Christine Andreas CD: Piaf-No Regrets
Christine Andreas’ connection with Edith Piaf is formidable. Perhaps in another life she huddled and sang in the streets with her heroine. As a sensitive woman, an actress, and a French speaker, Andreas channels “the Little Sparrow” like no one else. To begin with, she has arguably the best “trill” in the business. This CD of French songs, often additionally in English, is a welcome immersion for Francophiles and romantics. Lush orchestrations add to ardent spirit.
“L’Accordeoniste” (Michel Emer) is a sweeping waltz which stops and starts for the story of a prostitute. Andreas understands the French prevalence of pairing dark and light. The vocalist has a long note that whirls like a chiffon cyclone. Breathlessness is an illusion. “La valse de l’amour” (Marguerite Monnot/Edith Piaf) is a wise and tender carousel waltz” There’s always a heart/Which is searching for another heart/So begins/A romance/It’s the waltz of love…
I didn’t ask the name/I knew nothing of him/He made love to me all night long…/ My legionnaire/He didn’t stay in my life/He left in the morning/Full of light… Andreas sings “Mon legionnaire” (Marguerite Monnot/Raymond Asso) as if she always knew “he” would leave- lyrics cast shadows- unhappy but not rueful.
“Autumn Leaves” (Joseph Kosma/Jacques Prevert; English-Johnny Mercer), curiously sung only in English, shimmers, restraint carrying through the beautiful instrumental. “Mon Manege a moi” (Norbert Glanzberg/Jean Constantin) arrives bright and flirty: You make my head spin/The merry-go-round is you… Andreas’ voice skips, twirls, and dances without a false move or frayed note.
“The Poor People of Paris” (Marguerite Monnot/ Rene Rouzaud. English -Jack Lawrence) is based on “La goualante du pauvre Jean” (“The Ballad of Poor John”). Its English language title arises from a misinterpretation of the French title, as “pauvre Jean” was taken for the same-sounding “pauvres gens”, which translates as “poor people. A jaunty duet with Marty Silvestri is a tongue in cheek defense of the lucky French: I feel sorry for the French/Every guy has hot a wench/Every couple’s on a bench…Like a music hall number, it has effervescent dialogue.
Jacque Brel’s classic “Ne me quitte pas” (“Never Leave Me” English lyric Rod McKuen) is deeply melancholy. Part whisper, part pleading promise, it anticipates the worst. There are tears in Andreas’ voice, dramatic stress in her delivery. “Sous le ciel de Paris” (“Under Paris Skies” Hubert Giraud/Jean Drejac. English lyric-Kim Gannon) is an exhortation to give in to temptation no matter what ensues: Paris is just a gay coquette/Who wants to love and forget…One can’t help but sway.
In “I Love Paris” (Cole Porter), the vocalist’s voice fans out as if covering the entire city, every beloved, cliché image, each memory and hope. It’s palpably warm. Heart in her voice, she interjects Piaf’s signature “La vie en rose”(Edith Piaf/Louiguy) which segues from declaration to Faberge delicacy showcasing extraordinary control. Perhaps the icon’s best known song, “Non, je ne regret rien” (Charles Dumont/Michel Vaucaire) is an anthem. You can practically see Andreas’ nostrils flare. We end with the exuberant polka “Milord” (Mayguerite Monnot/George Moustaki), all grit and joy.
Christine Andreas CD: Piaf-No Regrets
Orchestrated by Larry Blank
Direction and Arrangements by Martin Silvestri
Label: P.S. Classics
