AMG Review of Johnny Hallyday, Vol. 1-2

Yuri German
All Music Guide

The career of Johnny Hallyday, France's first and biggest rock star, is duly represented on these two volumes. Vol. 1 presents the softer, more mature Hallyday already veering toward lushly orchestrated pop music -- "Noel Interdit," "Ma Gueule," "J'ai Oublie de Vivre." Vol. 2, featuring his earlier hits, is somewhat less interesting since it lacks original material and consists mainly of French-language versions of such rock classics as "Love Me Tender," "The House of the Rising Sun," and "Teenage Idol."