Infiniment [Colored Vinyl]

As of the fall of 2004, the only significant title in print in the U.S. was ' 16-track 1988 compilation (although, of course, many imports were available to Americans through mail order). That suggested the time was right to bring out a new collection, and has licensed the 40-track, two-CD 2003 album ("Infinitely") for domestic release. In France, and among aficionados, it is the subject of some controversy because of the inclusion of five previously unreleased songs -- and The five were recorded at the sessions for 's final album, , in September/October 1977, but not included on it. of was once quoted as saying of them, " didn't want them to come out and so they won't be released." Yet, here they are, with an ambiguous disclaimer by 's musical collaborators : "The following titles ('With Elegance,' 'Without Emergencies,' & 'Love Is Dead') are unfinished songs which and we, ourselves, would like to do over. The reason for which has not been divulged." It may be that they mention only those three of the five tracks because the musical backing for them is particularly sparse, usually only a keyboard instrument or two far in the background. For the average American listener who knows from and the musical revue , however, the effect of the inclusion of the unreleased songs may have more to do with sequencing than content. The new material is right up front on the first disc, just after 's version of (aka ), and the effect is to reverse the usual running order of a compilation, beginning with the artist's later material, when his singing is deeper and more mannered, rather than his earlier recordings. Also, it means that an American won't hear a familiar melody until the 12th track of CD one when (translated here as "When We Have Only Love," but more commonly known as ), one of 's biggest hits, begins. After that, as 's liner notes put it, the rest of CD one and all of CD two "are a creme de la creme 'best of' covering the span of his career." has helpfully provided literal translations of the French lyrics, which non-French-speaking Americans familiar only with the / adaptations will find illuminating, since they demonstrate that those English lyrics range from accurate equivalents of 's meaning to fairly broad revisions. Of course, 's own interpretations of his songs remain definitive, and in these sonically improved recordings he comes across with all his dramatic, compelling power intact. ~ William Ruhlmann