Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf - Volume 1, The Golden Album [Import]

Edith Piaf | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Om Town/Higher Octave
• ASIN: B00004U94K
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,740 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. J'M'en Fous Pas Mal [I Shouldn't Care]

2. Hymne a l'Amour [A Hymn to Love]

3. Les Amants d'Un Jour [Lovers for a Day]

4. C'est l'Amour [It's Love]

5. Le Chemin des Forains [The Gypsies' Path]

6. Les Amants de Teruel [The Lovers of Teruel]

7. Cri du Coeur [The Cry of the Heart]

8. Mon Legionnaire [My Legionnaire]

9. Pleure Pas (Don't Cry)

10. Enfin le Printemps [Spring at Last]

11. T'Es Beau Tu Sais [You're So Handsome, You Know]

12. La Foule (Que Nadie Sepa Mi Suffrir) [The Crowd Say Bo Selecta]

13. Mon Dieu [My God]

14. La Vie en Rose [Life Seen Through Rose Colored Glasses]

15. Les Neiges de Finlande [The Snows of Finland]

16. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien [No, I Have No Regrets]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It is, of course, a ridiculous notion: breathing life into a long-gone musical legend in performances and, seemingly even more outré, in the recording studio. And the subject of the tributes is not Elvis but Edith Piaf, the improbable French pop legend whose incredible life reads like seedy, over-the-top pages discarded from a Jackie Collins novel. But ludicrous or not, Raquel Bitton has tackled the task with a verve and courage worthy of the street-corner nightingale herself. And while the voice may not always be the virtually operatic vessel that Piaf possessed, Bitton's is a good deal more than "close enough for jazz," as the saying goes. More importantly, the chanteuse captures Piaf's intense emotionality and grand theatrical essence, the very elements that turn mere pop songs into hymns, confessionals and, at their best, self-contained, three-minute operettas. Bitton cannily delivers the goods in bilingual fashion, making Piaf's challenging body of work all the more inviting to unfamiliar listeners. Bob Holloway's effectively spare arrangements capture the vintage air of the originals, making the album's gimmicky scratchy phonograph record opening a bit superfluous. A sonically transparent way to (re)discover the legend that is Piaf. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf, September 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf - Volume 1, The Golden Album (Audio CD)

Until today, I was unaware of Raquel Bitton. I was in a music store and saw this album on an audio previewer. I am familiar with and like Edith Piaf. So, I sat down and turned this album on. It brought tears to my eyes. I immediately bought it and came home and played it to compare with actual Piaf recordings. Bitton is like a reincarnated Piaf to me.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf, June 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf - Volume 1, The Golden Album (Audio CD)

If you're tired, stressed out, sick of your job and need a vacation, but can't quite swing a ticket to Paris at the moment, do the next best thing and pick up any CD by Raquel Bitton. I would suggest starting with "Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf." This album reminds us that, once upon a time, music really could transport us to another world--that beautiful lyrics (no matter what the language)--could tell a complete story of love, longing, betrayal, triumph and joy--and that there are still singers who can, without the aid of electronic enhancement, use their spectacular voices to stir our deepest emotions. My favorite selection in this particular collection is "Le Chemin Des Forains" ("The Gypsies Path"). If ever there was a song to bring you out of the doldrums--or at least out of your chair--this is the one. But beware, after listening to it you may be sorely tempted to dump that old job and join "The Gypsies...That left...in the night..." Just be sure to pack all your Raquel Bitton CD's to take on the road with you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raquel c'est magnifique!!, December 20, 2002

By 

Kevin-Michael Johns (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raquel Bitton Sings Edith Piaf - Volume 1, The Golden Album (Audio CD)

Raquel Bitton is a wonderful and most unique talent. On this album, she performs the very best that Edith Piaf had to offer.
When you think about the fact that Piaf recorded about 400 songs, that is a formidable statement.

What I loved about this disc is that the quality of the songs-and the musicianship is beyond reproach.

I was smitten with the first bars of the disc. I recognized immediately that the essence of Edith Piaf not only lived on, but in a voice that was individual; yet I recognized how much Raquel absolutely loved this music. She completely captures the essence that is Edith Piaf!

For those of you who are Piaf junkies, don't even hesitate. Just put it in the cart. For those of you that are borderline, I invite you to take a listen and then try to resist.

What Raquel Bitton has...is talent. Don't miss out. And remember, I told you so!