Search - Lucienne Delyle :: Nuages

Une Voix Charmante!

04/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About a decade ago, or so it seems, I received as a gift an album entitled "Paris My Love" a compilation of chansons from the first half of the last century. Among the works performed by the likes of Chevalier, Piaf, Baker, Rossi and Mistinguett, there was "Mon Amant de Saint-Jean" by Lucienne Delyle, and that song was the one that absolutely broke my heart. The singer's voice was rich, earnest, and mellow and stood out from the sometimes bizarre (but endearing) falsettos on the rest of the album. It was only this year, however, that I rediscovered Ms. Delyle with this CD. Along with her signature "Mon Amant de Saint Jean", "L'Orgue Chantait Toujours" and "Sur Le Quais de Vieux Paris" simply make one feel as if you are on a boat floating down the Seine in pre-World War II France (although ironically, most of these songs are from the war era). Her stylistic range is superb and one gets the impression that she would be as comfortable singing jazz as she would quaint French standards. The "Le Meilleur De" CD is perhaps a better survey of her work (including such songs as the fun and upbeat "Jambalaya") but this album makes for a perfect, nostalgic, tea-time listening. Whether or not you know a word of French, one cannot help but be charmed by this delightful voice."