This CD contains a nice collection of France Galle's songs of the 60's. I chose it because it has some of my favorite oldies including "Laisse tomber les filles", "N'ecoute pas les idoles", and "Nous ne sommes pas des anges". But with 23 songs on one CD, it is apt to include some so-so songs, too. I enjoy France Galle's uniquely girlish delicate voice and her happy youthful style that is quite melodious.

Actually, I have the 4-CD box set of which this is a selection. That's how much I like this stuff. Yeah, there are some real duds (eg "Sacre Charlemagne"), but they are easily redeemed by the rest. Creative, inventive 60's pop, perfect arrangements, and delivered in that little girl voice that some people just hate. Her pitch is a little off (noticeable because she uses no vibrato), but her sense of rhythm is impeccable. If this is 'ye-ye' music --and that's very debatable-- then it's time to rehabilitate that label. Okay, the Gainsbourg tunes are among the best, but what a shame not to look any further! (Interesting: not a single cover version here, in an era dominated by adaptations of the Anglo-American top ten.)

If your taste runs to infectious, throwaway French Lolita-Pop from the 60s this may be the very thing for you. At least half of the 23 tunes included are almost the epitome of pop music they're so naggingly catchy. If, on the other hand, you think music should be a matter of "artists" doing "work" that is "important" then the sheer bubbling joie de vivre on display might be hard to sit through. There's not a hint of gravitas; if anything the prime attitude is one of mocking exultation in ephemerality of all kinds.

Happily there may be a way for the sober-minded rocksnob to, if not enjoy, at least take seriously the music within. Serge Gainsbourg, noted "provocateur", was involved with eight of the tracks so we can be sure there's a deliciously "subversive" element at play underneath the mirth and inanity. And the fact that the singer herself was innocently unaware of the double-entendres she was mouthing will undoubtedly provide an added aesthetic frisson. If somehow the word "deconstruction" can be added to our list of attributes then the satisfaction of even the most carping rock critic will be complete!

But half-seriously I find it hard to see how any household can fruitfully exist without a copy of Gall's biggest hit, "Poupee de cire, pouppe de son". Or the marvellous jazz-waltzes, "Jazz a gogo" and "Pense a moi". True, there are a couple of cutesy-pie singalongs (Sacre Charlemagne" and "L'Amerique") that might prompt the unwary to retch but overall this is an excellent compilation of pop at its 60s peak.

The major drawback (that caused me to dock it a star) lies in the terrible mastering. Sound which should burst from the speakers is reduced to a dull, thick, muddy morass which comes close to ruining my enjoyment. This wasn't present on the original recordings: three of the tracks here are also on Gall's album, "1968", and on that they are as vividly presented as can be wished for. In fact, I'd recommend people interested in this singer to buy that CD first. It's a gem. Perhaps in the interim Polygram will give this one the needed remaster.

This is a great CD by France Gall with 23 songs of the yé-yé era. Though France Gall did not get the international exposure as did Françoise Hardy or Sylvie Vartan, she performed many fine songs. Serge Ganisbourg wrote several of her best, including "Les succettes," "Baby Pop," and "Poupée de cire, poupée de son," which are included on it. Other ones to look for are "Sacre Charlemagne," "N'éoute pas les idoles," "Bébé requin," ond others. Additional ones that are exceptional are "Avant la bagarre" and "Ne sois pas si bête." France Gall offers a wise range of styles in this compilation. While the selections are uneven as to quality, there's a lot that's really good. The songs are happy, varied, satisfying, and very good as evocative of the 1960's French music. In general, that music was much better than its detractors painted it. Especially the amusing Sacré Charlemagne: surely the best expression of children everywhere to the dubious experience of attending school.

Even if you don't understand French, this CD by France Gall is worth getting and listening to! Just listening to it lightens my mood, even while I'm doing busy work.

Melodies are just beautiful. Voice is exquisite. Everything is "typically french" here. France's father was Robert Gall, a composer whose "La Mama" song for Charles Aznavour became one of the greatest hits of the century in France.