Live in Paris (1956-1961)

His talent for combining poetry and vaudeville with swing music made Charles Trenet one of the great icons of 20th century French chanson before the advent of "yé yé" popular music. This album brings together concert appearances recorded between 1956 and 1961, with most of them appearing here for the very first time. These are great moments of music and poetry from a wonderful entertainer (Trenet's nickname was le fou chantant, or "singing clown") performing his great classics for audiences, accompanied by some very tasty anecdotes. The Live in Paris collection by Michel Brillié allows listeners to hear previously-unreleased recordings (made at concerts and private- or radio-sessions) by the great 20th stars in jazz, rock & roll and song. These "live" takes, and the artists' rapport with their audiences, gives these performances an additional soul and sensibility in counterpoint to the rigorous demands of studio recordings. Particular care was taken when restoring the sound of these tapes in order to meet album standards while preserving the original colors of the period.