Marianne Faithfull Marianne Faithfull: The Montreux Years 180g 2LP

The magnificent and incomparable Marianne Faithfull has performed five legendary concerts at the Montreux Jazz Festival between 1995 and 2009. Each of these historic concerts were recorded. Marianne Faithfull's name is synonymous with the authenticity, artistry and individuality of the festival and this collection is a celebration of her unique talent. The Montreux Years collection will bring together, for the first time, some of the finest moments from Marianne's most celebrated performances.

Expertly curated by the Montreux Jazz Festival and BMG, restored and remastered in superlative HD audio; The Montreux Years is released on superior audiophile heavy weight vinyl.

Montreux Media Ventures (MMV) in partnership with BMG are working together to produce and release a premium series of albums and activities, curated from the unique Montreux Jazz festival archive; one of the finest music collections in the world. As part of this exciting new joint venture MMV and BMG have commenced work to establish a new series of deluxe artist collections under the new official Montreux Jazz records imprint. These initial collections; The Montreux Years will bring together the most iconic performances from the most significant artists to perform in the festival's impressive five decade history. The collaboration is an unprecedented curation project. The most extensive exploration of the official archive in the festival's history.

Expertly curated by the MJF and BMG teams and overseen by Claude Nobs' partner and president of the Claude Nobs foundation, Thierry Amsallem, who will act as executive producer across the series. The Montreux Years series is a celebration of Claude's love of the artists and passion for the festival and are a fitting tribute to his legacy. The BMG and Montreux Jazz music festival design teams will work in partnership to produce new and authentic creative, faithful to the festival's reputation for iconic artwork.

From the start of her dynamic career, Marianne Faithfull established herself as one of the premier interpreters of other people's material. Her originals are as strong as anything, but it is a blast to hear her apply that withering purr of a voice to material by Neko Case, Van Morrison or Duke Ellington. This two-LP compilation of performances captured during Faithfull's many appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival puts her skills on full display. Backed by a solid crew of musicians, led by the great Barry Reynolds, she gives an acidic tinge to Case's 'Hold On, Hold On,' sends John Lennon's 'Working Class Hero' arcing into the night sky and approaches the Stones' 'Sister Morphine' with a knowing sense of despair and hunger. What I would love is to hear all of these performances in full, or, at the very least, get the names of all of the musicians who contributed to these festival gigs. They deserve as much shine as the goddess on the front cover.