Eric Bentley Sings the Queen of 42nd Street and other songs by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma

Theater critic and playwright Eric Bentley (b. 1916) explores the poetry and music of French poet Jacques Prévert (1900–1977) and composer Joseph Kosma (1905–1969). Bentley groups the 20-plus songs into three categories: on childhood, love, and social issues. Perhaps Prévert’s and Kosma’s most popular composition was “The Dead Leaves” ("Les Feuilles Mortes"), known to American audiences as “Autumn Leaves.” Bentley sings Prévert’s original lyrics translated into English rather than the lyrics penned by Johnny Mercer. James Johnson accompanies Bentley on piano and organ. Bentley wrote the liner notes.

Track Listing

101	Intro	Eric Bentley	01:14
102	After School	Eric Bentley	02:26
103	Childhood	Eric Bentley	02:18
104	Song for the Children in Winter	Eric Bentley	01:01
105	Kids Who Love Each Other	Eric Bentley	01:32
106	Chanson	Eric Bentley	00:50
107	Barbara	Eric Bentley	03:12
108	The Garden	Eric Bentley	01:09
109	Paris at Night	Eric Bentley	00:38
110	Immense et Rouge	Eric Bentley	01:20
111	Cafe au Lait	Eric Bentley	01:20
112	Noises in the Night	Eric Bentley	02:41
113	Outro	Eric Bentley	01:13
201	Intro	Eric Bentley	01:08
202	This Love	Eric Bentley	04:54
203	The Dead Leaves	Eric Bentley	03:34
204	The Lighthouse Keeper Loves Birds Too Much	Eric Bentley	01:21
205	The War is Over (1945)	Eric Bentley	01:43
206	The Queen of 42nd Street	Eric Bentley	03:45
207	Paris in August	Eric Bentley	00:52
208	The Richest City in the World	Eric Bentley	03:48
209	Buddies in Bad Times	Eric Bentley	02:13
210	Outro	Eric Bentley	01:00