England's Newest Hitmaker - Vera Lynn

I was amazed to read last week that the top spot on the British album charts was claimed by Dame Vera Lynn, who vaulted to number one over those comparative newcomers, the Beatles. The UK must be in the throes of one of its periodic spasms of nostalgia.

Well, I think it's a wonderful thing, because Dame Vera - still with us at 92 - was a fine singer who managed to be approachable while being artful. Somehow she used her extreme skill as a vocalist to draw us closer, and the catch in her voice was always endearing rather than annoying.

This 1949 LP provides a chance to hear her in some characteristic selections, with backing on most tracks by Robert Farnon, the great arranger (he is called Bob Farnon here). His work is beautifully suited to the vocals, and the greeting-card perfection of the cover could not be more apt, as well.

Now the bad news - I transferred two different pressings of this LP using two turntables and three cartridges and was not able to avoid a certain amount of peak distortion on Dame Vera's voice. It apparently was on the master. Still, I hope you enjoy this as much as Dame Vera must be enjoying her renewed celebrity.