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I've heard Edith Piaf off and on through the years and pretty much cast a deaf ear. Her music seemed too remote from the African-American tradition of American Popular Song, whose composers and exponents--Berlin, Kern, Arlen, Gershwin, Rodgers, Crosby, Mercer--created a unique art as a result, primarily, of being drawn to "black" music. (Make no mistake about it: the distinctiveness of "classic" American popular song, or the so-called Great American Songbook, is not its European but its African-American indebtedness.) But the recent attention Piaf has received (I haven't seen the movie) led me to the realization I didn't even have a recording by her. This new two-disc release of 36 tunes (where did Amazon come up with 40?) seemed like the best bet to get to know her better (but don't expect any written documentation whatsoever). By the end of the first disc I was no longer noticing, let alone bothered by, that French Chanteuse style with the fast-moving vibrato that used to turn me off right away. The woman's spirit simply cuts through any superficial analysis of style, or consideration of cultural differences.

Perhaps hearing Shirley Horn's version of Hymne a L'Amour (from "Here's to Life") is what helped bridge the cultural distance for me, but the present remarkable collection leaves no doubt that this petite powerhouse was packed with plenty, plenty soul. What she offers is universal--on a level with Billie and Judy, maybe better in some respects. There's not simply talent, strength, vulnerability, tragedy, passion, great energy and (unrelenting) intensity here--but unmistakable courage, and not limited to the singer but as a prerequisite to living life.

She may lack Lady Day's playfulness and understated subtlety (which sadly was reduced to bathetic spectacle during the last 5-6 years); she doesn't encompass all of vaudeville and play to the back row like Judy (who really didn't swing much more than the Little Sparrow), but she possesses more than smallness combined with power (otherwise, Kay Starr should be considered of the same magnitude). With every note that she sings she celebrates life--a frequent downer, as she acknowledges--like few other singers who come to mind. She sings as much "blues" as Billie (listen to J'ai Danse Avec L'amour); the drama of Garland is present in every song--at times, close to an authoritative, narrative recitative but elsewhere a soaring, lyrical line (Chante Moi) or contemporary lieder (L'etranger). The clarity of her diction is enough to spur you to bone up on your French.

[Postscript on Piaf's "self-destructiveness." I see much reference to this, including harsh judgments of Piaf (at least it's a change of pace from fixating on Billie, Judy, Cole Porter, Larry Hart, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Chet Baker, and a hundred other artists I could list in a couple of heartbeats--in another review I addressed Frank Rosolino's horrible and horrifying end). 1st, it's Hollywood (in this case, the French film industry) that elects to take this route; 2nd, it's the sensational stuff out of which box office hits are made. But why do we have a magnetic attraction to such artists? Is it because their personal pain makes ours feel lessened by contrast? Or because knowing that others have gone through what we have, and yet bravely carried on while "singing in their chains," is an inspiring model to us all?

This collection omits the "Piaf anthem"--Je Ne Regrette Rien (maybe it's one of the "missing 4" on my 36-tune edition of this supposedly 40-song collection). The song's title is quite a statement--coming from a woman who died of cancer after 3 serious automobile accidents. But it's a song, for Pete's sake, not the defiant rejoinder of an unrepentant Epicurean to those who would judge her for "wasting" her life. All the same, about the absence of Je Ne Regrette Rien, I have no regrets. Any collection of Sinatra songs that included the tedious and mediocre "My Way" while proclaiming itself as representative of Sinatra the artist would deserve to be instantly discredited. As someone once said, "That's life!" ]

The Very Best Of Edith Piaf certainly has a lot of her biggest hits although I must agree with anyone who notes that they should have included "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (No Regrets)" on this two CD set. However, this set still has tremendous value and worth; Edith Piaf had a way of belting out each song; and she could sing so passionately of a love gone wrong it could break your heart. Her brightest performances are invariably memorable; she always gave her all and it shows when you listen to these fabulous recordings.

There's so many wonderful ballads here I scarcely know where to start; truthfully there's not a dud in the bunch! The first CD starts with a sublime rendition of "La Vie En Rose;" this was one of Edith's signature song and she never skips a beat, either! There's a bit of surface noise but it doesn't interfere with the delight of hearing Edith sing this faultlessly. "Padam Padam" was a number Edith often sang in concert much to the delight of her adoring fans; and listen for "Hymme a l'Amour (Hymn To Love)." "Hymme a l'Amour" charms me with its beauty and nobody but Edith could have sung this so very well.

"Valse de l'Amour" is certainly easy on the ear; and I really like "J'ai Danse Avec l'Amour (I Danced With Love)." Great! "Etranger (Stranger)" shines brighter than silver and gold in Edith's capable hands; and that piano arrangement is very elegant. It all holds its own very well. "Jeune Homme Chantait" is another memorable tune that Edith infuses with passion and genuine feeling; her excellent diction bolsters her singing all the more.

The second CD continues the hits. "Mon Legionnaire" just plain sounds good; and it's a treat to hear Piaf do this one up right! I love it. "Elle Frequentait La Rue Pigalle" was another Piaf staple; and just one listen will tell you why. "Elle Frequentait La Rue Pigalle" has a brilliant arrangement and Edith aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing. Great! "C'etait Une Histoire d'Amour" is very pretty and "L'accordeoniste" couldn't have been done any better than the way Edith does it here. This ballad was yet another Piaf staple and it shines bright when Edith performs it. "Trois Cloches (Three Bells)" also gets the royal treatment from Piaf and it's a highlight of the second CD.

"Homme Que J'Aimerai" gets a very sensitive interpretation from Piaf; she sings this as if she's never going to sing it again. "Chevalier de Paris" uses the strings and the woodwind instruments to great advantage while Edith sings; and there's yet another gem in "C'est Toi (It's You)." "C'est Toi" has some nice backup vocalizing and it all sounds great.

Edith Piaf remains alive through her incredible music; she could never truly be forgotten. She was one of the best female vocalists we'll ever see; and that's pretty special. I recommend this two CD set for her fans; and I think that newcomers to her artistry will like this, too

When I was a small child she was popular and we heard her on the radio and on Ed Sullivan. Now so many years later I rediscovered her music thanks to the movie "Le Vie en Rose." As an older adult, I appreciate her ageless talent. This album is a total pleasure, I recommend it highly.

Very much enjoying my three musicals by Edith Piaf. Good traveling music in my car...I love her
voice...

What should anyone have to say about the late Edith Piaf? She had a powerful voice, so powerful that it transcended language. If you're a music lover, you need this CD.

I got this mp3 downlow for my mother. I got it as special of the day so I only paid 1.99. It has 30 songs so it was a very good vibe. The sound quality is ok since these are old songs. Mom loves it.

I admit I was curious about her after hearing her in movies like Saving Private Ryan and actually with a recent movie about her life. This seemed like a great deal at $1.99 so I bought it. Overall her voice is great. It is hard for me to evaluate the lyrics since I speak no French and it is all in that language. Note that it is oldies so the sound quality isn't the greatest. I like the overall CD though, but it doesn't really stick out as a great current CD but it is definitely something I will turn to when my mood is right.