Léo Ferré's album Léo Chante À L'Alhambra À L'ABC is a masterpiece of French chanson. The album, recorded live in 1961 at the Alhambra theater in Paris and the ABC theater in Toulouse, captures Ferré at the peak of his powers, delivering powerful and passionate performances of some of his most iconic songs.
From the haunting opening notes of "La Mémoire et la Mer" to the rousing finale of "Avec le Temps," Ferré's voice is a force to be reckoned with. His lyrics, which range from the poetic to the political, are delivered with a raw intensity that is both mesmerizing and unsettling.
Highlights of the album include the anthemic "Paris Canaille," the melancholic "Jolie Môme," and the scathing "Les Anarchistes." Ferré is accompanied by a talented group of musicians, including guitarist Barthélémy Rosso and accordionist Jean Corti, who provide a rich and varied musical backdrop for his songs.