Customer Reviews

Hymn to Love

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hymn to Love: All Her Greatest Songs in English gives people the rare treat of hearing the great Edith Piaf perform some of her greatest songs in English. Edith's voice is hauntingly beautiful and instantly recognizable to her fans; and even for the newcomer it's pleasing to hear a fine French singer performing so well in English. The artwork is beautiful; and the sound quality is very good.

"Hymne To Love" starts the CD off with Edith singing her heart and soul out in order to perform better than just about any other female chanteuse ever. Perhaps one or two female singers were also on Edith's level of expertise, but Edith's French accent makes this love ballad even more romantic. "La Vie En Rose" is a charming ballad that Edith sings with her usual panache and exquisite beauty. "La Vie En Rose" truly exposes all the joys a woman feels when she is with her one true love. "Chante Moi" is equally stunning; Edith sings this beyond perfection and the strings enhance the natural beauty of this number.

"My God" features Edith front and center; and she delivers this with great sensitivity. I always liked "My God" in French; and when Edith sings this in English she performs it masterfully as well. "Don't Cry" was always one of my very favorite songs Edith did in English; this song has a beautiful orchestration and Edith sings this to console a young woman whose man has left her. "Don't Cry" is truly a major highlight of this album. Listen also for the poignant and deeply moving "Autumn Leaves;" only Edith could perform this ballad so well; and "Autumn Leaves" by Edith Piaf always tugs at my heartstrings.

"`Cause I Love You" has a charming melody enhanced by flutes; and when Edith sings "'Cause I Love You" this number really takes flight! "No Regrets" is the English equivalent of a major hit for Edith from the later years of her career; Edith sings this with all the emotion of a woman who has personally gone through the mill countless times and still has no regrets in her very own heart.

The CD closes with two live tracks. "Lovers For A Day" stuns me with its beauty; Edith sings this flawlessly and the strings make the melody very pretty.

Edith Piaf still lives on through her music; and she will never be forgotten. Long after most "celebrities" are dead and gone, Edith Piaf will still be remembered and revered as one of the greatest female singers who ever lived and shared their talents with us. I highly recommend this for Edith Piaf fans; and even newcomers who enjoy classic pop vocals will not be disappointed.

What an unbelievable surprise - and joy - to discover Edith Piaf singing in English, and sometimes songs which she never sang in French! Her accent is ten times worse than mine... but the voice remains, outstanding!

This is a nice enough album. I think she sounds a lot nicer in French, but some of these songs are fun, and if you have enjoyed some of her original music and been curious what they might mean in English, this is one way to get a sense of them. Of course, it would be nicer if all the albums came with liner pages of lyrics but they don't. (Edith Piaf sings clearly enough in French that even an amateur language scholar can try to follow the songs by ear however.) I bought this album when I bought "The Voice of the Sparrow," and while I like that one a lot better, and can listen to it more, this one is handy to have. If you do like lyrics in translation, you might also like to check out the music of Joni James and Nana Mouskoura. Their voices are very different from hers, but the multi-lingual aspect is fun.

One cannot listen to Piaf without wanting to sing along. If you don't speak French, this is the CD for you. Great driving music at the end of the workday.

Loved this c.d.
All of Edith in English...I prefer the French of course, but hearing her in English at least give me some base of what the songs mean...plus her accent is precious...what a wonderfully talented voice...heartbreaking!!

I think Edith Piaf was one of the world's great chanteuses. However, she loses a lot in translation. Whereas her songs in French are effective, touching and powerful, in English they are somewhat bland. Perhaps this has to do with the translations which almost always water down the French. Perhaps it is because her command of English is not great. In any case, for the REAL Piaf, buy anything she recorded in French--you will be transported.

I played Piaf records over 30 years ago and then lost interest as I drifted to MoTown. I recently went to see the new movie about her life. It is INCREDIBLE and features an ASTOUNDING performance by the lead actress. I was moved to tears and and as the credits rolled, I stood, yelled "God Bless You Piaf"..and applauded. That act got the whole theater to do the same. I fell in love with her all over again only this time as a man and not a teen. I turned to amazon to fill the gaps in my collection and was please to see she had made a recording in english. On her first visit to America Piaf was NOT a success. Audience expected a Paris Showgirl and out comes Piaf in her little black dress with her cross standing 5 feet if that. She sang her songs in French and they had to be explained before she performed each one. This took a long time and was tiresome to the audience. Piaf went home and vowed to "never let that happen again". She learned English and the next time she came to America she "Blew them away!!!! He song La Vie en Rose became an instant classic. I received this CD just the other day and haven't stopped playing it. It is a side of Piaf I had never seen. She breaks my heart with each song and when she sings Chante moi...I can hardly breathe. She wrote the song and sings it with a passion seldom heard today. I thank God everyday that we had the ability to record Piaf and because of that..she will live forever. God Bless You "Little Sparrow" and look down from Heaven and see all the people who will always love you! Dennis Troy

Yes, the French versions are better but it's so refreshing to hear those songs in English especially VIE EN ROSE. At times I couldn't understand her with that thick accent but mostly it's comprehensible. And that voice could sing any language & still transcends the language barrier!! Highly recommended!!! Boy, this CD can help you when are in those moments when you feel in the dumps!!!

I had heard this singer's voice in movies but never knew who she was?? Now I do, and I really enjoy hearing her music especially in English. Now I will be able to know what she is singing about even if I hear her songs sung in French!

Great value for cost. I especially enjoyed listening to this CD and was surprised at the English selections. For anyone who enjoyed La Vie en Rose movie, I would recommend this CD.