For many years, I only knew the name Vera Lynn from the Pink Floyd song. Then later I realized it was her singing the Christmas song at the beginning of
Pink Floyd The Wall, the movie by Alan Parker starring Bob Geldof that brought life to the album. And eventually I learned that she was a singer in jolly old England around the time of the Second World War, and that's what Roger was going on about in his song. She recorded quite a few Christmas songs in her career as singles, but this Christmas album appeared much later in her life and doesn't seem to have done very much. It was recorded and released by a budget label in the UK, I don't think it ever saw much distribution in the States, though her career never amounted to very much on this side of the pond anyway. It's a nice collection of her signature style though, and all the better because it features The Mike Sammes singers on a number of cuts (as do many albums recorded in the UK during the Sixties and Seventies). So without too much more blathering, here is
Vera Lynn With The Mike Sammes Singers-Arranged And Conducted By Alyn Ainsworth-
Christmas With Vera Lynn (Music For Pleasure (UK) MFP 50315, Stereo, 1976).
1. Sleigh Ride
2. The Christmas Song
3. Little Donkey
4. Let's Have A Merry, Merry Christmas
5. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
6. White Christmas
7. Do You Hear What I Hear
8. Winter Wonderland
9. The Little Drummer Boy
10. Mary's Boy Child
11. A Christmas Wish From Me To You
12. Silent Night
Whoops, this one seems to be pretty easy to stream, and there was a CD out as well with a different title. I'd better take it down. Go support this great artist at the usual outlets.
Thank you so much, Ernie. Vera Lynn was like as popular as Bing Crosby... in Britain around World War II... She was actually named "Dame", like the female version of "Sir" in Britain... Now, I have to decide which is a better album... the one I already had or this one :)
ReplyDeleteYes, as per usual :) Ernie, your album sounds better, and is closer to the track times, on Discogs :)
DeleteShe was a big deal in the UK, but never really made it here in the states. Listed track times are always a bit dodgy, I frequently see them being just wildly wrong. And the more NR you do, the shorter they get, so I try to keep that to a minimum so I don't loose too much in the fadeout.
DeleteI am a great admirer of Vera Lynn, and have many of her records, including this one. A really good singer!
ReplyDeleteShe was a great one, for sure.
DeleteYou could do one of your Christmas comps with her earlier tracks one season. At least half an album out there, me thinks. :)
Delete....Remember how she said that
ReplyDeleteWe would meet again
Some sunny day.....
Known the name for years, never heard her until now. Thanks!
Yeah, I didn't know her story for many years. I guess Roger deserves credit for introducing me to her. :)
DeleteNice! Was looking forward to hearing this one mostly because of the PF connection, but the inclusion of the Sammes Singers is a lovely bonus. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was the Floyd that led me to her all those years ago. Pretty tenuous connection to be sure, but whatever works. :)
DeleteThis did see a CD release.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.discogs.com/release/12985352-Vera-Lynn-Vera-Lynn-At-Christmas
Ooh, not only a CD, but it appears to be streaming in all the usual places. I'll pull it down. Getting lazy about checking here...
DeleteVera Lynn is a big monument in England also for her artist activism during WWII - Very very friend of Bing Crosby and queen Elizabeth - Dead at 103!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is her wonderful hit original version 1939 We'll meet again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWlelVf3l0Q
This is her wonderful Christmas hit original version 1937 (20 years before Nat King Cole) the little boy that Santa Clauds forgot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqRuTQ5IlI4&list=RDeqRuTQ5IlI4&index=1
She was something else!
DeleteSorry folks, but looks like I missed that this one was streaming in all the usual places. It's late in the season and I've just been throwing things up without checking. Had to take it down. Go check it out though, it's worth a listen. Wish someone would compile this one with all her single Christmas sides from earlier in her career. Or perhaps someone has already done so...
ReplyDelete