Gallic Greatness
N. Redman | 07/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"
It's been a long time coming, but a comprehensive overview of the extraordinary music of Michel Legrand has finally appeared. A super 4-disc set from Universal Jazz via the capable hands of producer Stephane Larouge, does some considerable justice to Legrand's prolific output, and hearing all these great tunes and flights-of-fancy back-to-back renews one's admiration for a composer who is simply genius personified. There's not much point in listing all the hits but everything bar the kitchen sink is included, from 'Lola' to 'La Bicyclette Bleue.' Those of us who've been enchanted by Legrand's infectious melodies over the years cannot help but be enthralled by such a bounteous bag of baubles, and Larouge's track selection encompasses the well-known, the not-so-known, and the (frankly) unknown, even for those aficianados who thought they knew it all. Wherever possible the original recordings have been used, and in some (disappointing) cases, re-recordings. Presumably rights issues, or lack of element availability denied access to my own favorite, 'The Go-Between,' for example, which is represented by the composer's concert version that appeared almost a decade after the film. These are minor quibbles, and shouldn't for a second dissuade anyone even remotely touched by the wealth of musical beauty in Legrand's canon from immediately clicking on their "add to basket" icon. Quite simply you are in for a five hour listening experience that encompasses some of the best music to come out of France in the twentieth century."
What A Treasure!!!
D. I. Ronk | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Legrand Collection gets a 5 star rating from me. The music selection is comprehensive and the technical quality of the recordings is excellent all things considered. There are a number of tunes I wish had been included, but aren't ... such as additional songs from the Umbrellas of Cherbourg (besides the main theme), the love theme from "the Mountain Men and a number of others. The price of the collection is worth Norma Jean's Theme, Happy (Lady Sings The Blues), Noelle's Theme, and The Love Theme from Gable and Lombard (and there are more). There are a few things worthy of criticism in this collection, but I won't bother because if you like Legrand's music, as I do, I'm sure you'll overlook them as I have."
Film Music par excellance!
Steven Cleere | San Francisco | 09/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a fan of French cinema or movie music in general, this box set is a must. Legrand has done it all --muscials, drama, love stories and it's all here with the best of the best on four great discs."
Track Listings (90) - Disc #1