Boum: Great French Stars

Charles Trenet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 1995)
• Original Release Date: November 16, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Asv Living Era
• ASIN: B000001HIN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,344 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. La Route Enchantee

2. Y'a De La Joie

3. Boum!

4. J'ai Ta Main

5. Pigeon Vole

6. Il Pleut Dans Ma Chambre

7. Papa Pique, Maman Coud

8. La Polka Du Roi

9. Un Rien Me Fait Chanter

10. Swing, Troubadour!

11. La Vie Qui Va

12. Mam'zelle Clio

13. Bobsoir, Jolie Madame

14. Debit De L'Eau, Debit De Lait

15. Vous Oubliez Votre Cheval

16. La Biguine A Bango

17. Quand J'Etais P'tit...(Je Vous Aimais)

18. Le Soleil Et La Lune

19. Le Temps Des Cerises

20. En Quittant La Ville

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great offbeat listening, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Boum: Great French Stars (Audio CD)

Many Americans know of Maurice Chevalier, but few have ever heard of Charles Trenet. That is a shame, because Trenet is a better singer (in my opinion) and a more interesting songwriter.

Yes, it is a BIG help to know French to get the songs on this disk. But, even without an extensive understanding of the songs, there is a lot of entertaining and upbeat music. Most of the music could best be described as transitional between the "crooner" style and the later, less-vocals-oriented big band style.

If you get the words, you will find that many of the songs are lighthearted and comical. Trenet was quite a poet (he actually started his career as a poet and not a singer).

My one (minor) complaint about this disk is that I would have liked to have the lyrics included with the liner notes. I've listened to some of the songs many a time trying to parse out some phrase of idiomatic French. Even better, would have been to include the lyrics with reasonable English translations.

All in all, this is a fun recording. I like making my neighbors wonder by turning up the volume on "Boum" or "Pigeon Vole" (my two favorites) If you like oddball pop/jazz, this might be a fun one to try.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastique!!, December 21, 2004

By 

Doshu L. Tokeshi "uglyfrontman" (Sterling, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boum: Great French Stars (Audio CD)

Man, Its hard to write about an album like this, when you're the lead scream guy in a punk/hardcore band. So, here it goes. Charles Trenet's voice has been etched in my mind since I was young, depriving myself of sleep late at night to watch "World at War" on PBS. I clearly remember seeing film of the famed Maginot Line and Sir Lawrence Olivier's soothing voice and the trumpets from the begining of "Boum" the title track. A nice Kubrick-esque moment. I then lucked out and blundered across this album, I recklessly snatched it up, and somewhat ashamedly, been playing the hell out of it for 6 almost 7 years now. If you want some atmosphere music of a bygone era or something to give the feel of prewar and occupied France, this is for you, brother! I agree, with previous posts, the guy's got some lungs, he can really belt it out! Besides Yves Montand, my knowledge of french vocalists is not strong-- BUT I know what I like! so take it from an old, noisy musician, buy it you fools!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolument Fantastique, September 9, 2004

By 

Greg Iriart "LA Music Man" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boum: Great French Stars (Audio CD)

It is a shame that Charles Trenet wasn't not more popular on this side of the pond. In his day, he was he was as popular in France as Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra were here in the USA. Writing most of his own text and music, he was a star of 20th century chanson. If you are curious as to exactly what he is singing about, I have found several websites with full lyrical listings. This CD is a good starting point for those who are discovering Trenet for the first time, but also great for the collector. ASV Living Era has done a great job assembling and presenting these timeless hits. Bravo!