Search - Mireille Mathieu :: Das Beste Aus Den Jahren 1970-78

Exceptional German language CD.

P. R. Price | Dayton, Ohio | 09/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title of this CD is accurate. "Das beste aus den jahren 1970-78" (The Best of Years 1970-78) is an apt description for this album. It contains 18 German songs which Mireille Matheiu recorded during the period stated. As usual, Ms. Mathieu sings the songs wonderfully, is supported by good to great musical arrangements, and is supported by good to great supporting singers and musicians. Additionally, the songs are exceptionally diverse. "Die kinder von Montparnasse" (The Children of Montparnasse) sounds delightfully French, even though the words are in German. Alternatively, "Merci Antonio" and "Drei Matrosen aus Marseilles" (Three Sailors from Marsailles) sound very German. "Merci Antonio" is a high-spirited polka. To add more diversity, "Die Spatzen von Paris" (The Sparrows of Paris) is heavily spiced with Dixieland music, as well as a famous German hunting call. You want a waltz? "Die weisse rose" (The White Rose) is a waltz. You want a song that sounds like early rock from Connie Francis or the McGuire Sisters? "Wann Kommst du Wieder" fills that request. You want love songs? This CD has them in all varieties. "Sie oder Ich" (Her or Me) for the love triangle. "Wenn es weh tut, ist es liebe" (When it Causes Pain, It is Love) for the downside of love. "Die tage die leibe" (The Day of Love) and "Regen ist Schon" (Rain is Beautiful) for the romantic side of love. "Au revoir mon amour" (Goodbye my Love) for the painful partings. You want a powerful anthem? "Feuer, wasser, luft und erde" (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth) fulfills your want. How about German reframings of her French hits? "Korsica" (Corsica) and "Alle kinder deiser erde" (All the Children of the Earth) use the music of two of her French hits. What then is left? Well, "Mon pere" is a sentimental song dedicated to her deceased father. Then, there is my favorite song on the album. "Winter im Canada" is wonderful. It is a throwback to those exceptional winter songs made famous by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and the other great singers of the 1940-50s. I wish it were translated into English. It would be wonderful in about any language. If it isn't Mireille's best German song, then it is very close to the best. Overall, an exceptional German CD.

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