Michel Colombier - Capot Pointu

 

Year : 1969

Label : La Compagnie

Genre : Jazz, Pop

Style : Symphonic Rock, Chanson 

 

Best known as a genious arranger & composer, Michel Colombier has collaborated with several internationally renowned artists including french choreographer Maurice Béjart (Messe Pour Le Temps Present), Serge Gainsbourg, the Beach Boys (Sunflower), Supertramp (Even In The Quietest Moments), Prince (Purple Rain) or Air (Walkie Talkie). He was also in charge of numerous soundtracks from iconic films (Le Pacha, Purple Rain, Sorcerer), background music for television and radio. He released only three solo albums including his masterpiece the great symphonic pop musical "Wings" in 1971. According to the own words of its author, "Capot Pointu" was recorded for fun including symphonic pop with strings arrangements, some experimental music and catchy melodies served by nice funny chorus. Titles include two songs written by Serge Gainsbourg ("Turlututu Capot Pointu", "La Robe de Papier") or songs based on various call signs composed for french radio shows ("Lobellia", "The Big Team"). It features Eddy Louiss (org), Raymond Gimenès (eb), Francis Darizcuren (eg), André Arpino (ds).

Serge Gainsbourg - Le Cinéma De Serge Gainsbourg

Year : 2015
Label : DECCA
Series : Back To Black
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen, Soundtrack
Style : Chanson, Psychedelic, Pop, Rock, Soul Jazz

Compilation of various works composed by Serge Gainsbourg for french directors (among others Bertrand Blier, Georges Lautner & Michel Audiar), including 14 cinematographic pieces recorded in the sixties, exactly from 1959 to 1969. Since "L'Eau A La Bouche" (1959), his first soundtrack arranged by Alain Goraguer, Serge Gainsbourg was able to surround himself  by others talented arrangers/composers, most of the time, the French Michel Colombier & Jean-Claude Vannier on several films : Si J'étais Un Espion (1967), Anna (1966), Manon 70 (1968) & Le Pacha (1968) with Michel Colombier ; Les Chemins De Katmandou (1969), Slogan (1969) & Une Veuve En Or (1969) with Jean-Claude Vannier (also in charge of the cult Serge Gainsbourg's album "Histoire De Mélodie Nelson"). The tracklist includes various songs sung by Serge Gainsbourg (Requiem Pour Un Con, L’Escroc), Anna Karina (Sous Le Soleil Exactement), Serge Gainsbourg featuring Jane Birkin (La Chanson De Slogan) and various unreleased tracks extracted from films "Si J'étais Un Espion" (Breakdown), "Les Chemins De Katmandou" (Générique & Transe Party Des Haschichiens), "Manon 70" (New Delire Again), "Le Pacha" (Un Noël 67) & "Slogan" (Paris-Bombay).

Serge Gainsbourg - Jane Birkin ~ Serge Gainsbourg

 

Year : 1969

Label : Fontana
Genre : Rock
Style : Pop

A high-point album in the Serge Gainsbourg's discography featuring his wife Jane Birkin including songs sung by Jane, Serge or both. "Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg" is an iconic baroque pop album recorded at the prestigious Chappell & Fontana studios in London at the end of 1968, and also his most famous work outside France. Titles includes his first massive hit, the sexual anthem "Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus", "Jane B" (based on the prélude n°4 op.28 by Chopin), new versions of french pop classics "L' Anamour"(originally written for french songstress Françoise Hardy), "Sous Le Soleil Exactement" (sings by Anna Karina in 1967) and  "Les Sucettes" (written for France Gall in 1966). All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg, arranged by Arthur Greensdale & Michel Colombier.                                                             

Serge Gainsbourg - Vu De L'Extérieur

 

Year : 1973 

Label : Philips 

Genre : Rock

Style : Pop, Funk/Soul
 

Second concept album of Serge Gainsbourg including poetry, funny onomatopoeia based on scatology (Des Vents Des Pets Des Poums) & childishness themes (Panpan Cucul). "Vu De L'Extérieur" is the first collaboration of Serge Gainsbourg with the british arranger/keyboardist Alan Hawkshaw featuring only english session musicians among bassist Brian Odgers from Apollo 100, guitarist Alan Parker, drummer Dougie Wright. or percussionist/drummer Chris Karan. As the pioneer and rock avant garde "Melody Nelson", it was unfortunately a commercial failure, however singles "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" (based on Paul Verlaine's poetry "Chanson d'Automne") and "Vu De L'Extérieur" known a big success in France. All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg, recorded at Phonogram Studio, London, except the voices & mixing at Studio Des Dames, Paris.

