It should be noted at the start that La Vie en Rose 1935-1951 is not a compilation meant for serious collectors of Edith Piaf's work; there are no rarities, bonus materials. or extensive liner notes to be had. For casual fans or curious ones, however, the album is a simple, effective starting point. Many of Piaf's major hits are here, all in chronological order, allowing listeners a basic, if truncated, look at her evolution as a vocalist. The presentation is elegant but simple, with no attempt to sharpen or enhance the original recordings, and the result is a charming fuzziness and warmth that permeate all but the latest songs on the album. The contrast is somewhat stunning -- the clearer pieces from the 1950s make Piaf sound younger than those from the 1930s -- but both are beautiful, and the changeover isn't so drastic as to disrupt the album's continuity. If there's any real complaint to be had, it's in the lack of material on the artist herself. It would have been nice to have some background information available about Piaf's life, music, or legacy, and the lack of such things is a disservice to new fans. Still, for those looking for a quick "essentials" disc, this may be a good answer.
© Katherine Fulton /TiVo