Various Artists - Soundtrack - La Vie En Rose

Genre soundtrack Publisher EMI Classics External Links Official La Vie en Rose Website Official EMI Classics Website

This soundtrack to an Edith Piaf biopic is broken down into three parts. The first part is made up of eleven original Edith Piaf recordings. The second section is nine instrumentals from Christopher Gunning's film soundtrack. The last segment features interpretations of the popular vocalist's songs. So if seeing this film has caused you to fall in love with the woman's music, its soundtrack is a fine introduction to her catalog.

Even so, if you don't remember much of your high school French, this might be a tough collection to get through. There is an English version of "La Vie En Rose," Piaf's most popular song. But the rest is, for the most part, sung in the Parisian language of love.

Ironically, this is an album of overly romantic love songs, even though Piaf's life was scarred by tragedies such as drug addiction. Some selections, like "Milord," are downright celebratory. Opener, "Heaven Have A Mercy," which is also one of the few English language selections, she dramatically performs with a large orchestra.

Having not yet seen the film, I was a little lost when listening to its soundtrack. Seeing the story unfold before me beforehand would have given this music proper context. And being an American that hasn't really heard Piaf's music before - only having heard about her - I just didn't get it. Hopefully, you're not like me and this CD will act as a soundtrack to your fond Piaf memories.