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

A very important, and therefore a priceless document of Serge Gainsbourg's French nightclub performance in the year 1963.   Gainsbourg never had that awkward moment when he wasn't a genius.   Backed by a stand-up bass and an electric guitar, Gainsbourg covers his iconic 'jazz-like' songs, such as "Intoxicated Man," "Maxim's," and the ultimate ballad of all-time, "La Javanaise." In my opinion, there are better eras for Gainsbourg than others, and I think most of the listeners who live outside of France, probably prefer the Jane Birkin/Bardot recordings.  Which is understandable, because they are great songs, but I tend to fancy the jazz-era Serge.   I feel he was at the height of his songwriting skills, and he knew how to convey complex feelings into what seems to be like a love song.  In truth, he is expanding those emotions to express a world-view of the landscape that humorous, but also deadly serious at the same time. 

This was the tour before he released his album "Confidentiel," which this live album is a reflection of that official studio recording.  The sound is not that different due to the simple set-up of the guitar (Elek Bacsik), bass (Michel Gaudry), and voice.   Gainsbourg is not known as a great singer, but the truth is, he's unique, which makes him a superb vocalist, especially in the early years of his music career.   For me, this live album is like listening to The Beatles at the Cavern, or The Heartbreakers at CBGB's.  Not only is the band of great importance, but even more so, the theater or concert all.  Gainsbourg didn't tour much.  He did tour during the late 50s to early 1960s, and then again, in the 1980s.  One gathers that he preferred to be in the studio or composing than being in front of an audience.  Still, he never lost his iconic cool, and "Thêâtre des Capucines" captures an important moment in the Serge Gainsbourg world. 

Like the mysterious record label Doxy, Jeanne Dielman seems to be a European record label that specializes in re-issues of recordings that somehow fell between the cracks of copyright laws.  Therefore many of their releases are in limited editions.   I gather that the sound source came from digital or the medium of the CD.  Still, the packaging and sound are good.  

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. 

Serge Gainsbourg - "Théatre Des Capucines 1963" CD, France, 2003 (Mercury)

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.