Three CD's of wonderful music
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This European budget release of Vera's music is a real pleasure to listen to from start to finish. The sound quality is brilliant, but there is no booklet, so - along with the very plain cover - that is how they kept the price down. Personally, I would have been happy to pay full price for this music with appropriate booklet and cover, but by releasing it at a budget price, a lot more of Vera's fans will be able to afford it - and it's better to cut costs on packaging rather than sound quality.
Vera was the first British female singer to have an American number one single (in 1952) - the second would be Petula with Downtown more than twelve years later - but that hit, Auf wiedersehein sweetheart, is not here. This set appears to concentrate on the early part of Vera's career, which is also what she will be remembered for, despite that hit and others on both sides of the Atlantic in the fifties.
All the wartime classics are here including White cliffs of Dover, A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square and (of course) We'll meet again.
For those unfamiliar with Vera's music, her diction is perfect with every note exactly in place, and her voice is crisp and clear. Such technical perfection can have one disadvantage - a lack of emotion or passion. In Vera's case, while she couldn't be described as an emotional or passionate singer, somehow it doesn't seem to matter. Perhaps it's because she has such a distinctive style and accent, or perhaps it's because the songs suit her so well.
In any case, this is an absolutely magnificent collection from Vera. In common with so many singers of the past, she was a feature of the times in which she recorded these songs and there will never be another like her. At the time of this review, she was still alive and (as far as I know) well, now with the well-deserved title Dame Vera Lynn. Long may she continue.
Even if (like me) you weren't born then, you can enjoy her music. If you remember these songs from when they were new, I can imagine that listening to Vera will bring back all sorts of memories."
Track Listings (68) - Disc #1