.com 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
P**L
The very best of Birkin and Gainsbourg - all in one sound....
Just a great album by an amazing artist.
M**L
Rare opportunity to hear Djamel Ben Yelles
This album is a rare opportunity to hear the fascinating and hypnotic violinist, Djamel Ben Yelles (also spelled Benyelles) whose work has been undervalued for years. One of his skills lies in floating a musical liferaft for singers with very small voices, and he does this wonderfully here for Jane Birkin, who only stays afloat in several numbers thanks to him. If you are not a Birkin fan, you may find her contribution unbearably irritating. However the numbers where Ben Yelles's violin soars (as in his own immensely popular "She Left Home") are well worth listening to.
A**T
IN AN ORIENTAL SETTING
JANE BIRKIN'S voice remains a matter of taste,and if you did not dig her before,chances are you won't appreciate this live tribute to SERGE GAINSBOURG,her late husband.I for one appreciated many relectures of GAINSBOURG's songs like LES DESSOUS CHICS and AMOUR DES FEINTES in an ORIENTAL setting,which gives them an unique look,quite original in it's own way.Unfortunately,i do not like everything here.Sometimes,i feel like i am in THE FLOWER DRUM SONG,the RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN 1958 musical.It's a mixed bag.If your new to GAINSBOURG,don't start with this one,it would be a mistake.
F**E
Seductively exotic
With an arabian twist to the usual French pop sensibilities and fine vocals the effect is a subtly seductively exotic album filled with delights. It's almost like Ferrero Rocher ( I don't know if you guys get them ) but you feel as if " you're really spoiling us " with this collection. This has to go down as a first rate tribute to the great Serge Gainsbourg and also a first rate live album too. A must have for those interested in something different and are not bothered by a different language
T**A
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.
J**S
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.
D**E
jane
The melodies are perfect. The songs in the beginning are wonderful, then, it changes. She seems to be droning on about something. And at the end of the album I lose interest.
O**R
'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.
F**Y
Excellent
I first heard this album in a lovely French cafe in 2003 with a friend of mine on a holiday in Paris. We both loved it and asked the barman what it was. I then bought a copy for my friend as a souvenir of our lovely break together. Recently I remembered about the album and decided to buy myself a copy. 10 years later I still love it!
U**I
Five Stars
ok
K**.
A great CD
I saw Jane Birkin live at the Barbican when she sang these songs and I was delighted to have been there. I bought the CD and loved it so now I just bought it as a present for a friend - who's equally pleased!
P**M
superb
Excellent, superbly performed and produced.
J**E
Five Stars
Great service good disc
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