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'I Need No Encouragement!' - The Best of Sir Harry Lauder

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 05/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'My wife thinks MacKay encourages me. I need no encouragement!' Thus sang the quintessential Scots entertainer Sir Harry Lauder, famous the world over during the first half of the last century, in 'I Met MacKay,' a paean to the friendship of two men over 'a wee drappie.' Here are songs about 'bonnie lassies,' domestic 'bliss,' sentimental longing for 'the lass back hame' and the pleasures of 'Breakfast in Bed on Sunday Morning.' I grew up with these songs. As a Scot whose family has long been in America, a thin thread of connection with the auld country came by way of the 78s of Harry Lauder singing in his Scots brogue. Ours was a classical music household, but Lauder's records were definitely a part of the family collection, and as a small boy I practically wore out such favorites as 'Roamin' in the Gloamin'' and 'I Love a Lassie.' There's no question that in many ways Lauder presented a too-broad stereotype of the miserly, sentimental, whisky-loving, wife-evading Scot, but at the same time the good humor and charm of his songs simply cannot be resisted. Hats off to David Lennick who produced this collection of 16 songs taken from what must have been pristine 78 rpm records. The sonics here are spectacular. Given Lauder's exemplary diction and the clear recordings, song texts are simply not needed. It is said that Winston Churchill played Lauder's recording of 'The End of the Road' over and over during the darkest days of World War II. 'Keep right on to the end of the road ... if the way be long, let your heart be strong.' It was played on American radio, too, during WWII and I remember it very well as a young boy. I know that I cannot hear it without choking up a bit.My hope is that new generation can fall prey to the charm of 'good ol' Harry.' Here's their chance.Scott Morrison"