Class, Art, Allure of a Great & Elegant French Octogenarian
Gerald Parker | Rouyn-Noranda, QC., Dominion of Canada | 01/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On this CD Charles Aznavour, the Armenian-French singer and songwriter of such just renown, sings in several languages with various duet partners, female and male. Aznavour attained the age of 84 the year that this CD set was published (2008). Yet there are few evidences of ageing or wear in this man's expressive and highly flexible voice. Of course, as one can tell from the the depiction of him on the cover of the CD's brochure (and in numerous photos), whether slightly flattering or otherwise, Aznavour looks several decades younger than 84, too. The man, voice and body, is made of endurable stuff! One can hear just a touch of gristle now amidst the incisive edge and the dulcet felt of Aznavour's voice, one of such fascinating colour, power, and ability to convey ardour or any other shade of emotion or mood. However, this artist remains surpremely in command of his vocal powers, of that rest assured! Many of the songs convey exquisite yet manly nostalgia; one senses that Aznavour is gazing backwards across the long years over which his career has taken place, pleased, puzzled, wishing that what had been as a young man still were today, but without any maudlin self-pity, on one hand, or self-excuse on the other.
The first of the two CDs is entirely in French, and, for these ears, is the better of the two, although Aznavour and his celebrated duettists sing wonderfully in the content of both discs. The French texts, for one thing, are that much more distinguished and poetic than the translations, albeit more than merely serviceable ones, can hope to be. Charles Aznavour sings comfortably in several languages, as the second disc proves. Many of the same songs recur, sung with the same partners, but in a variety of English, German, Italian, and Spanish these second times around. So good is Aznavour's Italian, in fact, that he sings in that language with greater clarity zest than does Laura Pausini, his Italian-born partner! (They had sung "Paris au mois d'août" in French on disc 1, then again in Italian as titled "Parigi in agosto" on disc 2.) The only vocalist who falls too considerably below Aznavour's level is Liza Minnelli, leathery-voiced and crude, her voice at 62 years old (the age which she attained in 2008) not in quite the fine fettle that Aznavour's own is at 21 more years older than Minnelli's age! However, Minnelli never was subtle as a singer, even in her prime; Aznavour always was, and still is, as subtle, probing, and charming as ever. The other singers, from past and present, really are at their best throughout. In alphabetical order they are (by the best known form of name by which they are known), Paul Anka, Céline Dion, Plácido Domingo, Bryan Ferry, Josh Groban, Herbert Grönemeyer, Johnny Hallyday, Julio Iglisias, Sir Elton John, Carole King, Dean Martin, Liza Minnelli, Nana Mouskouri, Laura Pausini, Édith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, and Sting.
The booklet of notes amounts mostly to journalistic gush, despite Sophie Fontanel's disavowal of such intentions; the comments would have been much more helpful if the circumstances and technicalities of the recording had been the primary focus of Fontanel's attentions. One buys this double CD for the music, their lyrics, and for the performances thereof, not for any written documentation that goes with it. So, buy this set! Enjoy!"
A Masterpiece.
Eduardo F. Angeles | CA, USA | 03/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a Charles Aznavour fan or if you just enjoy music, this is a must have. The vocals between Charles and Sting, Celine DIon, etc. are just amazing.
Enjoy!"
Merci, Monsieur Charles Aznavour...
Lydia Hoover | Miami, Floride USA | 04/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes...Merci, Monsieur Charles, for your great album "Duos". You are the best and I understand why you refuse to speak about retirement even at 84 years young. It is funny to listen to all those cosmopolitains artists singing here with Charles. Charles's presence encourage them to grow even more even when most of them are already giants themselves.
In "DUOS", Sting sounds just like a kid learning a foreign language. His determination to sing in french goes straight to the heart......Elton John...his exuberance personified...and Charles so discreet....opposite attract, right?...and then, Placido's voice is like the voice of Charles'soul.....Nana Mouskouri gives the melody such a tender treatment...With Johnny Hallyday, it's hard to tell who's who !!!.....
Celine Dion, Carole King and Liza Minelli: you can hear that they love him
Liza tells him: the proof is there...
Paul Anka: they could be brothers.....Edith Piaf (they were lovers in Paris in the early 1950s)...and with Julio, how daring to sing "How sad Venice is?"...but so beautiful....Sinatra and Charles are a terrific twosome...same thing with Dean Martin....
Merci, Charles...moi aussi, je t'aime...
Lydia Hoover (73 Years young) - French but living in Florida
lilihoover@msn.com"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1