Ex-Fan des Sixties Baby Alone by Jane Birkin (CD, Sep-2003, Phonogram France)

After Serge Gainsbourg died in 1991, his label Phillips Records decided that a proper comprehensive CD set of the deceased man's former wife should see the light of day. Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg were partners from 1968 to 1980, and they pretty well did it all, together. (Except actually get married) Serge transformed the young British actress into a singer in 1968 with thier first single together, '69 Annee Erotique,' in which they proclaimed thier love for each other at 45 RPM's. There were more duets, an album together, and then Jane went solo (only musically) in 1973. Serge wrote all of Jane's first six solo records, and at the time of his death, she couldn't imagine singing songs written by anyone else. Even though Serge and Jane split in 1980, they remained very close friends right up to his death. In 1992, Phillips Records issued a four CD set of almost all of Serge's music that Jane recorded. Here in Volume 3, we have 'Ex Fan Des Sixties' from 1978, and 'Baby Alone in Babylone' from 1983. The last two tracks on this CD consist of Jane's 1985 single 'Quoi,' and it's B-Side, 'Come un Gabbiano.' Each of these two albums moved Jane's career ahead in leaps. 'Ex Fan' spawned two hit singles and was her best seller so far. 'Baby Alone' did even better, going gold and winning Jane first prize from 'L'Academie Charles Cros.' The album also gave her two more hit singles. Volume 3 also features great pictures of Jane, and the lyrics to ALL 25 songs, in French. Even though it doesn't appear to be a classy issue, this disc is indeed, very classy and a great tribute not only to Jane Birkin, but also the amazing music of a genius, Serge Gainsbourg. This CD is now out of print, but like Volume 2, isn't too hard to find for around $20. Volume 1 and 4 are almost impossible to find, and fetch up to $50 each. However, they are still worth every penny.