"Coup De Chapeau Au Passé" by Dalida (1976)

"J'attendrai" is often cited as the first ever French disco hit - it certainly caught the zeitgeist of the times, as everybody from Donna Summer to Esther Phillips had huge success with new, uptempo versions of old classics and it brought veteran Dalida into new heights of popularity, with a song that will forever be associated with her. Which is no small feat for somebody who was in the business for already two decades. Unfortunately it gave her career a certain direction which in hindsight seems too obvious - this album is perfect example of calculating attempt to duplicate "J'attendrai" with another selection of discofied classics from bygone era.

As much as I love Dalida, I must admit that she was always kind of artist who jumped on bandwagon, rather than setting individual path - from the start, her catalogue always depended on covers, be it "O Sole Mio" or "Itsy beetsy Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini", if it charted, you'll bet she will cover it. The only exception being early 1970s, where she introduced some really interesting homegrown material, but with "J'attendrai"  everything went orchestrated disco, with strings and kitchen sink. Mind you, "J'attendrai" is great classic where everything worked in her favour and I still love it, but the whole album of kitsch quasi-disco is a bit too much, unless you are serious fan of 1970s camp. "Les feuilles mortes", "Parle-moi d'amour, mon amour", and "La mer" are certainly pleasant but tend to melt into background, while the worst offender is the song every street and lounge musician already overplayed to death, "Besame mucho" - its something that you'll pay street musicians just to go away from your table - perhaps only piece of music I intensely dislike. Unfortunately it turned into another smash hit and lady happily continued with her glossy & glitzy variété shows, breaking the records and whatnot, perhaps staying in the business is the end to all aspirations - to me it seems like artistic cul-de-sac. It is definitely pleasant, but ultimately bland 1970s product, though her voice is beautiful as ever - "Que reste-t-il de nos amours" (also known as "I Wish You Love") is haunting, thankfully slowed down to ballad.