I love Gainsboug as much as any French music fanatic, but the cover of Variations sur Marilou by Alain Bashung that has been released posthumously on his L'Homme a Tete de Chou album is really exceptional.
The album is a cover version of the Gainsbourg concept album from '76 and it stands as a powerful tribute to two of France's finest musical talents.
The album, which came out on November 7 has finally been released two years after it was used for a contemporary ballet production staged by choreographer Jean-Claude Gallotta staged at Grenoble's MC2 in November 2009. Bashung died of lung cancer in March that year.
The album is a cover of the Serge Gainsbourg album of the same name, released originally by Serge in 76, his final 'rock' album before his reggae phase. I'm probably guilty like many are of not giving this album the credit it deserved on first listen, coming as it did after the notorious Rock Around The Bunker album and his reggae work, but Gainsbourg was at the top of his game when he created it, his instinctive musical sensibilities and his use of poetry combining with his earthy sense of humour.
It was Gainsbourg's second concept album, following his earlier Histoire de Melody Nelson five years earlier.
Bashung had a long career, his first release in 1966 but his major success coming in the 1980s. Albums like Roman Photo in 1977, Roulette Russe in 1979, Pizza in 1981 and Passé le Rio Grande in 1986 confirmed him as one of the most significant voices in French music
His song Gaby, oh Gaby was in the charts for over a year, the follow up Vertige de l'amour also being a huge hit.
Bashung died in March 2009 aged 61, his last public appearance was at the Victoires de la Musique awards that year, where he won three awards following the release of his Bleu Petrole album - best album, best male artist and best live act.
Bashung had been as the most awarded artist in the history of the award, with a total of 11 wins during his lifetime.
His album Fantaisie Militaire was awarded the title of best album of the last 20 years at the ceremony's 20th anniversary and a posthumous 12th award for his 2008 live at L'Olympia DVD.
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