Solid!

Vera Lynn

We'll Meet Again

ASV

During WWII, Vera Lynn was to Britain what Jo Stafford was to the United States. Her music inspired and comforted British soldiers fighting both in Europe and Asia, reminding them of home and giving them hope of returning there someday. The beginning of the war was a dark period in British history, and Vera Lynn's romantic and patriotic recordings helped make those days a little bit brighter.

We'll Meet Again is a collection of 24 Vera Lynn recordings. Many of them are war-time numbers, like the opening, title track. Recorded in September 1939, just after the war began in Europe, it is a theme for all those wives and families whose husbands and sons were being sent off to uncertain fates. ''When They Sound the Last 'All Clear''' speaks to those who hid in London's underground shelters as German bombs fell around them. A true Vera Lynn classic is ''The White Cliffs of Dover,'' recognized as the definitive version of that song.

History aside, Vera Lynn was a wonderful singer in her own right, and the songs presented in this collection attest to that. Many are British versions of popular American film hits, like the wonderful Cole Porter tune ''Rosalie,'' from the film of the same name, but there are also homegrown British numbers, like the beautifully romantic ''Cinderella, Stay in My Arms,'' written by the famous British songwriting team of Michael Carr and Jimmy Kennedy. Other stand-out numbers include ''There'll Come Another Day,'' the ultimate cheer-up song, and the smooth '' You'll Never Know.'' ''Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat'' is just absolutely perfect. Vera also does a great job with Irving Berlin's ''Be Careful, It's My Heart,'' from the film Holiday Inn, and the Gordon and Warren number ''I Had the Craziest Dream,'' made popular by Helen Forrest in the film Springtime in the Rockies.

Excellent. A good introduction to Vera Lynn for those unfamiliar with her work and a great collection of songs for those who are.

Track Listing

• 1. We'll Meet Again
• 2. It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
• 3. Roses in December
• 4. Rosalie
• 5. Cinderella, Stay in My Arms
• 6. Wishing (Will Make It So)
• 7. I Paid for the Lie That I Told You
• 8. Careless
• 9. You Made Me Care
• 10. When You Wish Upon a Star
• 11. I'll Never Smile Again
• 12. There'll Come Another Day
• 13. Something to Remember You By
• 14. Smilin' Through
• 15. Yours
• 16. When They Sound the Last ''All Clear''
• 17. (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover
• 18. I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time
• 19. Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat
• 20. Where in the World?
• 21. Be Careful, It's My Heart
• 22. I Had the Craziest Dream
• 23. You'll Never Know
• 24. Goodnight and God Bless You