Mon Legionnaire [Arkadia Chansons]

• Artist: Edith Piaf
• Rating:
• Release Date: November 11, 1997
• Total Time: 57:21
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Vocal Music

Review

The most revered and celebrated French singer of the 20th century, Edith Piaf was only 20 when she first recorded for Polydor's French division in 1936. But even on her early recordings, Piaf sang with the wisdom, maturity and depth of a seasoned veteran artist -- a fact that's hard to miss on Mon Legionnaire. Spanning 1937-1940, this superb CD focuses on Piaf's early work and boasts many of the gems that put her on the map in France, including "Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin," "J'entends La Sirene," "Le Chacal" and the title song. Though Piaf was never a jazz singer, some of the orchestral arrangements are influenced by the American big-band swing of the 1930s, as well as American sweet bands (whose focus was pop with jazz overtones). The sound quality isn't ideal -- one wishes that Arkadia's digital remastering had filtered out more of the noise and that classics like "C'est Lui Que Mon Couer A Choisi" and "Le Voyage Du Pauvre Negre" could be heard without so many pops, crackles and clicks. Even so, the richness of the music comes through loud and clear. Mon Legionnaire is a CD to savor. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Mon Légionnaire (Lyrics)	Marguerite Monnot, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(3:26)
C'Est Lui Que Mon Coeur a Choisi	Raymond Asso, Max d'Yresne	Edith Piaf	(3:20)
Je N'En Connais Pas la Fin	Marguerite Monnot, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(3:15)
Elle Fréquentait la Rue Pigalle	Louis Maitrier, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(3:30)
On Danse Sur Ma Chanson	Raymond Asso, Léo Pol	Edith Piaf	(4:10)
Entre Saint-Ouen et Clignancourt	Adhémar Sablon, André Mauprey	Edith Piaf	(3:30)
Dans un Bouge du Vieux Port	A. Liannet, A. Deltour	Edith Piaf	(3:04)
Le Fanion de la Légion	Raymond Asso, Marguerite Monnot	Edith Piaf	(3:00)
Mon Coeur Est au Coin d'Une Rue	Albert Lasry, Marius Coste	Edith Piaf	(3:05)
Correqú et Réguyer	Pete Maye, Marc Hély	Edith Piaf	(3:00)
Un Jeune Homme Chantait	Raymond Asso, Léo Pol	Edith Piaf	(2:56)
C'Est Toi le Plus Fort	Rene Cloerec, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(2:30)
Tout Fout le Camp	Raymond Asso, Robert Juel	Edith Piaf	(2:20)
Le Chacal	Raymond Asso, Robert Juel	Edith Piaf	(3:05)
J'Entends la Sirène	Raymond Asso, Marguerite Monnot	Edith Piaf	(2:40)
Les Marins, Ça Fait des Voyages	Raymond Asso, Mitty Goldin	Edith Piaf	(3:30)
Madeleine Qu'avait du Coeur	Max d'Yresne, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(3:20)
Le Voyage du Pauvre Negre	Rene Cloerec, Raymond Asso	Edith Piaf	(3:40)

Credits

Emil Stern (Conductor), Jacques Météhen (Conductor), Gene Paul (Digital Remastering), Gregory Downer (Design), Wal Berg (Conductor)