Aux armes et cætera (album)
Encyclopedia
Produced by Philippe Lerichomme, Aux Armes et cætera is the thirteenth album by Serge Gainsbourg
, released in the early spring of 1979. It was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, with some of the island's best reggae musicians as well as members of the I Threes
, Bob Marley's backup chorus which includes Rita Marley
. Further expanded by new mixes released in 2003, the album is considered by many as being one of his masterpieces. With the notable exception of Peter Tosh
recording a duet with Mick Jagger
a few months before, it was the first time a White, European singer recorded reggae in Jamaica.
Je T'aime Moi Non Plus (where Birkin's erotic voice had turned the song into a novelty success), Serge Gainsbourg was then only a cult figure having mainly met success through versions of his songs recorded by other interprets including Brigitte Bardot
, Juliette Gréco
, Honor Blackman
, Jane Birkin
, France Gall
, Petula Clark
and others. The album sold over one million copies in 1979, turning him into a major sensation in France, Belgium and French-speaking Switzerland.
Aux Armes et cætera is one of the first appearances of reggae
in French music though his own Marilou Reggae, which appears here in a different arrangement with an extra verse, renamed Marilou Reggae Dub (the composition had first appeared on his 1976 album, L'Homme à Tête de Chou, which had been recorded in London with non-reggae musicians).
The title track is a reggae
adaptation of La Marseillaise
, the French national anthem. Soon after the song's first appearance on television on April 1, 1979 (a controversial appearance followed as the recording was perceived by some as an insult to the French Republic), it became a big success. Gainsbourg received death threats upon release of his cover of the French national anthem. One journalist, Michel Droit of Le Figaro
criticized the song writing that Gainsbourg was feeding antisemitism by "trying to make money with the national anthem". Deeply hurt, in turn the singer published a striking reply. Other critics did not like that the original text was truncated, half of the chorus line (including the most military-oriented section of the song) being edited out.
Some years later, Gainsbourg purchased the original manuscript of "La Marseillaise" at an auction. He then showed critics that his version was, in fact, closer to the original than any other recorded version as the manuscript clearly shows the words "Aux armes et cætera..." for the chorus as author Rouget de l'Isle did not bother writing the full chorus each three times, preferring to shorten it with the word etc..
Two other singles were taken from the album: Vieille Canaille (a French version of You Rascal You written in the 1920s by Sam Theard) and Gainsbourg's own Lola Rastaquouère. A short European tour featuring the Jamaican group The Revolutionaries (see-line-up below) but not the I-Three followed in December 1979, culminating in a series of shows in Paris. At a show in Strasbourg, outraged paratroopers showed up in the concert hall and the show was cancelled. Serge Gainsbourg nevertheless came onstage on his own and courageously sang the regular national anthem, stating that he gave "La Marseillaise its original revolutionary meaning back". The soldiers then sang along with him in a military salute posture. The event was shown on TV news, causing more controversy and sarcasm - and boosting album sales.
The Paris shows at Le Palais were recorded by Philippe Lerichomme, mixed by Bruno Blum
and engineer Thierry Bertomeu and issued as a double CD, Gainsbourg Et Cætera in 2006.
With the same musicians and backing vocalists, Serge Gainsbourg recorded a reggae follow-up studio album in 1981, Mauvaises Nouvelles des Étoiles. In 2003 that album was also given the "dub style" treatment (see "new mixes" below) by Bruno Blum
and Soljie Hamilton.
-produced deluxe double CD version including new "dub style" mixes of the vocal tracks, including some previously unreleased recordings. Disc 2 features dub
versions of most tracks and Jamaican artists versions/adaptations of all songs. An English rendition of Lola Rastaquouère sung by producer Bruno Blum
is also included on the album, as well as a newly recorded version of Marilou Reggae (using the L'Homme à Tête de Chou vocal) featuring drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, bass player Flabba Holt and Blum on guitar.
Jamaican versions include Lone Ranger, Big Youth
, Buffalo Bill
, Lisa Dainjah, King Stitt and Brady. All tracks were mixed by veteran Jamaican sound engineer Soljie Hamilton.
Lyrics and music were written by Serge Gainsbourg except "Aux Armes Et Caetera" (Lyrics : Rouget de l'Isle - Music : Serge Gainsbourg) and "Vieille Canaille" (Sam Theard - Jacques Plante). Arrangements were by Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Serge Gainsbourg.
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
, released in the early spring of 1979. It was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, with some of the island's best reggae musicians as well as members of the I Threes
I Threes
The I Threes were a Jamaican reggae singing group made up of three women, that was formed in 1974 to support Bob Marley & The Wailers after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer — the original Wailer backing vocalists — left the band....
