L'Accordeoniste [Arkadia]

Performer: Edith Piaf
Engineer: Gene Paul
Distributor: V.I.E.W. Distibution

Notes: At the dawn of the 1940s, Edith Piaf was a superstar in France and had become that country's top female pop vocalist. Meanwhile, her popularity was growing in the U.S., where she would become more and more famous as the 1940s progressed. Spanning 1940-44, this 1997 CD boasts many of the World War II-era pearls that helped make Piaf increasingly famous in the U.S. The fact that Piaf sings exclusively in French on such essential offerings as "Y A Pas D'Printemps," "Simple Comme Bonjour," "Le Disque Use" and "L'accordeoniste" (a major hit) didn't prevent them from reaching American listeners who spoke only English. Those with some knowledge of French will realize how superb the lyrics are, but even if you don't speak a word of French, it's obvious that Piaf is pouring a tremendous amount of feeling and emotion into "C'est Toujours La Mem Histoire," "De L'autre Cote De La Rue" and other classics. One needn't understand what Piaf is saying to realize just how magnificent a voice she had. The sound quality on these 78-era recordings isn't perfect, but the material certainly is. ~ Alex Henderson

France's "Little Sparrow" was the stuff of legend. Edith Piaf remains one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. Her dramatic singing style and her anguished voice appealed to French audiences and by the outbreak of World War II she had become a star. After the war, Piaf's reputation spread internationally and she appeared in New York, singing at Carnegie Hall. In her private life Piaf was as tormented as the heroines of her songs. She had many tumultuous relationships, most causing her severe emotional damage that was reflected in her passionate performances.

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