Christine Bovill is a Glaswegian with a passion for the French Chansons, especially that of La Mome Piaf, The Little Sparrow, Edith Piaf. Bovill, as we learn from her one-woman cabaret performance at Sale's Waterside Theatre this evening, hated French at school, and it was only after listening to a record of Piaf that she was inspired to do well and learn as much as she could of both the language and the songs of this diminutive power-house's brief but colourful life and career.
With piano accompaniment (Simon Warren), we were taken on a musical journey of some of the more famous and some practically unknown songs owhich Piaf performed. We leaned a little about her life and career, and were able to listen to Bovill's superb renditions of these chansons. She did not look like nor act like Piaf - but then again, she never prentended even for a moment that she was anything or anybody othet than Bovill - but her vocals were uncannily like her. The guttral and gutsy sounds with which Piaf was so famous, as well as the colour and timbre of the voice was all there. Just closing my eyes and I was transported back to listening to live recordings of Piaf when I was much younger, for I too found inspiration in the French chansons, although for me, my passion was with Jacques Brel.
The revue simply scratched the surface though, and personally I would have liked a more in-depth analysis of Piaf and her work; but perhaps I am in the minority there! Bovill was personable, approachable, affable, humble and sincere, and her voice was pure Piaf.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 26.1.24
on - 26.1.24
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