Martha: A Pretty Spectacular Piaf Concert... Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, A Paris

Copyright: Martha Wainwright

I'm certainly not a Piaf afficionado... but this is a pretty remarkable concert to catch a glimpse of.  Stumbling across the film a few weeks back, I was completely consumed by the atmosphere apparent in this extraordinarily brave, tangibly warm and tactile experience of Edith Piaf's musical history.

Martha Wainwright is demonstrably elegant in her rendition of Piaf's songs, and though there is a slight sense of nervousness at the enormity of the task at hand  - her delicate and intelligent carriage of these extraordinary songs, amidst the guttural rumble of the music, is indisputable.

Wainwright captures in a well-managed, but careful manner, the qualities of the songs - their implied thematic emblems, sadness and equally, occasional joyfulness. A good reference to this - the stomping, reverential "Non, La Vie, N'est Pas Triste", alongside the beatific, melodic "Marie Troitroir" and "C'est a Hambourg".

It's also quite wonderful for music nerds to behold Garth Hudson of the Band making an appearance,  for "Hudsonia", as well as Martha's mother, the late Kate McGarrigle [a voice I grew up with thanks to my Mum's love of the McGarrigle sisters] providing support vocally and musically.


"Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, A Paris" is something you should get lost in - because you can.  Amidst rolling piano, smokey vocals, string section and gutter-y guitar, there is a wonderful gift to immerse yourself in. Enjoy.