Yves Montand

Although Italian-born French crooner Yves Montand was to have a long and distinguished acting career, his first devotion was to singing, and his smooth, high baritone voice was an amazingly nuanced instrument, capable of moving from a jaunty tone to a whispered fade in the blink of an eye. This set from nostalgia label Living Era collects 26 mono cuts recorded between 1947 and 1952 for Odeon Records in what was arguably Montand's finest period. Included are his best-known song, Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prévert's gorgeous "Les Feuilles Mortes" ("Autumn Leaves") and his classic upbeat version of Francis Lemarque's "A Paris," making this compilation a wonderful introduction to a truly artful vocalist. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide