*** “Hommage a Jane Bathori: The Inspiring Muse” Dawn Upshaw, soprano; Jero^me Ducros, piano; Erato

Love French song? Add a star to the rating and this disc to your collection; it is indispensable. Recorded live--cleanly and dryly--a year ago in Paris, it documents Upshaw’s tribute to the remarkable early 20th century mezzo who inspired most of the composers on her program, which runs from Milhaud to Debussy. Upshaw’s singing is most impressive in just how unimpressive it is--that is, just how completely organically lost in the song it is, whether conversational or rhapsodic. Ducros gives her everything in the way of sympathetic cross talk and atmospheric color.

Think a chanson is the guy who serves your food at the corner bistro? Subtract a star and consider carefully; there is no crossover outreach here. Some of the songs are witty, some sad, and all are magical, but within a tightly circumscribed circle of belief. The “wow” factor here is nothing, but the “ah” factor is off the chart.