In a message dated 7/30/03 9:29:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Steven.Durben@cignabehavioral.com writes:

<< One of the things I've fallen in love with per this list is "French Pop" 
and
 "Soft Pop".  Anyway, can anyone shed some tips on either of these two
 influential artists: Jacques Brel  and/or Serge Gainsbourg?  I'm assuming
 the Gainsbourg place to start is his best of "Comic Strip"...true?
 Additionally, please excuse my ignorance but is Brel's own recordings of his
 songs a must have for fans of this music?  It can't really touch Scott
 Walker's recordings can it (wishfully asking)???? >>

Have you heard any of Francois Hardy's or Jane Birkin's recordings?  Great 
stuff.  Actually Bridgette Bardot made some cool French pop records too!  The 
other Serge Gainsbourg lp that I think is great is called L'Histore de Melody".
As far as more recent stuff I really like Phoenix and Tahiti 80 for softer 
French pop although it is not sung in French.  Oh Yeah!  I love that band Auteur 
de Lucie (<sp?) too.
I thought that Scott Walker's versions of Brel's songs were better than the 
originals!
MB