(vocal jazz, chanson) [CD] Raquel Bitton - Raquel Bitton sings Edith Piaf - 1999, APE (image+.cue), lossless

French jazz singer and recording artist Raquel Bitton is recognized as the foremost singer of French Jazz music in America today and has been internationally reviewed as the greatest interpreter of the music from the Edith Piaf repertoire.
Raquel was Born in Marrakesh, Morocco. In 1970, as a teenager, Raquel and her family moved to San Francisco where she began her American career, focusing on the songs from the French l’Age d’Or.
She discovered her French repertoire by dusting off her father’s old records that he brought with him to America. Raquel was drawn to the passionate melodies and lyrics of the romantic period of the 1930’s and 40’s.
Raquel’s insatiable appetite for songs of the heart led her to the Edith Piaf songbook. Raquel became not only an expert historian on the life and songs of Edith Piaf, but also a renowned interpreter of her music, singularly able to capture the complete essence of one of the great vocalists of the 20th Century.
Raquel has performed her hit show, “Raquel Bitton sings Piaf- her story, her songs” to sold-out performances at notable concert halls across North America including Carnegie Hall 3x
“PIAF- her story, her songs” celebrates the extraordinary life of the legendary Piaf through her songs. A 20-piece orchestra backs Bitton’s one-woman tribute to the “little sparrow.”
Bitton’s unique, heartfelt renditions (sung in French) and her powerful delivery take her audience on an intensely moving and emotional journey.
In addition, Raquel performs several other elegant French-themed presentations including “Pops goes to Paris” (for symphony pops) “A Little Bit Of Paris” and now her newest show “Boleros” Where Passion Meets Romance to support her new French/Latin Jazz CD release “Boleros”.

Review by Joel Siegel -
Morocco-bred, San Francisco-based cabaret singer Raquel Bitton's fifth album features 16 songs drawn from the repertoire of the legendary French chanteuse, Edith Piaf. Backed by a 24-piece orchestra, Bitton performs a mixture of Piaf's signature pieces ("La Vie en Rose," "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien") and less familiar material, all sung in French with translations provided in the album notes. Despite the presence of pianist Larry Dunlap and trumpeter Allen Smith in the instrumental ensemble, the album contains little of interest for jazz audiences. Bitton captures Piaf's spirit in her thoughtful, heartfelt presentation of these songs and, judging from the jacket photos, even physically resembles "the little sparrow." No doubt this affinity for Piaf enlivens her well-received concerts devoted to the chanteuse's life and art. However, it makes little sense for CD buyers to purchase Bitton's replications when so many reissues of Piaf's own recordings are available.
Oscar Montagut from the World Music Report wrote:
- No other title for this album would have been better than Rhythm of the Heart. The French typical song is an invitation to recall love memoirs and feeling, and Raquel Bitton does it again with the name of this album and its 12 songs. Raquel Bitton keeps an elegant, sweet and warm style of the French singing interpretation but adds the syncopated and seductive sound of Latin rhythms. Her voice fits beautifully with the classic Latin beat which shows that she has total control of the rhythm and the music flows very naturally with her soft and velvety voice.
This album moves you to sing passionately and profoundly evokes feelings with the subtle clave beat of the bolero or danzón. Each song is a great excuse to explore your mind looking for beautiful pictures. “Tout Bleu” explains what I am talking about, it is the pure softness and poignant expression of singing, it is the switch that makes you start dreaming about your profound wishes, loves and feelings. Mrs. Bitton’s voice and her big orchestra take us to the place we have been dreaming about for quite some time, the place of our deepest feelings.
What a wonderful tribute she has paid to the chanson of the world. This production has an incredible balance, keeping a lush and sweet sound from the beginning to the end

Raquel Bitton Vocal
Greg Barnett Guitar (Acoustic)
AJeremy Cohen Violin
Larry Dunlap Piano
Jon Eriksen Harmonica, Vibraphone
John Gove Trombone
Eric Hansen Violin
Joseph Hébert Cello
Joseph Hérbert Cello
Bob Holloway Arranger, Orchestration, Producer
James Hurley Viola
Harold Jones Drums
Tony Kaye Guitar (Acoustic)
Charlie Keagle Clarinet, Flute, Sax (Alto)
Bill Keck Conductor
Bill Klingelhoffer French Horn
Ray Loeckle Sax (Baritone)
Melecio Magdaluyo Sax (Tenor), Saxophone
James Shallenberger Violin
Mario Suraci Bass
Rick Vandivier Guitar (Acoustic), Mandolin
John L. Worley, Jr. Trumpet
Jim Zimmerman Drums