The Very Best of Edith Piaf [Capitol] (1987)

About this title: It would be impossible, in 15 songs, to fully encapsulate the woman who was Edith Piaf and what she meant to French music. Capitol's The Very Best of Edith Piaf in no way accomplishes this, but still, it's a noble attempt. The label itself, however, seemed to realize the 1987 album's shortcomings, as four years later Capitol issued the superior The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf, which contains the exact same 15 songs as this one (in the exact same order) and then tacks on the much-loved and needed "L'Accordéoniste" as well as "Avant Nous" and "La Goualante du Pauvre Jean." ... read more

Tracks:

1. La Vie, l'Amour [Chauvigny/Rivgauche]
2. La Vie en Rose [Louiguy/Piaf/David]
3. Milord [Monnot/Moustaki]
4. Comme Moi (Like Me) [Delecluse/Senlis/Mo]
5. Le Vieux Piano (The Old Piano) [Leveille/Contel]
6. Polichinelle (Punchinella) [Dumont/Plante]
7. Toujours Aimer (Always Loving) [Dumont/Raya]
8. L' Effet Que Tu Me Fais (The Effect You Have on Me) [Murray/Edmond]
9. Mon Manege a Moi [Glaznberg/Constanti]
10. Mon Dieu (My God) [Dumont/Vaucaire]
11. Hymne a l'Amour (If You Love Me, Really Love Me) [Monnot/Piaf/Parsons]
12. T'Es Beau, Tu Sais [Moustaki/Conlet]
13. Bravo pour le Clown! [Louiguy/Conlet]
14. C'est l'Amour (It's Love) [Piaf/Monnot]
15. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien [Dumont/Vaucaire]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.