Serge Gainsbourg - L'Homme A Tête De Chou

 

Year : 1976

Label : Philips
Genre : Rock
Style : Pop, Avant Garde

"L'Homme A Tête De Chou" is the fourth concept album of Serge Gainsbourg featuring british arranger/keyboardist, Alan Hawkshaw, bassist Brian Odgers, percussionist Jim Lawless from Appolo 100, guitarits Alan Parker, Judd Proctor, drummer Dougie Wright. As his previous albums ("Histoire De Mélodie Nelson", "Vu De L'exterieur" & "Rock Around The Bunker"), Serge Gainsbourg combines progressive rock with avant-garde and poetry including "Ma Lou Marilou" announcing his next reggae period, which was inspired by a passage from Ludwig Van Beethoven "Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57". All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg and arranged by Alan Hawkshaw, recorded at Mercury studios in London & Paris.

Serge Gainsbourg - Bande Originale De La Comédie Musicale "Anna"

 

Year : 1967

Label : Philips
Genre : Rock, Stage & Screen
Style : Pop, Soundtrack

Original soundtrack from the French musical comedy TV film "Anna" directed by Pierre Koralnik. Composed by iconic Serge Gainsbourg, the original score has gone unnoticed before been rehabilitated three decades later in England. Arranged by Michel Columbier, the soundtrack foreshadows the pop rock era of Serge Gainsbourg including various duets and instrumental songs featuring French actor Jean-Claude Brialy (C'Est La Cristallisation Comme Dit Stendhal, Un Poison Violent, C'Est Ça L'Amour) and Jean-Luc Godard's muse Anna Karina (Sous le Soleil Exactement, Roller Girl).

Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire De Melody Nelson

Year : 1971
Label : Philips
Genre : Rock
Style : Art Rock, Progressive rock

The "Story Of Melody Nelson" is the first of four concept album series by Serge Gainsbourg and, probably, the most representative work of the french Pop Avant-Garde from the second half of twentieth century. It includes Jazz Rock arrangements, symphonic expressions and spoken words inspired by the French literature. According to the Rolling Stone magazine, its the 4th greatest French rock album being part of the main influences for various contemporary artists such as Air, David Holmes, Jarvis Cocker, Portishead or likewise Beck. "Histoire De Melody Nelson" was recorded in collaboration of arranger Jean-Claude Vannier (keys), featuring Jane Birkin (vo), Jean-Luc Ponty (vl) from Mahavishnu Orchestra, Big Jim Sullivan (eg) and Brian Odgers (eb) from Apollo 100, supported by the Opéra Comique's choir and the orchestra "Les Jeunesses Musicales de Paris". Titles include "Melody", "Valse de Melody", "L'hôtel Particulier" & "Cargo Culte" composed by Serge Gainsbourg, the "Ballade De Melody Nelson", "Ah! Melody" & "En Melody" by Serge Gainsbourg & JC Vannier. All tracks arranged & conducted by JC Vannier, recorded at Marble Arch Studios, London and Studio Des Dames, Paris between 1970-1971.

Serge Gainsbourg - Initials B.B.

Year : 1968

Label : Philips

Genre : Rock
Style : Pop

"Initials B.B." introduces a new era in the Serge Gainsbourg's musical career, definitely leaving the Jazz for Pop music, who he has previously explored, composing for several French YéYé entertainers. This album brings together various songs recorded in London from 1965 to 1968, including studio recordings from Fontana ("Docteur Jekyll Et Monsieur Hyde", "Shu Ba Du Ba Loo Ba", "Qui Est In Qui Est Out" & "Marilu") and Chappell ("Bloody Jack", "Initials B.B.", "Black And White" & "Ford Mustang"). The famous Gainsbourg's anthem "Initials B.B." dedicated to iconic Brigitte Bardot (nickname of Brigitte Bardot) echoes to the arrangements of the Dvorak's "Symphony No. 9 From the New World". "Bonnie And Clyde" featuring Brigitte Bardot on vocals was sampled by French rapper MC Solaar on "Nouveau Western" in 1994. All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg, arranged by David Whitaker, Michel Colombier and

Arthur Greenslade.