Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin

Recorded between 1958 and 1969.Serge Gainsbourg was one of the true characters of the 20th century, a prolific poet, cabaret singer, and songwriter. Gainsbourg was also a first class lecher, drinker and source of controversy wherever he went, with a habit of making records in a dizzying variety of styles.When Gainsbourg began his prolific recording career in the late 1950's, he was lumped in with the wave of cynical chanson singers who dominated France during the reconstruction following World War Two. However, his love of African-American musical styles, in particular jazz, set him apart from his more conservative colleagues. DU JAZZ DANS LE RAVIN is a compilation of Gainsbourg's experiments in jazz. (At the same time he was also experimenting with traditional song styles, pop, calypso, and mambo.) His version of jazz, while heavenly influenced by heroes such as Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday, is at times similar to a French version of beatnik tone poems, especially in the title track and "Le Talkie-Walkie." Although he has a limited vocal range, Gainsbourg also manages a wounded Chet Baker imitation on tearjearkers such as "Black Trombone." DU JAZZ DANS LE RAVIN is an excellent Gainsbourg primer.