French singer-songwriter left a wonderful legacy
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 05/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gilbert Becaud began his career in the early fifties and was still having big hits occasionally in the eighties in his native France. This 20-track compilation scarcely does justice to him, but it includes all the essentials and will suffice for most people. In France, there is also a 37-track double CD (Encore plus de Becaud) with identical front cover artwork, containing all the songs included here plus 17 others, for those that want to dig a little deeper. Among the extra tracks on that collection is Mustapha Dupont, a controversial song about immigrants.
The tracks here include the two songs that Gilbert is most famous for internationally - Et maintenant (translated into English as What now my love) and Je t'appartiens, which became a huge international hit for the Everly Brothers after it was translated into English as Let it be me.
Seul sur son etoile, translated into English as It must be him, became a huge international hit for Vikki Carr. Another song that was a success following translation is Le jour ou la pluie viendra, recorded by Jane Morgan as The day the rains came - it became a British number one hit for her.
In the sixties, Gilbert had many hits in his homeland. Among those included here are Dimanche a Orly (about his constant touring), Nathalie (one of his most famous songs in France), C'est en Septembre, L'important c'est la rose and Quand il est mort le poet.
Success in the seventies and eighties was less consistent although Gilbert remained popular with songs such as Solitude ca n'existe pas, L'indifference and Desiree.
If you have even a little interest in French music of the sixties, you ought to have at least one Gilbert Becaud album. If you just want a single CD, this is as good as you are likely to find but if you are serious about his music, look for a more comprehensive compilation."
Gilbert Becaud 100 Chansons d'Or
Alex Zummers | Houston,Texas; USA | 11/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Becaud, started as a piano player for Edith Piaf; she encouraged him to sing and he did. He was surnamed " Mr. 100 Volts " as he displayed such energy both in the studio and his live shows was written : He pulverizes his audience, he did back flips in the piano once one breaking and hurting audience, but nothing serious.
These 100 songs although essential omit much of his magic; and worst all the songs are jointed in a medley sort of recording. As a personal friend of Mr. Becaud I regret Gaya Becaud his oldest son did the 100 chansons this way. But a decent starting point.
A better starting point to the casual fan is " L'Essentiel" in one or 2 CD collection.
He collaborated with Neil Diamond off and on since " The Jazz Singer " ex. "September Morn " is a collaboration but to me trained ears is all Becaud in music content; his usual humbleness
shows through.
Gilbert was such a phenomenon in music history whose importance has never been credited. Example in 1956 a certain Jerry Lee Lewis is present at one of his live shows; coincidnence the next time Jerry Lee Lewis performs live he flip flops on the piano etc...
Gilbert was jazz-rocking the world before rock existed.
Around May 1968 his friendship with De Gaulle was mistaken for solidarity and the media catalogued him unjustly of "right winged radical" and this media sank him in the radiowaves. Yet often in the 70's and 80's his records were of such quality that became million seller hits all over the world.
Anyone contemplating a Becaud purchase can gladly contact me personally for advise. I stand firm by all contained herein . Alex Zambra at zambraalex@yahoo.com or zambraalex@aol.com."
Just discovered Gilbert Becaud!
A. J. Milo | Anaheim CA USA | 07/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently went to see the French film entitled "Roman de Gare." It was an excellent film! I strongly recommend it. Throughout the film they kept playing background music with a man's voice. I had to watch the credits at the end of the film to learn that it was Gilbert Becaud. I'd never heard of him. I made a mental note that I had to order the soundtrack to the film. Since all I wanted was songs by Becaud and not instrumental background music, I bought this CD instead. I was not disappointed. I've been playing it over and over again. I plan to travel to France in September. This CD will certainly get me in the mood, especially the French version of "September Morn!" Once I get to France, I plan to buy a few more Becaud CDs to bring back with me."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
