The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf (CD - 1991)

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Also available as 2 individual CDs.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

A very strong best-of collection, VOICE OF THE SPARROW's title is a reference to Edith Piaf's widely used moniker "the Little Sparrow." And it's an apt moniker at that: Piaf was petite, and--in a life filled with tragedy--seemingly vulnerable, yet her song was strong and assured, transcending nations and time. With her heavy vibrato, pure tone, and emotionally intense delivery, Piaf would influence nearly every French chansonnier who followed in her wake

The lack of liner notes is this compilation's only drawback: a figure of Piaf's stature deserves the proper historical and artistic context. Yet it's hard to argue with the selection of songs here, which includes classics like "La Vie, L'Amour," "Milord," and "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rein." Piaf's passionate performances are stirring and, at times, wrenching; one listen through VOICE OF THE SPARROW will confirm the great importance given to this legendary singer's art.

Capitol's The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf offers 18 selections from the Edith Piaf songbook, in nearly every case the best version of the song -- whether performed during the '30s, '40s, or '50s. Many of her best songs are here, from her signature songs -- "La Vie en Rose" and "L'Accordéoniste" -- to "Hymne A l'Amour" and "Non, Je Regrette Rien." True, the collection concentrates overly on her latter-day sides (the playful, cabaret "Le Vieux Piano" and "Polichinelle," among others) to the detriment of her wondrous '30s recordings, and also displays its 1991 vintage (no liner notes or recording information, and an overly smoothed-out sound). Still, The Voice of the Sparrow is certainly the Edith Piaf introduction that's easiest to find. ~ John Bush

It would be impossible, in 15 songs, to fully encapsulate the woman who was Edith Piaf and what she meant to French music. Capitol's The Very Best of Edith Piaf in no way accomplishes this, but still, it's a noble attempt. The label itself, however, seemed to realize the 1987 album's shortcomings, as four years later Capitol issued the superior The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf, which contains the exact same 15 songs as this one (in the exact same order) and then tacks on the much-loved and needed "L'Accordéoniste" as well as "Avant Nous" and "La Goualante du Pauvre Jean." In fact, because of those additions, and everything else being equal, the 1991 compilation is a much better choice. Both albums do put more focus on the latter part of her career (there's no "Mon Legionnaire," for example), but they're good, albeit incomplete, overviews of what Piaf gave listeners everywhere. ~ Marisa Brown minimize