Customer Reviews

Intoxicated Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The greatness of Gainsbourg's songs are undeniable, and for those of us who don't understand French, this is a great way to discover how great a lyricist he was as well. Although some of the songs may sound off-putting at first to hear it in English, after a while you begin to appreciate Harvey's great care in translating the words; songs like Chatterton (every line followed with "suicide") and Harley Davidson ("I don't care if I die, on my Harley Davidson) take on a whole different meaning with the understanding of the words. Harvey's arrangements do great justice to the songs, sometimes faithfully recreating the original arrangements, and in some cases transforming the song. This is definitly recommended for fans of Gainsbourg, and for anyone who has an interest in Gainsbourg, this is a great introduction, along with Gainsbourg's own Comic Strip compilation. 69 Erotic Year still sounds a little off-putting when sung in English though.

Mick Harvey (sometime Bad Seed, occasional Criminal with a City Solution, former Birthday Partier) has translated about 16 Serge Gainsbourg songs from French and done the near impossible: he has perhaps improved upon the originals, and found the ideal avenue for Anita Lane's voice. The duets of Anita and Mick on this album are perfection. The lyrics--which, personally, I couldn't have figured out in French, are witty, the music is ideal for fast-walking or long-driving (though "Jazz in the Ravine" is bound to make you stop and think..."in the morning, they'll use a spoon, to scoop up our remains..." is not to be ignored.) Do some side-by-side comparisons to the originals--and you'll find you love both versions!

this cd has been on my favorites list since 2000, mick is a true artist, the lyrics which i bet were hard to translate keeping the same timing as the french, are very intriguing. It's like i can finally what serge was singing about. Super cool. I think you should also check out Crime and the City Solutions album "Paradise Discotheque" That is also amazing.

This is such a divergent mix of sounds and melodies that it is difficult to grow tired of this CD. The baritone richness of Mick Harvey's voice is a perfect match for the lyrical quality of Anita Lane. The songs are a mixture of pure rock (Harley Davidson), Classical (Initials BB), jazz, etc, with some fantastic melodies thrown in. These songs are the product of Frence singer Serge Gainsborough and Harvey certainly did well. Bravo! Encore!

Mick Harvey's covers (with Anita Lane) are works of real appreciation and a pleasure for listeners. He has a superb ear for what is special in Gainsbourg's music and lyrics and does his own take on them. There are clear differences. There's less jazz and more rock in Harvey's versions, and the smirking, self-dramatizing sarcasm of Gainsbourg's insinuating baritone is missing. The sound is OK but vocals a little muddy. Harvey punches up hooks and beats, though Gainsbourg was not shy about throbbing music. The translations are often clever, at times adding to the Gainsbourg verbal play, at least as far as my faded French can make out, esp. in the title song "Intoxicated Man." I purchased this together with Harvey's "Pink Elephants," also a collection of Gainsbourg translations, and I highly recommend both. Unlike a previous reviewer, I actually like this one a shade better, but both deserve 5 stars.

Being a fan of Mick Harvey, a gentle, charming and extremely talented man, for over 20 years, I had no hesitation in buying this CD when it was first released. It merges Mick's musicianship and production skills with the beautiful, often cynical, humorous and emotive songs of Serge Gainsbourg. And with this recording, Mick owns these songs, reinventing himself while honouring the memory of the composer. I am currently living away from home and missed this CD so have just bought it again.
Any fan of the Bad Seeds should discover Mick Harvery's side and solo projects - you won't regret it.

Stumbled across MP3s for this today and immediately bought the album. This is perhaps the best collection of Gainsbourg covers I have found - and to find them in English is a neat twist. Serge would have wanted it this way.

Mick Harvey's exploring great Serge Gainsbourg. Great covers. Anita Laine is helping.

It's one of those records with brilliance. A perfect, non-pretentious, adventurous, engaging, honest piece of work. You think Nick Cave is good... I bet he's (mick) the Keith Richards, the musical genius in the band. The chemistry with Anita is great. I have been giving it as a present to friends. It's also an aphrodisiac, as one is not reminded of Gainsbourg's sour looks, Mick has a really sexy voice. Get it and live a fuller life!