Description
Brigitte Fontaine, an icon within the domain of French avant-garde music, unveiled her groundbreaking anthology ‘Brigitte Fontaine est…’ in 1968. Drawing together the literary and the auditory with astounding decorum, Fontaine’s album made waves within the world of music.
Born on the 24th of June in 1939, Brigitte Fontaine brought a new meaning to the term ‘multi-talented’. Balancing roles as a singer, novelist, poet and playwright, she also cultivated the art of melding incongruous music styles. Playing with electronica, jazz, spoken word poetry and her native French tunes, Fontaine was not afraid to experiment, paving the way for contemporary artists such as Björk and Grace Jones to explore and push the boundaries of their music genres.
Taking an interactive approach to musical experimentation, Fontaine took the stage with other artists. The likes of Areski Belkacem, Serge Gainsbourg’s long time collaborator, graced the albums while Vannier was the architect behind the lush arrangements on ‘Brigitte Fontaine est…’. Poetic, bold and rule-breaking, Brigitte’s album was something the music world hadn’t seen before.
Key artists like Stereolab and Sonic Youth admired and respected Fontaine’s style, leading to collaborations that inspired a new breed of alternative eclectic music. She remained as on stage performer in theatres around Paris, presenting her creations enriched with stunning artistry. She shared the stage with artistes like George Brassens and Barbara at the Bobino, drawing inspiration from their commendable work ethics. Fontaine’s collaborations forged breakthroughs, and a refreshed vigor towards the global music scene.
Her album features riveting tracks that fuse the overstated and the understated. From tackling the profound theme of mortality to exploring the female desire and advocating social uprising, Fontaine left no stone unturned. Brigitte Fontaine’s lyrical prowess was beautifully complemented by Jean-Claude Vannier’s dynamic arrangements. Given his partnership with Sonic Youth and his long-standing alliance with Serge Gainsbourg, the result was nothing short of spectacular.
Additionally, her standout track “Il Pleut” featured the brilliant Malachi Favors on bass and reinforced her connection to the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Brigitte carried on an enduring legacy of challenging French pop and expanding its reach throughout the global stage. Indeed, Brigitte Fontaine is a uniqely gifted artist who added an invaluable layer to the world of music.
