Search - Yves Montand :: Unreleased Rare & Essential

Something new from Montand

Merilahti Kristiina | Finland | 09/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd came to me weeks ago from Thelma, who was the editor and did a wonderful work as usual. She will never be satisfied with just advertising the cd, again she included a short translation of each song, a line or two to let non-French speaking public to know what the song is about. Many thanks for that to Thelma.



I already have a good collection of Yves Montand, but this cd is exceptional, because it includes some previously unheard live recordings - very good quality - and two Italian songs that haven't been available in cd's. "Bella ciao" - the partisan song - and "Amor dammi quel fazzolettino", both catchy tunes. The latter one suddenly made me realize what Montand reminded me of: Dean Martin, whose voice also seemed to have that easy, happy tone. But sorry Americans, Montand was more skilful, he carried his voice from low tones to flute-like high ones as if it was the easiest thing in the world and that relaxed feeling disguised the fact that he was very sharp and precise when it came to rhythm and melody. I keep listening to "L'addition" with its jazzy and not at all easy arrangement and Montand singing so easily up to the point where he sings that wonderful, high "Égale" so freely. The more I know about singing the more I appreciate Montand, though Jacques Brel is still my idol.



You have here some of Montand's best, like "Barbara", a song so important for him and lots of French people, that sometimes he had to stop singing in the middle of it because it made him cry. "Barbara" tells about the sorrows and pains of second world war to French people. And there are the rare ones, as I mentioned. Some most famous ones are missing, such as "Les feuilles mortes" but if you have any Montand collection, you have that song anyway, don't you? If you don't have "Est-ce ainsi que les hommes vivent?", you need this, that song is worth it. And so is "Bella ciao", which isn't on other cd's - as far as I know."

YVES MONTAND AT HIS VERY BEST

Daniel Remy | USA | 08/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yves Montand is a unique singer in France very similar to our Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett in the USA. He sings and laughs with a French voice and heart. BRAVO!



Frenchy"