, Bob Marley's backup chorus which includes Rita Marley
Rita Marley
Alpharita Constantia Anderson , better known as Rita Marley, and sometimes called "Nana Rita", is the widow of reggae legend/musician Bob Marley, and a member of the trio the I Threes, Bob Marley's backup singers.-Biography:...
. Further expanded by new mixes released in 2003, the album is considered by many as being one of his masterpieces. With the notable exception of Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh , was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of the band The Wailers , and who afterward had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari.Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica, an illegitimate child to a mother too young...
recording a duet with Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
a few months before, it was the first time a White, European singer recorded reggae in Jamaica.
Original Mixes
With the exception of his 1969 international hit duet with Jane BirkinJane Birkin
Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE is an English-born actress and singer who lives in France. In recent years she has written her own album, directed a film and become an outspoken proponent of democracy in Burma.- Early life :...
Je T'aime Moi Non Plus (where Birkin's erotic voice had turned the song into a novelty success), Serge Gainsbourg was then only a cult figure having mainly met success through versions of his songs recorded by other interprets including Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
, Juliette Gréco
Juliette Gréco
Juliette Gréco, — also Michelle – is a French actress and popular chanson singer.-Early life and family:Juliette Gréco was born in Montpellier to a Corsican father and a mother who became active in the Résistance, in the Hérault département of southern France. She was raised by her maternal...
, Honor Blackman
Honor Blackman
Honor Blackman is an English actress, known for the roles of Cathy Gale in The Avengers and Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger .-Early life:...
, Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin
Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE is an English-born actress and singer who lives in France. In recent years she has written her own album, directed a film and become an outspoken proponent of democracy in Burma.- Early life :...
, France Gall
France Gall
France Gall is a popular French yé-yé singer.Gall was married to, and had a successful singing career in partnership with, French singer-songwriter Michel Berger....
, Petula Clark
Petula Clark
Petula Clark, CBE is an English singer, actress, and composer whose career has spanned seven decades.Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II...
and others. The album sold over one million copies in 1979, turning him into a major sensation in France, Belgium and French-speaking Switzerland.
Aux Armes et cætera is one of the first appearances of reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
in French music though his own Marilou Reggae, which appears here in a different arrangement with an extra verse, renamed Marilou Reggae Dub (the composition had first appeared on his 1976 album, L'Homme à Tête de Chou, which had been recorded in London with non-reggae musicians).
The title track is a reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
adaptation of La Marseillaise
La Marseillaise
"La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France. The song, originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" was written and composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic's anthem in 1795...
, the French national anthem. Soon after the song's first appearance on television on April 1, 1979 (a controversial appearance followed as the recording was perceived by some as an insult to the French Republic), it became a big success. Gainsbourg received death threats upon release of his cover of the French national anthem. One journalist, Michel Droit of Le Figaro
Le Figaro
Le Figaro is a French daily newspaper founded in 1826 and published in Paris. It is one of three French newspapers of record, with Le Monde and Libération, and is the oldest newspaper in France. It is also the second-largest national newspaper in France after Le Parisien and before Le Monde, but...
criticized the song writing that Gainsbourg was feeding antisemitism by "trying to make money with the national anthem". Deeply hurt, in turn the singer published a striking reply. Other critics did not like that the original text was truncated, half of the chorus line (including the most military-oriented section of the song) being edited out.
Some years later, Gainsbourg purchased the original manuscript of "La Marseillaise" at an auction. He then showed critics that his version was, in fact, closer to the original than any other recorded version as the manuscript clearly shows the words "Aux armes et cætera..." for the chorus as author Rouget de l'Isle did not bother writing the full chorus each three times, preferring to shorten it with the word etc..
Two other singles were taken from the album: Vieille Canaille (a French version of You Rascal You written in the 1920s by Sam Theard) and Gainsbourg's own Lola Rastaquouère. A short European tour featuring the Jamaican group The Revolutionaries (see-line-up below) but not the I-Three followed in December 1979, culminating in a series of shows in Paris. At a show in Strasbourg, outraged paratroopers showed up in the concert hall and the show was cancelled. Serge Gainsbourg nevertheless came onstage on his own and courageously sang the regular national anthem, stating that he gave "La Marseillaise its original revolutionary meaning back". The soldiers then sang along with him in a military salute posture. The event was shown on TV news, causing more controversy and sarcasm - and boosting album sales.
