Edith Piaf

Édith Piaf – Récital 1961 captures Piaf at one of the most powerful moments of her late career.

Recorded live at the legendary Olympia in Paris, this album is raw, intense, and emotionally overwhelming—the way Piaf was meant to be heard. Backed by a discreet orchestra, her voice takes center stage: fragile yet commanding, worn by life yet filled with dramatic force.

The recital famously includes “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” the anthem that would become inseparable from her legend. But beyond that signature song, the performance is a masterclass in French chanson—each track delivered like a short theatrical scene, full of tension, heartbreak, pride, and resilience.

The original mono pressing with the purple Columbia label adds to its charm: warm, intimate sound, as if you’re seated a few rows from the stage. More than just a live album, Récital 1961 is a document of Piaf at her most iconic, defiant, vulnerable, unforgettable