Olivier Julien’s selection highlights the earlier recordings of French singer Barbara, whose voice, before she became known as “The Lady in Black”, was one of the greatest to be heard in such Left Bank cabarets as L’Ecluse. Barbara made this period a Golden Age, singing the works of Brassens, Brel and Moustaki (and indeed her own compositions) with a sense of humour, gravity and mystery. Her artistic sensibility and vocal technique led the art of French Chanson to its peak: the equal of Piaf, Barbara was the greatest lady in French song. Patrick FRÉMEAUX