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Not including compilations or live recordings, French singer/songwriter Francis Cabrel has released only 11 studio albums in his three-plus-decade career. This double-disc, 37-track best-of that covers his first three decades is not only representative of his finest work, but an essential showcase for it. The music, from his first hit single "Petite Marie" to the haunting "Je l'Aime à Mourir" and through to his slicker productions in the '80s such as "Said et Mohammed" and the funky blues of "Sarbacane," offers a portrait of the artist as restless and full of experimentation and attitude. The recordings from the '90s and the 21st century, far from reflecting the voice of a more settled songwriter, are more lyrically adventurous and musically precise, as Cabrel pared production back to reflect the organic nature of his writing. Selections such as "La Corrida," "Elle Dort," and "Vingo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón," a duet with Mercedes Sosa, reflect this shift. There are three live cuts included here, as well as a couple of soundtrack selections. In all, Essentiel 1977-2007 is a fitting representation of some of Cabrel's best work as well as an excellent introduction for those just encountering it.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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François Porterie, Recording Engineer - Paul Boussard, 2nd Engineer - Bernard Estardy, Recording Engineer - Jean-Michel Porterie, Recording Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Guy Matteoni, Orchestrator - S. Calver, Engineer - Jean-Jacques Souplet, Producer
(P) 1977 CBS Disques S.A.
François Porterie, Recording Engineer - Paul Boussard, Assistant Producer - Bernard Estardy, Recording Engineer - Jean-Michel Porterie, Recording Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Guy Matteoni, Orchestrator - S. Calver, Engineer - Jean-Jacques Souplet, Producer
(P) 1977 CBS Disques S.A.
Glen Spreen, Arranger - Glen Spreen, Keyboards - Bernard Estardy, Recording Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - P. Tison, Guitar - M. Chanteraux, Keyboards - M. Chanteraux, Percussion - Jean-Jacques Souplet, Producer - Pierre-Alain Dahan, Drums - C. Angel, Guitar - Yannick Top, Acoustic Bass
(P) 1979 CBS Disques S.A.
Glen Spreen, Arranger - Glen Spreen, Keyboards - Bernard Estardy, Recording Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - P. Tison, Guitar - M. Chanteraux, Keyboards - M. Chanteraux, Percussion - Jean-Jacques Souplet, Producer - Pierre-Alain Dahan, Drums - C. Angel, Guitar - Yannick Top, Acoustic Bass
(P) 1979 CBS Disques S.A.
Glen Spreen, Arranger - Glen Spreen, Keyboards - Bernard Estardy, Recording Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - P. Tison, Guitar - M. Chanteraux, Keyboards - M. Chanteraux, Percussion - Jean-Jacques Souplet, Producer - Pierre-Alain Dahan, Drums - C. Angel, Guitar - Yannick Top, Acoustic Bass
(P) 1979 CBS Disques S.A.
Guy Pons, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Michel Porterie, Recording Engineer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Richard Seff, Producer - Jeff Calver, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - Georges Augier de Moussac, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums
(P) 1980 CBS Disques S.A.
Guy Pons, Producer - Tony Sadler, Guitar - André Goerget, Arranger - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Jean-Michel Porterie, Recording Engineer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Richard Seff, Producer - Jeff Calver, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - Georges Augier de Moussac, Guitar - José Souc, Guitar - Patrice Tison, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums
(P) 1980 CBS Disques (France) S.A.
Guy Pons, Art Director - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Jean-Michel Porterie, Recording Engineer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Richard Seff, Art Director - Jeff Calver, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - Georges Augier de Moussac, Guitar - Loubet R., Arranger - Roger Secco, Drums
(P) 1980 CBS Disques S.A.
Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Georges Augier de Moussac, Acoustic Bass - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Pierre Bucolo, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jean-Pierre Bucolo, Electric Guitar - Patrick Bourgoin, Saxophone - Gérard Bikialo, Arranger - Gérard Bikialo, Conductor - Patrick Bourgouin, Saxophone - Georges Rodi, Programmer - G. Pons, Producer - Georges Augier de Moussac, Acoustic Bass - Roger Secco, Drums - René Lebahr, Electric Guitar - René Lebahr, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Malando Gassama, Percussion - Roger Secco, Drums - Roger Secco, Background Vocal
(P) 1981 CBS Disques S.A.
Guy Pons, Producer - Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Jean-Pierre Bucolo, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jean-Pierre Bucolo, Electric Guitar - Patrick Bourgoin, Saxophone - Gérard Bikialo, Conductor - Gérard Bikialo, Arranger - Patrick Bourgouin, Saxophone - Georges Rodi, Programmer - Georges Augier de Moussac, Acoustic Bass - Roger Secco, Drums - René Lebahr, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - René Lebahr, Electric Guitar - Malando Gassama, Percussion - Roger Secco, Background Vocal
(P) 1981 CBS Disques S.A.
Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Guy Pons, Producer - Luis Jardin, Bass - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Martine Cabrel, Background Vocal - Manu Guiot, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - François Porterie, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Background Vocal - Georges Augier de Moussac, Bass - René Lebhar, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums - Isaac Guilory, Acoustic Baritone Guitar
(P) 1983 Chandelle Productions
Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Guy Pons, Producer - Luis Jardin, Bass - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Martine Cabrel, Background Vocal - Manu Guiot, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - François Porterie, Background Vocal - Georges Augier de Moussac, Bass - René Lebhar, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums - Isaac Guilory, Acoustic Baritone Guitar
(P) 1983 Chandelle Productions
Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Guy Pons, Producer - Luis Jardin, Bass - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Martine Cabrel, Background Vocal - Manu Guiot, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - François Porterie, Background Vocal - Georges Augier de Moussac, Bass - René Lebhar, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums - Isaac Guilory, Acoustic Baritone Guitar
(P) 1983 Chandelle Productions
Jean-Yves Bikialo, Keyboards - Guy Pons, Producer - Luis Jardin, Bass - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Martine Cabrel, Background Vocal - Manu Guiot, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Mixing Engineer - François Porterie, Recording Engineer - François Porterie, Background Vocal - Georges Augier de Moussac, Bass - René Lebhar, Guitar - Roger Secco, Drums - Isaac Guilory, Acoustic Baritone Guitar
(P) 1983 Chandelle Productions
Guy Pons, Producer - Marc Chantereau, Percussion - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Mark Robinson, 2nd Engineer - Claude Salmieri, Drums - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Serge Pauchard, 2nd Engineer - Patrick Bourgouin, Saxophone - Bernard Paganotti, Acoustic Bass - Emmanuel Guiot, Recording Engineer - Eric Berdeaux, 2nd Engineer - Roger Secco, Composer
(P) 1985 Chandelle Prodcutions
Guy Pons, Producer - Marc Chantereau, Percussion - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Mark Robinson, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Claude Salmieri, Drums - Trévor Vallis, Mixing Engineer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Serge Pauchard, 2nd Engineer - Patrick Bourgouin, Saxophone - Bernard Paganotti, Acoustic Bass - Emmanuel Guiot, Recording Engineer - Eric Berdeaux, 2nd Engineer
(P) 1985 Chandelle Productions
Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Unknown, Producer
(P) 1986 Chandelle
Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Hans Barzilay, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Laurent Guéneau, 2nd Engineer - Manu Katché, Drums - Denis Benarrosch, Percussion - Michel Françoise, Guitar
(P) 1989 Chandelle Productions
Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Hans Barzilay, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Laurent Guéneau, 2nd Engineer - Manu Katché, Drums - Denis Benarrosch, Percussion - Richard Galliano, Acordeon - Richard Galliano, Bandoneon - Michel Françoise, Composer - Roger Secco, Lyricist
(P) 1989 Chandelle Productions
Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Hans Barzilay, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Adaptor - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - D. Miller, Composer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Jackson Browne, Lyricist - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Laurent Guéneau, 2nd Engineer - Denis Benarrosch, Percussion - Jean Pierre Bucolo, Background Vocal - Claude Salmiéri, Drums - Roger Secco, Background Vocal
(P) 1989 Chandelle Productions
DISC 2
Denis Bennarosh, Percussion - Denys Lable, Mandolin - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Electric Guitar - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Stephane Briat, 2nd Engineer - J.P. Buccolo, Composer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Acoustic Bass - Philippe Arnal, 2nd Engineer - Bertrand Taussac, 2nd Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer - Manu Katche, Drums - Michel Françoise, Acoustic Baritone Guitar
(P) 1994 Chandelle Productions
Denis Bennarosh, Percussion - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Electric Guitar - Nicolas Reyes, Performer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Stephane Briat, 2nd Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Acoustic Bass - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Philippe Arnal, 2nd Engineer - Bertrand Taussac, 2nd Engineer - Jean-Lou Descamps, Conductor - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer - Manu Katche, Drums
(P) 1994 Chandelle Productions
Chorale Des Petits Ecoliers Chantants De Bondy, Vocal - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Strings - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ludovic Lanen, Mixing Engineer - Gilbert Oget, Chorus Master
(P) 1994 Chandelle Productions
Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Gérard Bikialo, Strings - Bertrand Taussac, 2nd Engineer - Philippe Arnal, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Stephane Briat, 2nd Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1994 Chandelle Productions
Mickael Ohayon, Guitar - Denys Lable, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Jean-Paul Gonnod, 2nd Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Roger Secco, Drums
(P) 2000 Chandelle Productions
Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Mercedes Sosa, Performer - Fito Paez, Lyricist - Fito Paez, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Ludovic Lanen, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1997 Chandelle Productions
Sébastien Bramardi, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Yann Arnaud, 2nd Engineer - Yann Arnaud, Recording Engineer - Angie Cazaux-Berthias, Background Vocal - Manu Katché, Drums - Régis Dupré, Conductor - Catherine Juste, 2nd Engineer - Bertrand Lajudie, Arranger - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Ilan Masliah, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Antoine Jacquot, 2nd Engineer - Alcyon Musique, Mastering Engineer - Roger Secco, Background Vocal - Debbie Davis, Background Vocal - James Farber, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Grâce Brown, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Sébastien Girard, 2nd Engineer - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Denys Lable, Guitar - Christophe Marais, Recording Engineer - Ann Valvert, Background Vocal
(P) 1999 Chandelle Productions
Sébastien Bramardi, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Yann Arnaud, 2nd Engineer - Yann Arnaud, Recording Engineer - Angie Cazaux-Berthias, Background Vocal - Manu Katché, Drums - Régis Dupré, Conductor - Catherine Juste, 2nd Engineer - Bertrand Lajudie, Arranger - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Ilan Masliah, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Antoine Jacquot, 2nd Engineer - Alcyon Musique, Mastering Engineer - Roger Secco, Background Vocal - Debbie Davis, Background Vocal - James Farber, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Grâce Brown, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Sébastien Girard, 2nd Engineer - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Denys Lable, Guitar - Christophe Marais, Recording Engineer - Ann Valvert, Background Vocal
(P) 1999 Chandelle Productions
Sébastien Bramardi, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Yann Arnaud, 2nd Engineer - Yann Arnaud, Recording Engineer - Angie Cazaux-Berthias, Background Vocal - Manu Katché, Drums - Régis Dupré, Conductor - Catherine Juste, 2nd Engineer - Bertrand Lajudie, Arranger - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Ilan Masliah, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Antoine Jacquot, 2nd Engineer - Alcyon Musique, Mastering Engineer - Roger Secco, Background Vocal - Debbie Davis, Background Vocal - James Farber, Recording Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Grâce Brown, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Sébastien Girard, 2nd Engineer - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Denys Lable, Guitar - Christophe Marais, Recording Engineer - Ann Valvert, Background Vocal
