1. Swing Troubadour
(3:39)
(Charles
Trenet, Leon Chauliac; English translation by Christine Albert)
Charles Trenet was a prolific French music icon
known for his eccentric and spirited songs, and a true “singer/songwriter”
who only performed his own songs - which was unusual for his time.
2. I Shouldn't Care /
J'M'En Fous Pas Mal (2:38)
(Michel Emer;
English lyrics Rick French)
I love the slinkiness of this song and it was a
perfect fit for our 110 year old grand piano.
3. When You’re Away /
Quand T’es Ailleurs (3:33)
(Michael Austin, Roy Eisenstein; French translation by Christine Albert)
Our friend Michael Austin’s song has always had
the beauty and vibe of a French song and holds its own next to Piaf and
Trenet. (Special thanks to David Gershater for kick starting the
translation process.)
4. The French Song (3:27)
(Harry Pease, Larry Vincent)
Recorded in 1963 by Canadian artist Lucille
Starr with Herb Alpert in the producer’s chair, this was a surprise
international hit. I couldn’t resist its mountain chanson charm.
5. Chante-Moi (3:50)
(Edith
Piaf; English lyrics Mack David)
Although I just recently discovered this
Edith Piaf song, I know it will stay with me for a lifetime.
6. L'air de la Louisiane (3:18)
(Jesse
Winchester; English translation by Christine Albert)
Post-Katrina, Jesse Winchester’s song has
an even more profound beauty.
7. Don't Cry /
C'est D'la
Faute À Tes Yeux (3:16)
(Edith Piaf, R. Chauvigny; English lyrics Eddie Constantine)
Piaf recorded the English version of this in
New York on December 1, 1950. I can imagine her blowing away those
American musicians in the studio that day.
8. French Waltz (3:24)
(Adam Mitchell)
I heard this in the 70’s on Nicolette
Larson’s first album and it felt like “my” song. I pictured my French
grandmother sitting at her window in Paris, waiting for me to visit
(which I eventually did, many times).
9. Un Prince en Avignon (3:00)
(F.
Thomas, J.M. Rivat, J.P. Bourtayre)
A friend in Austin gave me a live recording of
Walter Hyatt singing this with Uncle Walt’s Band at Waterloo Ice House
in Austin in 1980. Walter moves through my heart every time I sing it.
10. Y’a de la Joie
(2:50)
(Charles
Trenet; English translation by Christine Albert)
Trenet’s lyrics contain images verging on
psychedelic as he sings about joy in the face of life’s harsh realities.
Writing the translation for his one-of-a-kind song was a joyful
challenge.
11. Hymne a l'amour /
Hymn To Love (4:31)
(Edith Piaf, Marguerite Monnot; English lyrics Eddie Constantine)
This is more than a song to me, it is a prayer. Edith
Piaf wrote it after her lover perished in a plane crash, transforming
her grief into a masterpiece.