Customer Reviews

The Rare Piaf 1950-1962

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These recordings were made by Edith Piaf in 1949/1950 as she was trying to help American audiences understand her music more closely. She toured America several times but it took some doing to get a following. These songs are many of her French hits, especially "La Vie En Rose", and are a good way to get to know this exceptional chanteuse. Several other of the CDs offered by Amazon are well worth a visit as well as her early songs were and still are very powerful.

My first copy these songs is a scratchy old 10" LP I found in an antique shop. I treasure it but this new transcription makes them sound recorded just yesterday.

For you movie buffs who saw "Saving Private Ryan" many Piaf songs were heard on the soundtrack some of which are on this album. This album is a "must have" for Piaf fans.

"The Rare Piaf" is chiefly a collection of English versions of some of her tunes. The real prize on this CD, however, is the pair of c. 1962 studio sessions. The first is some 22 minutes long. You hear the orchestra alone practicing, then Piaf attempting the song multiple times and you can also hear her lauhging with or barking at the musicians or directors. The English tracks on this disc can be obtained on other compilations, but this one is worth getting because of the bonus tracks.

I have a Columbia Records album titled "La Vie en Rose" from the 50s with a picture of two lovers on a bench kissing on a Paris street. This album features Piaf singing completely in English. A few of the songs on Rare Piaf sound alike, but are obviously different takes?!?! The album I have has far superior versions of these songs with better vocals and instrumentation. So I'm patiently waiting for Columbia to dig into their vaults and come up with the wonderful takes I'm used to from my fast wearing vinyl.

While this Cd does lack some of Edith's trademark French zeal, it is still a joy to listen to. This is the perfect CD for those who love Edith Piaf but may not be french music connoisseurs. It is full of passion and the voice that can only come from Edith Piaf.

Do you remember the scene in Bull Durham where Nuke shouts through the door, "I know your in there, I can hear that crazy Mexican singer"?

Annie should have played him this recording instead of reading Walt Whitman. Buy this CD and you'll understand and better love the original. Oh, and buy Bull Durham, too.