Altsounds - Vera Lynn - We'll Meet Again, The Very Best Of Vera Lynn [Album]

On Pink Floyd's 1979 album "The Wall" included a track called "Vera".

Quote:

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how she said that
We would meet again
Some sunny day?
Vera! Vera!
What has become of you?
Does anybody else here
Feel the way I do?

At the time, I suppose Vera Lynn had really disappeared from the spotlight but 30 years on I can report that Vera Lynn is in fact both alive and well and is challenging the likes of Kings Of Leon and Arctic Monkeys for the top spot in the UK album chart with her newest release "We'll Meet Again, The Very Best Of Vera Lynn". Vera Lynn is the oldest living star to have a chart hit at the amazing age of 92! "We'll Meet Again, The Very Best Of Vera Lynn" really isn't music I would normally listen to but hey, you don't have to restrict yourself to only rock & Roll!

The opening number '(There'll Be Blue Birds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover,' which is a song that will likely be familiar to most
people and the thing that strikes me first is the clarity of sound. I was expecting a large chunk of noise on this CD given that these recordings were made a long, long time ago. The songs here then, are, beautifully re-mastered. 'Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart' includes a chorus of assembled members of H M Forces. Given the title I find it quite a curious song, perhaps because of the period in which this song was recorded? Actually, it was recorded in 1952, but that's only 7 years after the end of the war!

'We'll Meet Again' follows next and all I can say is that if you haven't heard Vera Lynn's version of this track I am seriously curious as to what planet you have been living on! Vera Lynn's vocal performance is impeccable. 'Travellin' Home,' is a traditional song and again the vocals are excellent. 'As Time Goes By,' another very familiar song to most people, and which is delivered well. The trumpet on the recording is beautiful too. 'Dream,' 'Faraway Places,' 'Harbour Lights' and 'It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow' all follow. Now I don't want to be disrespectful here or to cause offence but there is very little to say about these songs. Don't get me wrong though,
they are still good songs and the performance and recordings are excellent, they are just a little "blah." I am pleased again to hear another song that I am familiar with in 'If You Love Me (Really Love Me),' which again showcases a flawless performance by Vera Lynn.

Following on with 'When You Hear Big Ben,' 'Yours' and "The 'Loveliest Night Of The Year' and again I have nothing but praise for the production, performance and musicianship on display here. Am I starting to sound like the Vera Lynn Fan Club? I absolutely love 'Wish You Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye' and I want this song played at my funeral just as my coffin goes into "the oven" I am being serious here [as those who know me will tell you] I want my last day out to be fun!

The first of two medleys 'Half As Much - Isle Of Innisfree - You Belong To Me' features a chorus of soldiers, sailors and airmen while 'Up The Wooden Hill To Bedfordshire' is a song about going to bed because Vera feels like a tired child! It wouldn't surprise me if Motley Crue didn't nick the title and put a completely different slant on it. The sleep theme continues with 'When I Grow To Old To Dream,' and this time Vera Lynn is looking forward to when she's old, well too old to dream. I wonder if she does still have dreams? The second medley, 'Somewhere Along The Way - Here In My Heart - Let The Rest Of The World Go By' follows and has the chorus of soldiers, sailors and airmen accompanying her again.

Probably now better known by football supporters, well, West Ham United Supporters to be specific, 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' features The Mike Sammers singers comes on. This song is an anthem, but I wonder who got to it first West Ham or Vera? Still listening to Vera Lynn sing it is far better and more pretty than several hundred West Ham United fans. Rounding off the CD is 'From The Time You Say Goodbye (The Parting Song),' and again it is flawless in all respects and is a fitting ending to the greatest hits collection of songs contained within.

Summing up, "We'll Meet Again, The Very Best Of Vera Lynn" is really excellent. I have really enjoyed listening to it. The sound is old, but in a thoroughly modern way. The production and re-mastering is excellent. As Dame Vera said in a speech at The Royal British Legion's Festival Of Remembrance

Quote:

"These boys gave their lives and some came home badly injured
and for some families, life would never be the same. We should always remember, we should never forget and we should teach the children to remember."

Listening to this album should be made compulsory in both your music and History classes!