The Essential Spirit of Piaf
In August 2005, I was Musical Director and Pianist for a production of Pam Gems' evocative play Piaf at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, presented by Troika Productions. This was followed by a tour of the UK Midlands with the same cast. The play shows the dramatic ups and downs of the colourful life of Edith PIaf, one of the twentieth century's most enduring vocal artists, with an array of her heart-rending art songs.
Due to the popularity of the stage production, a new revue show called The Spirit of Piaf was created using monologues, dance, mime and of course many of Piaf's songs.
A selection of the songs has now been released on a CD called The Essential Spirit of Piaf, featuring performers from the stage production - Margaret Griffiths (vocal), Stephen Powell (piano), Richard Adey and Tracey Burton (accordion), Ross Simpson and Liam Redican (backing vocal). The tracks are as follows:
- Les Feuilles Mortes
- La Vie En Rose
- La Foule
- Les Amants d'un Jour
- La Belle Histoire d'Amour
- Les Trois Cloches
- Bravo Pour Le Clown!
- Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
- Milord
- L'Hymne à L'Amour
- Mon Dieu!