(P) 1999 Chandelle Productions
G. Brassens, Composer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Claude Salmiéri, Drums - A. Pol, Lyricist - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Gaëlle Hervé, Background Vocal - MARIELLE HERVE, Guitar - Mickael Ohayon, Guitar - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Marielle Hervé, Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Anne Le Pape, Viola - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - Denys Lable, Guitar - Jean-Paul Gonnod, 2nd Engineer
(P) 2000 Chandelle Productions
Mickael Ohayon, Guitar - Denys Lable, Guitar - Anne Le Pape, Viola - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Marielle Hervé, Background Vocal - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Keyboards - Richard Desjardins, Composer - Richard Desjardins, Lyricist - Jean-Louis Roques, Acordeon - Jean-Paul Gonnod, 2nd Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - Gaëlle Hervé, Background Vocal - Claude Salmiéri, Drums
(P) 2000 Chandelle Productions
Pierrick Devin, 2nd Engineer - Anne Le Pape, Viola - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Vocal - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Piano - Gérard Bikialo, Arranger - Vincent Creusot, 2nd Engineer - Philippe Wojtowicz, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Denis Benarrosh, Drums - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - René Weiss, 2nd Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer - Isabelle Sajot, Acoustic Cello
(P) 2004 Chandelle Productions
Pierrick Devin, 2nd Engineer - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Vocal - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Piano - Vincent Creusot, 2nd Engineer - Philippe Wojtowicz, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - René Weiss, 2nd Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer - Dalila Laborde, Background Vocal - Myriam Kastner, Background Vocal - Claude Engel, Classical Guitar
(P) 2004 Chandelle Productions
Pierrick Devin, 2nd Engineer - Denys Lable, Electric Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Vocal - Francis Cabrel, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Lyricist - Fabienne Jacquet, Executive Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Producer - Gérard Bikialo, Piano - Gérard Bikialo, Arranger - Vincent Creusot, 2nd Engineer - Philippe Wojtowicz, 2nd Engineer - Ludovic Lanen, Recording Engineer - Bernard Paganotti, Bass - Denis Benarrosh, Percussion - Denis Benarrosh, Drums - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer - James Farber, Mixing Engineer - René Weiss, 2nd Engineer - Sébastien Bramardi, 2nd Engineer
(P) 2004 Chandelle Productions
Pierre-Dominique Burgaud, Lyricist - Louis Chédid, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Performer
(P) 2006 Editions Louis Chedid
Fred Rose, Lyricist - Fred Rose, Composer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Adaptor
(P) 2007 Chandelle Productions
Michel Françoise, Producer - Francis Cabrel, Performer - Francis Cabrel, Producer - Georges Brassens, Composer - Georges Brassens, Lyricist
(P) 2007 Chandelle Productions
Album review
Not including compilations or live recordings, French singer/songwriter Francis Cabrel has released only 11 studio albums in his three-plus-decade career. This double-disc, 37-track best-of that covers his first three decades is not only representative of his finest work, but an essential showcase for it. The music, from his first hit single "Petite Marie" to the haunting "Je l'Aime à Mourir" and through to his slicker productions in the '80s such as "Said et Mohammed" and the funky blues of "Sarbacane," offers a portrait of the artist as restless and full of experimentation and attitude. The recordings from the '90s and the 21st century, far from reflecting the voice of a more settled songwriter, are more lyrically adventurous and musically precise, as Cabrel pared production back to reflect the organic nature of his writing. Selections such as "La Corrida," "Elle Dort," and "Vingo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón," a duet with Mercedes Sosa, reflect this shift. There are three live cuts included here, as well as a couple of soundtrack selections. In all, Essentiel 1977-2007 is a fitting representation of some of Cabrel's best work as well as an excellent introduction for those just encountering it.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 37 track(s)
- Total length: 02:31:08
- Main artists: Francis Cabrel
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: World Europe French Music
(P) 2007 Chandelle Productions
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