the great songwriters of the 20th century. For me, the jazz/latin Gainsbourg period is the best. I know he's mostly acknowledged for "Melody Nelson" and his work with Jane Birkin, which of course, is fantastic. But the music that he made and recorded from the year 1959 to the early 1960s is incredible. Gainsbourg was on a streak that was like a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. Just non-stop pleasure.
"La Javanaise," "Intoxicated Man" "Negative Blues" and others - all magnificent. The backing band was just Elek Bacsik on electric guitar and Michel Gaudry on double bass. Minimal precise, and no wasted space. Whatever you do, do not ignore the early Gainsbourg magic or his genius at the time.
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