Customer Reviews

Lili Marlene [La Chanson Francaise]

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3 star:		(3)
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Most of the songs here are older recordings with poor to decent sound quality (with the exception of 'Mein Blondes Baby,' which sounds great)--but let me tell you, it matters very little. The English version of 'Lili Marlene' on here is a better performance than the English version on 'The Cosmopolitan Marlene' CD, though not as good as the magnificent German version on the same CD. Some of the songs have only novelty value but the performances of 'Symphonie,' 'Illusions,''I've been in Love Before,''Black Market' and 'Mein Blondes Baby' aren't just classic, they're immortal (nothing else can even approximate their romantic atmosphere). All in all, quite a lot of value for the five dollars you pay.

Dietrich has a great voice; unfortunately this CD is lacking in technical quality. Many of the recordings are pre-tape and don't sound that great. Her voice, however is exquisite, and well worth the cost of the CD.

If Marlene Dietrich is your cup of tea then this is her best. If not,.......... Incidentally, one of the songs is mislabeled: it should be The Boys in the Back Room, not Background.

Although this CD is published under the label La Chanson Francaise, only three of the songs are French. Most are sung in English, and there are as many songs in German as in French. Some of the songs are truly classic, though, and Marlene's voice is just as you would expect.