Personnel: Henri Crolla (guitar); Freddy Balta (accordion); Hubert Rostaing (clarinet); Bob Castella (piano).

Recording information: Paris, France (05/07/1948-05/09/1949).

Arranger: Bob Castella.

French pop singer Yves Montand was, along with Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevaliar, and Jacques Brel, one of the most beloved pop singers in France throughout the 1940s, `50s, and beyond. A PARIS 1948-49 captures Montand in the bloom of his early career, performing such classics as "Clopin-Clopan," "C'est Si Bon," and "Clementine," all with the poignant, bittersweet charm that was his trademark. Lovers of classic French singers will want to snatch this up, as it is a fine sampler not only of Montand's early sound, but of a vintage era of French pop as well.

Italian-born yet eternally French-identified singer and star of stage and screen Yves Montand was a consort and performing partner of Edith Piaf's who also appeared with Marilyn Monroe and Barbra Streisand. In 2007, Saga All Stars released a 16-track collection of recordings he made in 1948 and 1949. Decorated with a zoom-lens close-up of his accomplished mouth, this delightful album works well as an introduction to Montand's patented postwar persona. He was a debonair interpreter of popular song whose friendly delivery invited comparison with Charles Trenet. On these recordings, Montand sang with a quintet led by pianist Bob Castella. The other players were accordionist Freddy Balta, guitarist Henri Crolla, bassist Emmanuel Soudieux, and clarinetist Hubert Rostaing, a brilliant improviser who made his best records with Gypsy swing guitarist Django Reinhardt. ~ arwulf arwulf