We couldn’t just stick to the book Edith Piaf, the unknown icon. Catalogue of the work 1935-2023researched, compiled, written by the accordionist-pianist-performer Steve Normandin and his young sidekick László Pusztai: conferences followed, accompanied by demonstrations. This vast repertoire had to be heard, in the present. This 33 rpm serves as a trigger. Normandin provides avenues for further study. A human guide, in other words. Between the street kid, that ofA young man was singing (1937) and the Piaf of the glory that kills, that of Was it necessary? ? (1962), what happened? Skillfully and modestly, the researcher-musician offers some markers. Laughing and suffering, these are the keys to Edith. We can better measure, from forgotten to immortal, the path traveled. The chosen songs speak to each other, respond to each other, open up to exegesis without heaviness. In Normandin, there is an understanding of the interior, a lightness in the timbre that allows happy access to the soul. In a word: depth. From the first printing, a few copies will find their destination at the Carrefour mondial de l’accordéon in Montmagny, which is taking place this weekend.
Click here to see an excerpt.
To see in video