Search - Gisele Mackenzie :: Canada's First Lady of Song

Gisele Resurrected!

Mike | Los Angeles | 06/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has an eclectic mix of quite a few of Gisele's early songs. The cover picture (not shown on Amazon as I am writing this) has a very pretty picture of Gisele against a beautiful Canadian lake. There are some early French favorites such as "J'Attendrai" and "Le Fiacre." Somehow these sound prettier on this recording than on other versions I've heard. It has given me a new appreciation of these French songs. Also included are SEVERAL songs that I was unaware that Gisele had recorded. Among them are "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart," "How Blue The Night," "Let's Take The Long Way Home" (a lovely sentimental song with beautiful lyrics), and "I Could Write A Book." There are some of the previously released duets with Helen O'Connell and Gordon MacRae (also sounding better than other versions I've heard), and some of Gisele's early overlooked singles, such as "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes" and the stunning "Embrasse." There are about 30 songs altogether. It seems that there has been some restoration of the sound quality. Most of the songs have a crystal clear quality that makes them seem new. So they're in mono. Who cares. Almost all of them sound GREAT. Gisele's velvety, resonant voice comes through clear and strong. The people in England who have put together this CD have done an exceptionally good job of selecting the songs and in the audio restoration process. The liner notes by Greg Gormick give a lovely and accurate summary of Gisele's life and career. If you have never heard Gisele sing, or you are a longtime fan, or you are just curious, I very highly recommend this CD. Gisele's lustrous voice has truly been given new life in this recording! Mike in L.A."