The Story of Chanson [Original recording remastered]

Story Of (Series), Various Artists - International - Europe - Continental | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 15, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000042O1U
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,381 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf

2. J'ai Deux Amours - Josephine Baker

3. Que Rests T-il De Nos Amours - Charles Trenet

4. Les Marches De Provence - Gilbert Becaud

5. A Joinville-Le-Pont - Bourvil

6. Fleur De Paris - Maurice Chevalier

7. Les Goelands - Damia

8. La Java Bleue - Frehel

9. Mon Amant De Saint-Jean - Lucienne Delyle

10. Parlez-Moi D'Amour - Lucienne Boyer

11. Je Tire Ma Reverence - Jean Sablon

12. Syracuse - Henri Salvador

13. La Boheme - Georges Guetary

14. La Fille De Londres - Germaine Montero

15. Si Tu T'Imagines - Juliette Greco

16. Ma Cabane Au Canada - Line Renaud

17. Complaints De La Butte - Cora Vaucaire

18. Mon Truc En Plume - Zizi Jeanmaire

19. La Jaconde - Barbara

20. Pigalle - Georges Ulmer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Formidable!, August 22, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of Chanson (Audio CD)

If you have any interest in Les chanson française, you will enjoy this CD. A wonderful anthology covering a wide range of styles. I particularly enjoy Bourvil's rendition of "À Joinville-le-Pont" and Charles Trenet's "Que reste-a-til de nos Amour". Buy this CD now.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gauloises and Red Wine Sold Separately, March 22, 2004

By 

M. Hartman (East Coast, Etats-Unis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of Chanson (Audio CD)

Chanson is the popular music of France. Cafes, Red Wine Gauloises cigarettes...chanson! Chanson is the sound of French life and this is a great starting point for the uninitiated. Starting with the familiar, Piaf's "La Vie En Rose" and then Josephine Baker's "J'ai Deux Amours" the disc then escorts the listener through some of the familiar and unfamiliar stars in the chanson firmament. Charles Trenet's "Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours" is pure poetry with a sophisticated swing. These vintage tracks are wonderful. From the patriotism of Maurice Chavalier's "Fleur de Paris" to the drunken carousing of "Le Pont" these songs defined France for generations. As the cd moves into songs from the 50's and 60's Jazz (Jean Sablon), Pop (Henri Salvador) and Existentialism (Juliette Greco) began to influence chanson. While the disco-influenced "Mon Truc A Plumes" makes one wish that Blue Note hadn't ventured into the 70's on this cd, or had chosen a less dated song (Brassens, anyone?). Aside from this misstep, the cd is perfect and introduces the listener to singers too often neglected: Cora Vaucaire and Germaine Montero. Could they have included the likes of Jacques Brel, Yves Montand, Danielle Darrieux and Mireille Mathieu? Absolutely. But what they offer here stands on its own merit. The CD offers an excellent introduction to chanson and it is up to the listener to continue the journey.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbs you in its own unique musical style, January 21, 2003

By 

Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of Chanson (Audio CD)

First, you do need to know that these are recordings made between 1930-1977, so don't expect today's sound quality. However, what you can expect is a specifically ethnic genre which expresses the complex spirit of a country and its people. The singers here express varieties of emotion from an exuberant joviality to sly flirtation and innuendo to wistful yearning, all with the French accent and flair.

This music is generally fun and often romantic and at times enticing. It needs to be heard to be understood, and since the lyrics are in French with no translations, one needs to just go with the language of the music itself. There are so many great voices here, such as Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker. These are basically ballads, more often sung by the ladies.

Highly recommended.