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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art, Vocal Allure, and Stregth That Amaze the Listener Hearing a Singer-Songwriter at Such an Advanced Age!, 12 Jan 2009
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!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
RELEVANT TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT AZNAVOUR, 11 Jun 2009
This double-disc celebration of one of France's most respected and treasured entertainer/songwriter's really hits the spot with Aznavour's unique quiver and gravel vocal style stirred for dramatic impetus into duets with a veritable galaxy of illustrious stars from the world of opera and pop.
The songs on the first disc are almost all delivered in French with Piaf, Nana Mouskouri, Celine Dion, and Johnny Hallyday obviously at home with the lingo whereas the addition of Elton John, Sting, Paul Anka and others confirms a definite novelty effect. The included songs and singers mainly recur on the second disc in English, Spanish (Placido Domingo) German (Herbert Gronemeyer) or Italian (Laura Pausini), depending on the guest singers' nationality so there's also the opportunity to compare versions. Mention SHE, YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG, LA BOHEME and I DIDN'T SEE THE TIME GO BY and you get Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Josh Groban and Paul Anka respectively sharing their moments.
Liza Minnelli joins Aznavour for the touching QUIET LOVE which she has recently solo-featured on television whilst singer/songwriter Carole King effectively shows her strength via the heartbreaker THE SOUND OF YOUR NAME. Only Aznavour's duet with Sinatra (YOUNG AT HEART) and EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME shared with Dean Martin are songs not associated with the Frenchman.
Obviously such shared vocal diversity varies in execution but such an event must overshadow such considerations in this exceptional tribute to the eighty-four-year-old Gallic icon who towers above all those who gladly accepted the invitation to join this noble concept.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Master of chansons!, 16 April 2009
I love this CD!
Aznavour is still the Master of French chansons!
Singing duets with French artists is real class, and listening to Elton John singing in French is not bad either...
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