I think there are a couple of "sounds" of Edith Piaf (as was true
with Billie Holiday). The early recordings (1936-1945), before the illnesses and drugs are most interesting to me. They are collected in a 4-CD box issued by Polygram.
My reaction to some of the late recordings is that she has become a caricature of her former self.
BTW - does anyone have the EMI box set of LIVE recordings? (issued
the same time as a larger box set of the EMI studio recordings, possibly about 1990).
Thomas.