The 24-page liner notes contain all the lyrics, translations, a poetic homage by Yusuf Komunyakaa and commentary by Pierre Saka, editor of Larousse encyclopedia of French song. Chicago's premiere singer of French chanson, Paris-born actor/singer Claudia Hommel is joined here by the late great jazz violinist Johnny Frigo, the award-winning pianist Bob Moreen, and some of Chicago's finest sidemen. Claudia tours most often with pianist Bob Moreen, and is joined by accordionist, and jazz ensembles. Her current programs include Souvenirs of Paris, 1950; Romance Language; French Impressions (including Fauré, Chabrier, Ravel), and Paris in the Jazz Age (1900-1940). Described as a "bit of Audrey Hepburn, with something of Ginger Rogers, Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and ...Air Jordan," Claudia "will make you want to dance along the Seine." A long time member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA, she is a founding member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals. Is there an audience for the old French songs? Claudia responds: "The emotions and scenarios are universal. When I sing 'Mon amant de Saint Jean the women in the audience nod in recognition at the fateful moment when we stupidly lost our heart to that gorgeous liar. But somehow it just seems easier to sing about it in French." Making language sing attracts other poets to Claudia's work. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, produced a poem for the new album. Published in the thick little booklet accompanying the CD, he writes, "A voice. Not only a piano calling to a woman, but a woman speaking a language of tenable blue that salves each bruise... ...turning inside the nervous system of a dream coming true, worlds held whole by a seam of lyrical blood." Fifteen years since its first release, Romance Language still resonates around the world. www.cabaret-paree.com