Jane Birkin - Arabesque

British-born Birkin, with her deep bangs and waif-like, androgynous persona, was an iconic 1960s sex kitten. Her exploits ranged from the three-way scene in in Antonioni¹s film Blow Up to performing one-half of her late ex-husband Serge Gainsbourg's notorious (in retrospect, also quite witty!) erotic duet, "Je T'Aime, Moi Non Plus." These days, although her trademark breathy vocal style remains as subtly elusive as ever, she has finally moved on to a mature and womanly sensibility. This live album features an all-Gainsbourg program, but his romantic, world-weary satires are now wreathed in sultry Middle Eastern instrumentation, which suits them remarkably well. The songwriter died relatively young, worn out by cigarettes and hard living. Birkin's interpretations, while based on inside knowledge of the man and his music, are filtered through a shifting kaleidoscope of private images. Her sensuous, sophisticated renditions are part of Gainsbourg's legacy but more importantly, they make scrumptious listening. --Christina Roden Amazon.com

'Arabesque' DVD

Excellent CD. If you are interested, notice that there is also a beautiful DVD version, which presents the entire live performance recorded at L'Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe.
September 27, 2008

A tribute - Hipnotic versions of Serge Gainsbourg

After so many years searching, jane Birkin finds herself in the most intimate work I've lately heard. Open in spirit, seduction, joy, sadness she gives it all. A tribute to her late husband and her late nephew, a tribute to great songs. The arabic twist makes the trick and turns the most simple 70's french pop into deeply emotional pieces. I love Jane, she's done her best work in this album. September 13, 2008

Fresh air

Well, I'd just heard, not listened to, a piece of one of the Arabesque's song in a TV spot, here in Spain.
I was enchanted by the music and I started to look for the title and the singer through internet, when I found her, Jane Birkin, I read her biography and about her professional career and I decided to buy one of her albums.
As I previously had bought products to Amazon (and I already knew the efficent way they work)it was the first place I visited to buy the cd.
Of course they had it, and I got it in less than six days.
I truly recommend it to all the readers who enjoy life, sunsets, sunlight, moonlight and fresh air.
Elisa, the song with which the album starts, it's simply heavenly. October 25, 2007

Arabesque. Quality of customer service

I bought this item as a gift for a friend. However, it arrived in a broken CD case. The crack was very visible beyond the plastic wrapping. It means that the company does not care about the quality of the products it ships off. June 12, 2007

Jane inside out

Here's a woman throwing a bouquet at her past, and how gracefully so. Turning heartbreaking events into today's patina is an art in life, and putting a talent towards its public expression is art sublimated. This concert recording is the most intimate I've heard of Jane Birkin. Beautiful French lyrics, most appropriately set to a intensively poetic Arabic soundscape and performed in front of a wonderful audience. This cd will unfold itself a little more upon each listen. January 17, 2007

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