Charles Aznavour - 20 Chansons D'or (CD)

All Music Guide

Fans looking for an entrée to Charles Aznavour's daunting catalog will do well to pick up this 20track career summary. Reduced down from the twodisc 40 Chanson D'or collection, 20 Chansons focuses on Aznavour's Frenchlanguage material from the '60s and '70s (the singer also cut many records in English and a few in Italian). Shot full of his famously impassioned and slightly raspy vocals, the many highlights include a gypsytinged "Les Deux Guitares," the pop ballad "L'Amour C'Est Comme un Jour," and the Sinatra swinger "For Me, Formidable." There's even room for some psych pop ("Le Plaisirs Démodés") and mambo ("Le Comediens"). Most of all, though, the disc includes shining examples of Aznavour's superb chanson balladry. A very welcome addition to the sparse selection of worthwhile Aznavour retrospectives.

- Stephen Cook, All Music Guide