Jane's Way

Serge Gainsbourg has been dead for over 20 years, but last night Jane Birkin revived him in London.

Cadogan Hall was the perfect place for an intimate concert. The former church made Jane's singing feel like a wedding performance - unpretentious, amateurish and beautifully sincere.

Jane Birkin singing Serge's songs

Overall, Miss Birkin put more heart than voice into classics like Les Feuilles Mortes, and somehow that balance felt fair. Because she was charming, in a buttoned up shirt and a pair of flowy black trousers. And because she uncovered some of Serge's lesser known pieces, like 52 year old Les Amours Perdues (which she admitted she hadn't know before preparing for the concert). 

Sounds almost like Boris Vian? 

                                         

Les Amours Perdues (1961)

And then there was Melody Nelson. Her rendition of the song from 1971 made me go back and find this crazy short music film. I want to project it onto the walls of every party I will ever throw. 

Serge Gainsbourg - Melody Nelson

Melody Nelson - Extract

That move with the arms up? We saw it last night. 

Keep it up, Jane.