Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
14 September 2009
08:0528910Im amazed at this recent explosion of interest in Vera Lynn. Why??? is her music featured in a new popular tv show or something. Ive no idea. Has there been an outbreak of wartime fervour of all things British? dont thinkso. That great Brit event , well I had always assumed it to be a great British event, the Last Night of the Proms, failed to resonate in Market Sq. So why Vera Lynn?
Now I hear today her album has gone to no 1. I dont know..baffled.
Gawd no (pondering)...we might even see the return of acts like Ozzy Ozbourne at this rate! "Im going off the rails on a crazy train" sang Ozzie and he wasnt joking neither!
But I must ask again...why Vera Lynn??
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
14 September 2009
08:1628911Vera Lynn will always be one of the all-time greats and her music will always resonate with the British (I have downloaded her album off iTunes myself).
Look as well at Robbie Williams 'retro' album Swing When Your Winning with all the great rat pack hits. His version of Mr Bo Jangles is one of my favourite versions of this great song. Then there was Rod Steward with his 'Great American Songbook' albums that were also great success. The last two, I suppose, are contempory stars and so perhaps their success may be more understandable to some (mind you Rod Stewart, contemporary - how old is he now?). It is great though to see a new generation being introduced to this great old music, far superior to so much that is 'modern'.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
14 September 2009
10:1528920I agree Barry; I'm sure it's mostly older people buying the Vera Lynn album, but hopefully some young people too.
I love Rod Stewart, including his Great American Songbook series.
At 92, she must be the oldest person ever to be at Number 1.
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
14 September 2009
16:1628925I am not so sure that it is just older people Roger. Having been to more than one '1940's' event lately it is surprising just how many younger people take an interest in this era.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
14 September 2009
16:4328928The '40's event held in Pencester each year is excellent, our two youngest grandchildren love it and bombard us with all sorts of questions about the era. I think this is mainly due to the fact that they can see the Military uniforms and transport, together with the music of those times.
Alas show them a memorial or mention the George Cross for Dover campaign and they will suddenly develop an appetite for McDonalds.
Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
14 September 2009
18:3828930Just listen to the lyrics they so perfect in times of adversity to raise our spirits, At the present many of the best of our young men and women are coming home in coffins, many are suffering financially at the moment. If some of her songs don't tweak your heart strings then i pity you. Check out some of her performances on youtube.
beer the food of the gods
14 September 2009
19:2228933The '40s events are always good. We need to be reminded.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
15 September 2009
07:4528950Bern
In some way we are reminded..every time a transport plane arrives back in the UK laden with young soldiers coffins draped in the Union Flag.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 666- Registered: 25 Mar 2008
- Posts: 323
16 September 2009
23:2829030Think it must be all the coverage on the national TV news of the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WW2, they use a lot of Vera Lynn along with the newsreel footage.
Speaking as a chap who has a keen interest in the period and who has appeared at many re-enactments I am always chuffed by the interest shown by the young.
Lest we forget....
Here's a pic of me doing my best to keep the memory alive in Dover Castle:
Oh Boy!, That'll be the day.........
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
17 September 2009
08:1429042Great photo there Richard.
Are you back singing ?
Roger
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
17 September 2009
18:4729075I heard on the news the other day that Vera does not get a penny or very little from the records as she does not own the copy right.
Can this be true?
Ian...
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 688- Registered: 16 Jul 2009
- Posts: 268
17 September 2009
18:5129077The only Vera Lynn I know Ian Is the one that has tonic In It
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
17 September 2009
19:2029082the song was written by an american, i believe, maybe the legal people of the day tied it up so that the singer got nothing?
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
17 September 2009
19:5729085I know the old girl aint short of a bob or two H but that aint cricket is it, not when you consider the amount of money some of the bozo super stars make today.
Knowing V she would have given most of it to charity any way.
Ian...
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 666- Registered: 25 Mar 2008
- Posts: 323
18 September 2009
04:1629103Hi Roger,
Have done the odd gig for charity - such as Help for heros and the RNLI, but not able to be out as much as before.
I did offer to appear at the Ramada for the charity bash, but Sheli has already filled her programme, maybe some other time.
in addition there are many places closing up due to the downturn - The Hare and Hounds in Maxton was a great one to appear at.
Keeping in practice with friends and family - my daughter is coming on leaps and bounds on the singing front - at only 13yrs old she carried the part of Motormouth in Hairspray for a Broadstairs production - with distinction.
Best wishes to you and Jeane.
Buddy
Oh Boy!, That'll be the day.........
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
18 September 2009
05:0129104Ian, I understand that you can only get royalties on your music for 50 years and because most of her material is over that she gets nothing.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
18 September 2009
07:3729113Thanks Buddy
Roger
Oh Boy!, That'll be the day.........