Posted on 06/06/2014 1:54:37 PM PDT by nickcarraway
BRITISH singer/songwriter Dame Vera Lynn is on course to make the top 20 at the age of 97, it's been revealed.
The Forces' Sweetheart released 'Vera Lynn: National Treasure - The Ultimate Collection' at the beginning of this week, and it's already flying off the shelves.
If the strong sales continue throughout the week, Dame Vera could even make the top ten and will extend her lead as the oldest living artist to figure so high up in the album chart.
Her last major chart feat was five years ago when she achieved a number one with an earlier best-of release.
Dame Vera's latest record comes as preparations are taking place to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings this Friday.
The mother-of-one will also have a role in a major commemorative concert at the Royal Albert Hall on the evening of the anniversary when Katherine Jenkins duets with a recording of her singing the popular wartime hit 'We'll Meet Again'.
The track featuring both their voices also features on the new album, along with a number of previously unreleased recordings of Dame Vera - who made her professional debut at the age of seven - which were unearthed by her daughter Virginia.
in an interview published last week she expressed surprise that her wartime role, buoying the nation's spirit through song, was still so strongly recognised.
"I never thought the Forces' Sweetheart tag would stay with me, but it has, hasn't it?" she said.
"I thought it would last for the war period, then I'd just be another singer. Of course I've never minded that everybody always connects me with that time. It was so important."
The Official Charts Company will announce the midweek placings tomorrow, with the actual chart issued on Sunday.
Was introduced to her singing by greatgrandad .... he’s just turned 92 ...mind as sharp as a tack.
That’s great. He’s just a youngster compared to her. It’s wonderful that you have so much time with a great grandparent.
The stories he’s told when growing up in Brooklyn ... have them on tape (well CD) - told about the time of Dec.7th when the Japs hit Pearl Harbor. Him and his friends went cruising looking for Japs (his terminology which I fully understand. Today it’d be racist if you said that)
“We’ll meet again. Don’t know where. Don’t know when....” I can hear her voice singing that even now. My folks used to play a record of that over and over when they would talk about the importance of freedom and vigilance
My DH is British and my FIL fought the Gerries on the British coast as a gunner. “White Cliffs of Dover” makes me choke up.
Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Great minds think alike...
I seem to recall her mentioning meeting a again on a nonspecific date, barring clouds.
Does anybody else feel the way I do?
remember how she said that we would meet again some sunny day....
What has become of her?
Damn betcha!
We'll Meet Again is one of the most memorable songs of the era. Perfect tonality -- bittersweet, yet hopeful.
Sounds like she’s still making music :)
“I feel with my hands.
How do you feel....???”
101 year old friend use to love saying that when asked how she feels....
He Larry Us!
We'll Meet Again, by Vera Lynn
This is, I believe, the second recording. The original was her singing solo. This version was recorded in concert, before a hall of young Royal Army troops soon to be on their way to join Montgomery's forces in North Africa. And they're invited to join her in the vocal about halfway thru.
The atmospherics are amazing. It is clear that she is singing to them!
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