Search - Vera Lynn :: We'll Meet Again: Very Best of Vera Lynn

Brilliant music but could have been compiled better

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 09/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To anybody who is not particularly familiar with Vera's music and who just wants a selection of some of her most famous songs, this compilation provides that.. It includes We'll meet again (albeit a re-recording from 1953) and White cliffs of Dover, but it in no way could truly be called the very best of Vera Lynn. It focuses mainly on her recordings from the fifties, yet even omits most of her fifties pop hits.



I have several compilations of Vera's music, which between them represent her career as a recording artist from 1936 to 1977. Vera recorded for Decca (now part of Universal) until 1960, before switching to a label that is now part of EMI for the remainder of her career. In the sixties and seventies, Vera appeared regularly on TV and recorded plenty of great music during those decades, some of which is available on Singles Collection. However, people are primarily interested in the early half of her career so it is her Decca recordings, 20 of which are included here, that Vera will always be remembered for. Closer inspection shows that the people at Universal didn`t put a lot of thought into the track selection.



Of the compilations of Vera Lynn's Decca music that I own, there are two double CD's that I particularly love. One is Forces Sweetheart: 49 Original Mono Recordings 1936-1952, released on the ASV label that has now been shut down. Now out of print along with all other ASV titles, it includes 43 tracks from the period 1936 to 1945, together with six from 1951 and 1952. The other great double CD, Decca years 1936 to 1960 (not listed here), was originally released on Universal. It contains 56 tracks including some from the thirties and the war years, but mainly focuses on Vera's music of the fifties. So while there is some duplication of tracks, there isn't very much. If Universal had selected the best tracks from both compilation, I would have been very happy to give this five stars. As it turns out, this was compiled entirely from Decca years 1936 to 1960, which means that very few of these recordings are from the war years, which the compilation is supposed to commemorate.



Looking at the track listing for (and listening to) Forces sweetheart, I would certainly have expected to find Wishing and A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square in any compilation that claims to be the very best of Vera Lynn. From the Decca years 1956 to 1960, I would have expected Forget-me-not, The homing waltz and My son my son, all big UK pop hits during the fifties (My son my son went all the way to number one), to have been included here. Of Vera's big hits of the fifties, there is only one (Auf Wiederseh'n sweetheart) here, despite the preponderance of fifties recordings.



There is, of course, plenty of great music here. Among the highlights are Harbour lights, which Vera recorded in March 1937 (and may well be the original artist) and Up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire, which was Vera's first recording in February 1936. There are covers of songs associated with others, including I'm forever blowing bubbles (a song that West Ham fans know well), As time goes by, When I grow too old to dream and Faraway places. Vera sings them all superbly, but I wouldn't have included them at the expense of the omitted songs that I mentioned.



As a sample of Vera's music, this is great but could have been better, hence only 4 stars. Still, I'm pleased that it has proved popular. If nothing else, it shows that there is still plenty of interest in Vera's music and not just among older people. Following the success of this compilation, a 5-CD budget boxed set Gold: 100 Songs From A Life In Music was released in December 2009. Buy that, or the aforementioned Forces sweetheart, instead."

A nice compilation

Jon Strand | USA | 10/01/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I read of this compilation, released in August to commemorate WWII beginning 70 years ago, shooting past Beatles re-masters et al to Number 1 in the British Charts, making Dame Vera Lynn at 92 the oldest person to hold the Number 1 spot (move over, Bob Dylan). Out of curiosity I bought it and it's arrived. Nice CD. Good singer. Good sound ... the earliest recordings show their age but only slightly (occasional quiet crackles, but nothing intrusive). The notes give no recording date details, but it appears that over half of the tracks are post-WWII recordings (though nothing newer than 1953), including a re-recording of "We'll Meet Again."



I do like this enough to go looking for that compilation ("Forces Sweetheart") recommended by another reviewer here, Mr. Harris (Thank you!).



Btw, the songs on this CD are:



1. (There'll Be Blue Birds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover

2. Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart

3. We'll Meet Again

4. Travellin' Home

5. As Time Goes By

6. Dream

7. Faraway Places

8. Harbour Lights

9. It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow

10. If You Love Me

11. When You Hear Big Ben

12. Yours

13. The Loveliest Night Of The Year

14. Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye

15. Half As Much/Isle Of Innisfree/You Belong To Me

16. Up The Wooden Hill To Bedfordshire

17. When I Grow Too Old To Dream

18. Somewhere Along The Way/Here In My Heart/Let The Rest Of The World Go By

19. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles

20. From The Time You Say Goodbye (The Parting Song)"

Exquisite sophistication even if this isn't truly a "very be

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 11/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This "very best of" Vera Lynn compilation CD has much to offer although as another reviewer, Mr. Harris, notes there are songs that really should have been included instead of a few of the songs we get here. For example, while we get standards like "We'll Meet Again" and "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "My Son My Son," Vera's number-one hit from the 1950s, are just not here! On the bright side again, however, Vera's voice is as clear as a bell on this entire album; and you'll enjoy that when you hear these ballads and songs all performed with panache and genuine emotion. These songs showcase Vera's talent very well. The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is nicely done.



"(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" starts the album off with a marvelous, ageless song that Vera sings faultlessly. I like that piano arrangement and it all holds its own very well. "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" is certainly very easy on the ear; and "We'll Meet Again" charms me with its natural beauty. I love it!



"As Time Goes By" from the movie "Casablanca" gets the royal treatment from Vera Lynn who delivers this without letting go of a single superfluous note. The lush musical arrangement enhances this ballad even more; and I also really like Vera's rendition of "Dream." "Dream" is one of my favorite numbers on this CD. "Faraway Places" is also quite well done; and Vera does a superb version of "If You Love Me" which I first heard sung in French and English by Edith Piaf. Piaf would have certainly approved of Vera's treatment of this poignant love song!



"The Loveliest Night of the Year" is wonderful; I could never tire of listening to Vera Lynn sing this splendid tune! "Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye" is another classic that Vera delivers passionately; and there's yet another gem when Vera sings "When I Grow Too Old to Dream." I think you'll like "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" very much.



There's a stunning medley of "Somewhere Along The Way;" "Here In My Heart" and "Let The Rest Of The World Go By;" Vera's singing makes these songs sound so new and fresh while the backup singers harmonize to perfection--and beyond! Of course, Vera never really needed backup, but they do sound good. The album ends with two magnificent numbers: "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "From the Time You Say Goodbye (The Parting Song)." What a terrific way to end this CD!



Vera Lynn will never be forgotten; and I share Mr. Harris' hopes that more of her music will be re-released for us to enjoy over and over again. This album is a must have for Vera Lynn fans even if it isn't truly a "best of" single CD compilation; there's not a single dud in the bunch here. This even makes a fine starter CD for people just discovering the magical artistry of the great Vera Lynn."