A few good times in my life
Another week, another journey into musical history.
Enjoy.
1965: Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
1972: Alice Cooper
1980: Joy Division
1983: Bananarama
It's November and, like every year, I'm thinking about a year-end list and, as always, there's another album that shouldn't be missing from such a list. David Holmes, an Irish DJ and producer who has managed to gain respect in the DJ camp as well as in the alternative scene over the past few years, recently released Blind on a Gallopping Horse. Together with Raven Violent, who already left her unmistakable mark with her voice on his side product Unloved, an album of positive songs in a negative time was created. Blind On A Galloping Horse is a multi-faceted record with a lot to discover and an absolutely positive example of how the gloom of the world can be addressed without letting despair win out. On Necessary Genius he pays tribute to 'dreamer, misfits, radicals, outcasts' who are no longer with us and includes shout-outs to Weatherall, Terry Hall, Sinéad O'Conner, Serge Gainbourgh & Jane Birkin and more. Still underlaid with a dancable beats.
After another stressful week at work I enjoy staying at home reading some good books and listening to music. I think the older I get the less the duties of my job. Especially when my company is going to turn everything upside down at an incredible pace. This song was released yesterday and was the perfect soundtrack to slow down. A ten minute track built on a simple rhythm and added with warm synths, a bit of guitar and whispered voices makes this song worth to be played. Rheinzand is an electronic collaboration from Ghent, Belgium, and featured at this place the last time when they released their superb self titled album back in 2020. The title of the song means Let's Make Love and has nothing in common with the song Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg made decades ago.
Two days ago Serge Gainsbourg died and I think it is time to remember one of the greatest singer/songwriter from France ever. Not only because of his duets with Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin or his songs for France Gall he was a leading figure of the Yé-Yé movement which could be described as the French pendent to beat music. I have to admit that I always had a fondness for chansonniers because they had mostly something to say. 50 years ago Gainsbourg released his masterpiece with a concept album telling the story of 15-year-old Melody, played and sung by Jane Birkin, who is approached by a man, Serge Gainsbourg, at Rolls-Royce. He falls in love with the young girl, spends his most beautiful time with her and finally loses her in a plane crash. He was always radical in any way he made songs and telling stories and never mind what people thinking about his art. A hero of my very younger days and still one you can listen to in present times.
Serge Gainsbourg - Melody
