In one word to describe this album: charm. There is something about Michel Legrand that rings out all the ugly emotion within me and turn it all into pure bliss. Hearing his music throughout the years just makes me happy. I love his soundtrack work (especially with the legendary Jacques Demy), pop songs, elevator music, and his jazz playing with such as Miles Davis. Even his vocals are fantastic, and the album he did with Jack Jones, superb!
The beauty of Michel Legrand is that he masters all sorts of music, yet, he remains French sounding. Even his recordings with American Be-Bop legendary greats sounds like a French man playing with the dudes from New York City - and yet, it's incredible. And then on top of that, he did a whole album of just him playing on the piano, Erik Satie music. What is there not to like about him? Here he teams up with another French pianist/musician Emil Stern. There are 20 songs on this album that goes by quickly and incredibly enjoyable. Backed by a stand-up bass and drums, this is a dynamic adventure into the Left as well as the Right Bank of Paris culture. There are songs by Gilbert Becaud, and oddly enough Eddie Constantine, who was the leading actor in Godard's "Alphaville." He was an American who somehow got himself in France and became a massive European star. I knew he sang (they all do you know) but he also wrote two pieces on this album. There's also a pair of Cole Porter songs -of course, dealing with Pariee.
As mentioned, like all of Legrand's work, there is a charm to its music or performance. It's not a sickly cute charm, but one of great character and Legrand strikes me as a professional and artist who always gives his best. So yeah, in essence, this is music to have a drink to before dinner. The only darkness on this album is the color of the vinyl. A great find for me at Rockaway Records a few years ago. Researching this record, it came from South Africa, but not sure of its release date. I guess that the release date is in the early 50s before Legrand really got huge. His dad was a very successful orchestrational leader, and his sister, Christiane Legrand is a God-given talent as a singer. A great family that's full of beautiful music. I'm happy.
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