The Paris shows at Le Palais were recorded by Philippe Lerichomme, mixed by Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum is a singer songwriter, guitar player and music producer nicknamed "Doc Reggae." Born in Vichy, France on October 4, 1960, he is mostly known for his work in the reggae music field, and also works as a comic book artist, illustrator, painter, photographer, writer and speaker.He was the...
and engineer Thierry Bertomeu and issued as a double CD, Gainsbourg Et Cætera in 2006.
With the same musicians and backing vocalists, Serge Gainsbourg recorded a reggae follow-up studio album in 1981, Mauvaises Nouvelles des Étoiles. In 2003 that album was also given the "dub style" treatment (see "new mixes" below) by Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum is a singer songwriter, guitar player and music producer nicknamed "Doc Reggae." Born in Vichy, France on October 4, 1960, he is mostly known for his work in the reggae music field, and also works as a comic book artist, illustrator, painter, photographer, writer and speaker.He was the...
and Soljie Hamilton.
New Mixes
In 2003, Aux armes et cætera was re-released in a Bruno BlumBruno Blum
Bruno Blum is a singer songwriter, guitar player and music producer nicknamed "Doc Reggae." Born in Vichy, France on October 4, 1960, he is mostly known for his work in the reggae music field, and also works as a comic book artist, illustrator, painter, photographer, writer and speaker.He was the...
-produced deluxe double CD version including new "dub style" mixes of the vocal tracks, including some previously unreleased recordings. Disc 2 features dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
versions of most tracks and Jamaican artists versions/adaptations of all songs. An English rendition of Lola Rastaquouère sung by producer Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum
Bruno Blum is a singer songwriter, guitar player and music producer nicknamed "Doc Reggae." Born in Vichy, France on October 4, 1960, he is mostly known for his work in the reggae music field, and also works as a comic book artist, illustrator, painter, photographer, writer and speaker.He was the...
is also included on the album, as well as a newly recorded version of Marilou Reggae (using the L'Homme à Tête de Chou vocal) featuring drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, bass player Flabba Holt and Blum on guitar.
Jamaican versions include Lone Ranger, Big Youth
Big Youth
Manley Augustus Buchanan , better known as Big Youth , is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s....
, Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
, Lisa Dainjah, King Stitt and Brady. All tracks were mixed by veteran Jamaican sound engineer Soljie Hamilton.
Original Album Track listing
- "Javanaise Remake" - 3:05
- "Aux armes et cætera" - 3:05
- "Les Locataires" - 2:09
- "Des Laids Des Laids" - 2:36
- "Brigade Des Stups" - 1:57
- "Vieille Canaille" - 3:02
- "Lola Rastaquouère" - 3:40
- "Relax Baby Be Cool" - 2:30
- "Daisy Temple" - 3:53
- "Eau Et Gaz A Tous Les Etages" - 0:37
- "Pas Long Feu" - 2:33
- "Marilou Reggae Dub" - 3:48
Lyrics and music were written by Serge Gainsbourg except "Aux Armes Et Caetera" (Lyrics : Rouget de l'Isle - Music : Serge Gainsbourg) and "Vieille Canaille" (Sam Theard - Jacques Plante). Arrangements were by Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Serge Gainsbourg.
Personnel
- Singers: The I ThreesI ThreesThe I Threes were a Jamaican reggae singing group made up of three women, that was formed in 1974 to support Bob Marley & The Wailers after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer — the original Wailer backing vocalists — left the band....
- Marcia GriffithsMarcia GriffithsMarcia Llyneth Griffiths is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances".Griffiths started her career in 1964...
, Rita MarleyRita MarleyAlpharita Constantia Anderson , better known as Rita Marley, and sometimes called "Nana Rita", is the widow of reggae legend/musician Bob Marley, and a member of the trio the I Threes, Bob Marley's backup singers.-Biography:...
, Judy MowattJudy MowattJudy Mowatt was born in the year 1948 in Gordon Town, St. Andrew Jamaica. She is an internationally acclaimed reggae artist who rose to fame as 1/3 of the trio the I THREE who were the Back-Ground vocalists for Bob Marley.-Biography:... - Bass: Robbie Shakespeare
- Drums: Sly DunbarSly DunbarLowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
- Guitar: Mikey ChungMikey ChungBorn Michael Chung in 1954, Mikey "Mao" Chung is a keyboard, guitar and percussion player, arranger and record producer of Jamaican music.-Biography:...
- Rhythm Guitar: Radcliffe "Dougie" Bryan
- Organ: Ansel Collins
- Percussion: Uziah "Sticky" Thompson
- Acoustic Piano: Mikey Chung, Robbie Lyn
Singles
- 1979 : Vieille Canaille / Daisy Temple
- 1979 : Des laids, des laids / Aux armes et cætera