Customer Reviews
Fabulous Aznavour and the translations - By: , 12 May 2005 
As I am lucky enough to have the 3 Aznavour english CDs this was culled from, I would like to echo alll the other reviews of the wonder that is Aznavour in english. I would just like to put in a word for the main translator of the words into such idiomaticallly correct english. The english lyrics are in the main the work of Herbert Kretzmer. He is now mainly known for the magnificent job he did on the english translation of Les Miserables, also lyrics for the Peter Sellers/Sophia Loren Goodness, Gracious Me comedy song. If you've a romantic bone in your body, this CD is for you.
The best of his English language music - By: Peter Durward Harris, 17 Jan 2004 Charles Aznavour was slow to achieve success even in his native France. Born in 1924, he was already in his thirties when he gained recognition. There have been many compilations of his French recordings & they are well worth a listen, but this set focuses on his English language recordings. One track (I didn't see the time go by) is from 1983 while the rest were recorded between 1971 & 1978. Charles never recorded covers – the song here titled Ave Maria is his own song, not the standard. He wrote alll his own material in French though he sought help in translating his songs into English. As he once said, songs are hard to translate if you still want them to rhyme in a different language.
Understandably, Charles never made the same impact in Britain & America that he did in France, but he was very popular for a few years in both countries, with hugely successful live concerts in both countries in the sixties. He had just two UK hits – The old fashioned way (1973) & She (1974), the latter going alll the way to number one. This was a rare achievement for a French record though Charles was not the first Frenchman to top the UK charts. Serge Gainsbourg did it in 1969 with Je T'aime moi non plus, a duet with English born but French based Jane Birkin that was only made available in the UK because it had been banned in France.
Although his UK hits are classic love songs, Charles sang about many other topics too. It will be my day is about an unsuccessful, obviously inspired by his own struggle for success. They fell is about Armenia, a country that Charles was deeply interested in. But it is the love songs that Charles is best remembered for. Apart from She & The old fashioned way, Yesterday when I was young is probably the best-known song on this collection, but The happy days, How sad Venice can be, No I could never forget, You've got to learn, I didn't see the time go by & Ave Maria are among the many other great songs here.
Charles showed the world that France is well capable of producing world-class singer-songwriters – this collection provides but a smalll sample of his artistry.
The Ultimate Crooner - By: , 10 Jan 2004 If you want class, Aznavour is it!
The variety & integrity of this compilation of songs is stunning, a must for every dinner party for the 40+s.
We alll know "She" - a worthy classic in anyone's book - but try "It Will Be My Day" for humour, "To My Daughter" for Nostalgia, & "Ave Maria" for strength.
The backing orchestra is superb, and, although admittedly not in the original French, the lyrics translate well.
All in alll a fabulous buy, & - just for fun - listen to track two "Yesterday, When I Was Young" with a good drink & a tear in your eye.
an absoulotly beautiful record - By: teamhussein@hotmail.com, 24 Sep 2001 this is a wonderfull album & charles aznavour is a genius. i borrowed it off my mother & it took my breath away. the emotion & his lyrics enchanted me."how sad venice can be" will bring tears to your eyes & every song is a work of art. i recommened this to anyone who appriciates great music
Pure listening pleasure, Charles Aznavour- the very best - By: katewardley@excite.co.uk, 07 Jan 2001 The words, the music, the memories these songs can invoke in almost anyone. Those who loved & lost, those who lost & loved again, those who loved & kept it. It's alll there & Charles's haunting voice can move you to tears. I think 'What makes a man a man' should be the anthem for Gay Liberation, the words will break your heart. My favourite is Happy Anniversary because I can imagine my husband thinking those words when we reached our twentyith. Wonderful.
