Myriam Phiro: “Becoming Marlene Dietrich” (2023) CD Review

Jazz vocalist Myriam Phiro honors the incredible talent of Marlene Dietrich on her latest release, Becoming Marlene Dietrich. When I think of Marlene Dietrich, I generally think of her film work, such as The Blue Angel, The Scarlet Empress, Destry Rides Again and Stage Fright, and forget that she released several albums. But of course she sang in several of her films, including The Blue Angel, Destry Rides Again and Stage Fright. And Myriam Phiro covers songs from her movies as well as from her albums. Joining the vocalist on this album are Hyuna Park on piano and accordion, Elias Bailey on upright bass, Alex Raderman on drums, and Linus Wyrsch on tenor saxophone and clarinet.

The album opens with “You’ve Got That Look,” a song Marlene Dietrich recorded fairly early in her career. Myriam Phiro delivers a wonderful rendition. Like Marlene Dietrich, she certainly has her own strong allure. “You’ve got that look/That look between the lines/You with your let’s-get-more-than-friendly designs.” And just listen to the way she sings, “But oh what’s the use when I know I love it.” This track features some really nice work on piano. It’s followed by “Lili Marlene,” a song that Marlene Dietrich recorded in the 1940s. She also sang a bit of it in the 1961 movie Judgment At Nuremberg. It’s a song that Leonard Cohen refers to in “Famous Blue Raincoat.” Hyuna Park starts this one on piano. The drum beat takes on the feel of a march when Myriam Phiro sings the line, “When we are marching in the mud and cold.” Toward the end, Myriam sings a bit of in German. Marlene Dietrich had recorded both English and German versions of this song.

“Makin’ Whoopee” is a song that Marlene Dietrich included on her live album Dietrich In Rio. There is a hint of melancholy as Myriam sings, “Weddings make a lot of people sad/But if you’re not the groom, it’s not so bad,” but with a wink contained within the line, getting us ready for the next lines. This is a sweet and delightful rendition. Elias Bailey on bass then begins “Que Reste-t-il Nos Amours,” which Myriam Phiro delivers in French. And what a delicious vocal performance! This track also features some excellent work on piano. And in the middle, there is a cool lead on bass. The English version of this song is titled “I Wish You Love,” and Myriam Phiro delivers some of that in the second half, as Marlene Dietrich did. Marlene Dietrich also performed the English version on its own. That’s followed by “La Vie En Rose,” one of the songs that Marlene Dietrich sings in Stage Fright. She also included it on At The Café De Paris. Myriam Phiro delivers an absolutely beautiful and stirring rendition, singing it in both French and English. “When you press me to your heart/I’m in a world apart/A world where roses bloom.” We are all transported to that world just by listening to this remarkable vocal performance. This track features Hyuna Park on both piano and accordion, and I especially love that work on accordion. This is one of my favorite tracks.

“Quand L’Amour Meurt” is a song that Marlene Dietrich recorded in the early 1930s and is another that is delivered in French.  I love that moment when it takes a joyful turn. Myriam Phiro’s voice is incredibly expressive, and even when we might not understand the language, we understand the emotion, and we are right with her. She delivers a beautiful performance. Myriam Phiro then covers a song that Marlene Dietrick did later in her career, “Where Have All The Flowers Gone.” As I understand it, she started performing this song in the early 1960s, and recorded it both in English and German. This rendition by Myriam Phiro is delivered in English. On the verse about soldiers, the drums take on a military feel. “When will we ever learn?” she asks at the end. Then “Jonny, Wenn Due Geburtstag Hast” is delivered in German. This is an interesting song. It is both powerful and playful, as she takes us through different sections, including a short intimate section. This is a dramatic performance, with a final whisper of “Jonny” at the end. I also love Linus Wyrsch’s work. This ends up being another of my personal favorites.

Golden Earrings is a Marlene Dietrich film that came out in 1947. The song “Golden Earrings” is from the movie. Linus Wyrsch delivers some excellent work on this one, a big part of this track’s appeal. “So be my gypsy/Make love your guiding light/And let this pair of golden earrings/Cast their spell tonight.” Oh yes, this music will cast its own lovely spell on all who listen. This wonderful music transports me. That’s followed by “Another Spring, Another Love,” a song that Marlene Dietrich included on an EP. Here Myriam Phiro delivers another touching performance. Even her humming in the second half has a strong effect. This track also features some really nice work on both piano and accordion. “The Boys In The Back Room” is a song that Marlene Dietrich sings in Destry Rides Again. Myriam Phiro has a good time with this playful number. This is totally enjoyable.

“My Blue Heaven” has been in several movies, though I’m not sure of any Marlene Dietrich movies to feature it (but there are many of her films I’ve yet to see). Marlene did include it on her Dietrich In Rio album. This version begins warmly on piano and vocals, and soon includes some delightful work on clarinet. This track also features an absolutely delicious instrumental section, featuring some great stuff from all four musicians, including excellent leads by both Hyuna Park and Linus Wyrsch. Myriam Phiro then wraps up the album with “Falling In Love Again,” a song that Marlene Dietrich sings in her classic film The Blue Angel, which was released in 1930. Myriam Phiro delivers a gorgeous rendition. Oh, just you try to remain aloof and unaffected while listening. She is supported by some beautiful work on piano. A wonderful conclusion to an excellent album.

CD Track List

1. You’ve Got That Look
2. Lili Marlene
3. Makin’ Whoopee
4. Que Reste-t-il/I Wish You Love
5. La Vie En Rose
6. Quand L’Amour Meurt
7. Where Have All The Flowers Gone
8. Jonny, Wenn Du Geburtstag Hast
9. Golden Earrings
10. Another Spring, Another Love
11. The Boys In The Back Room
12. My Blue Heaven
13. Falling In Love Again

Become Marlene Dietrich was released on October 6, 2023.