martha wainwright sings piaf

Live album and DVD to be taped at two special shows

Brother Rufus got there first with his infamous Judy Garland tribute, but Martha Wainwright’s latest project sounds like it could be even better. Well known for trotting out a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf’s ‘Adieu Mon Cœur’ during her live sets, Martha will be going the whole hog by teaming up with composer Hal Willner for a two-night performance of some of the Little Sparrow’s lesser known treasures. New York is a little far for us to travel to a gig – even one as special as this – so it’s a good job that Martha has hired Faithless member Jamie Catto to direct the filming of the show for a future DVD release. He’ll also be projecting some visuals onto the walls of the venue.

In her own words: “me and some new york cats, are gearing up for a live record of edith piaf songs. i’m not talking ‘la vie en rose’ and ‘milord’, although they’re great, me and the boys are taking on some of the lesser known songs which are masterpieces in their own right. piaf has always been in my life thanks to my mom and rufus. i think it was rufus who played me mom’s records of piaf’s when we were kids. i must have been 8 or so and ever since then she has lived in a little apartment in my heart. a french apartment of course.”

Band members will include her husband Brad on bass, cellist Jane Scarpantoni, Thomas Barlett (aka Doveman) on piano, Max Moston on violin, and “a couple of other geniuses yet to be determined”. The shows are on June 14th and 15th at Dixon Place, NYC. Says Martha, “my job now is to try and learn the words. i don’t know if i can learn them all,there are so many, but i’m trying for half the songs. the words are mind bending and beautiful and i find myself in tears a lot of the time while reading them.” 

Alan Pedder

 

‘Adieu Mon Cœur’ [live]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtSbt_6VrsE]

‘Une Enfant’ [live]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWRIxQDxZfI]

Written by: Wears The Trousers magazine

Tags: alan pedder, edith piaf, martha wainwright

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