Customer Reviews

She: The Best of Charles Aznavour (Reis)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Charles Aznavour was slow to achieve success even in his native France. Born in 1924, he was already in his thirties when he gained recognition. There have been many compilations of his French recordings and they are well worth a listen, but this set focuses on his English language recordings. One track (I didn't see the time go by) is from 1983 while the rest were recorded between 1971 and 1978. Charles never recorded covers - the song here titled Ave Maria is his own song, not the standard. He wrote all his own material in French though he sought help in translating his songs into English. As he once said, songs are hard to translate if you still want them to rhyme in a different language.

Understandably, Charles never made the same impact in Britain and America that he did in France, but he was very popular for a few years in both countries, with hugely successful live concerts in both countries in the sixties. He had just two UK hits - The old fashioned way (1973) and She (1974), the latter going all the way to number one. This was a rare achievement for a French record though Charles was not the first Frenchman to top the UK charts. Serge Gainsbourg did it in 1969 with Je T'aime moi non plus, a duet with English born but French based Jane Birkin that was only made available in the UK because it had been banned in France.

Although his UK hits are classic love songs, Charles sang about many other topics too. It will be my day is about an unsuccessful, obviously inspired by his own struggle for success. They fell is about Armenia, a country that Charles was deeply interested in. But it is the love songs that Charles is best remembered for. Apart from She and The old fashioned way, Yesterday when I was young is probably the best-known song on this collection, but The happy days, How sad Venice can be, No I could never forget, You've got to learn, I didn't see the time go by and Ave Maria are among the many other great songs here.

Charles showed the world that France is well capable of producing world-class singer-songwriters - this collection provides but a small sample of his artistry.

Charles Aznavour is a star of immense proportion, unique in his ability to emote in song what other artists cannot. He is a talent unmatched in his ability to stir up emotion in the listener with his melodic and sometimes sad vocals. Too bad that he is not as well-known in America. To listen to Charles Aznavour is an experience of one of the greatest chanteurs in music.

Like Cher,who is an Armenian origin too,Aznavour has really,really a one-of-a-kind voice.
I like numerous great artists and Aznavour is a singer that can melt your heart away with his songs.
As music is a communication,he sings romantic,passionate and melancholy songs of easy listening for all ages.
The stage is his life and his pronounciation in english is easy to understand.

Charles is much,much loved in Europe by all sweet melodies fan.Often he's invited to various festival as SPECIAL guest
and his performance is always an 'extraordinary' amber that burst into a masterpiece of art.

This CD in English consisted fabulous songs.

This is one of his all time best! One of the greatest voices in the world!

This CD is fabulous. I saw "Charles" in Canada for his farewell Tour last year. See my father and mother were both hugh fan's of Charles. My Mother's favorite song was She, my mother pasted away a few years ago. After my father pasted away in December 2005, my sister and I thought it was a great idea to go see "Charles" as a rememberance to both of them. The CD reminds me every day the joy Charles spreads through his music. We still use his old Albums, but the CD improved the quality of the music.

I knew this music from before (Vinyl 33) and just replaced it with a CD now; In my opinion Charles Aznavour is one of the most
beautiful singers and lyricists there is.

I ordered it and hope I like it. I've only heard him sing "The Old Fashioned Way," which I love, and hope it's on this album. It would be nice if Amazon would list the songs on the CDs they sell. I was close to not buying it because I want "The Old Fashioned Way" and don't know if it's on this CD as I haven't received it yet. However, I know he has a marvelous voice, and feel certain that the songs will be winners.Can't rate it until I hear it.

-Barbara Woodward

I've placed this order on December 13,2010. Today is January 13th, 2011 and I still have not received this item.
Please let me know the status of this order before I cancell payment for it.
Thank you,
Larisa