Returning after six years, Jane Birkin graced Melbourne with her beautiful presence this past Sunday. Selling out the Recital Centre for what was a special tour, the celebration of not only 20 years since the great Serge Gainsbourg’s passing, but also 40 years since the Melody Nelson record. Birkin brought some very talented musicians (Hoshiko Yamane on violin, Takuma Sakamoto on brass, Nobuyuki Nakajima on piano and Ichuro Onoe on the drums) with her who she met while performing a concert last year in Tokyo during the aftermath of the tsunami and nuclear disaster.
There was a buzz in the lobby as attendees shared stories about Birkin; those who had seen her the last time at Hamer Hall had a good brag while younger fans chatted, bright eyed with anticipation. The same question was on everyone’s lips though, what could Jane possibly do this time around with Serge’s songs? She had already performed them in pop and arabesque, with small and large accompaniment; what else was there to do?
As everyone settled into their seats a hush fell over the audience as the lights dimmed. Hoshiko Yamane came in on the violin and then suddenly, a spotlight appeared on Jane. There was scattered applause that only slightly covered the sound of awe that filled the room. Slow but calculated like a swan, Jane floated towards the front of the stage as her delicate voice sang the first number, ‘Requiem Pour Un Con.’
The real highlight of the gig was just getting to hear Birkin speak (sweetly uneasy in her native English after so much time in France) – she was so charming she could have told the audience what she had for breakfast and they would have listened in rapt attention. ‘Should I speak in French, or English?… French? Australian?’ she teased them. It was easy to see what made Serge fall in love with her all those years ago, her smile is still just as radiant as it was then and certainly her personality is still just as sprightly. Funny then, how all the publicity posters featured the 20 year old Jane, they needn’t have bothered, she is even more stunning today in her 60s, proving that a woman needs only her grace and poise to captivate an audience, even in just a simple pair of black pants and white shirt.
Music highlights of the night included a duet with violinist Yamane to song, ‘Comic Strip’ (first made popular with Bridget Bardot). A tongue twister of a song, the two women carried it well and kept it fun. ‘Melody Nelson’ was given a more upbeat tempo and Jane even danced through the audience for a song. Not even remotely tired Jane introduced each accompanying musician with admiration and a genuine smile as she let them show off their skills and came back for an encore after the first standing ovation.
The only thing left to do was enjoy a last glass of champagne (or hot chocolate) with friends as you fixed the night into your memory until sweet Jane returns.
– Hannah Joyner
