Latest news with #DameVera
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Vera Lynn's audition records to be released 90 years after they were recorded
The late singer's first records were found when Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, donated her mother's record collection to the British Library's Sound Archive, after she moved out of her home in East Sussex, where Dame Vera Lynn had lived with her husband Harry Lewis for 40 years. Along with the three silver aluminium audition records, which are labelled by hand with the song titles What A Difference A Day Makes and Spring Don't Mean A Thing To Me, a copy of Dame Vera's first record, It's Home, recorded in 1935 with bandleader Howard Baker, was also found. Recorded after trumpeter Baker invited Dame Vera to join his band in 1933, the first record is one of just 100 copies pressed. Lewis-Jones said: 'It's so wonderful to hear ma's voice from those early days, right at the start of her career. 'I always had the feeling these would be worth exploring so I am absolutely thrilled that the audition tapes we've never heard can now be brought to life, and add significantly to what we already know about ma.' A medley features on the records, including a section of the song I Hate Myself (For Being So Mean To You), and a piano-only version of debut single It's Home. On one of the tracks an unknown voice joins Dame Vera and the piano cuts off at the end, as all that needed to be heard for the audition was her voice. Karoline Engelhardt, curator of popular music recordings at the British Library, said: 'We are honoured that Virginia Lewis-Jones has chosen to donate her mother's fascinating audio collection to the British Library, including Dame Vera Lynn's very first recordings. 'The Vera Lynn collection is a key addition to the British Library's Sound Archive and these previously unreleased early discs capture a special moment in music history, when Dame Vera Lynn was still in the early stages of her career and was yet to become the voice of a generation. 'Our role in preserving and digitising these recordings will enable them to be enjoyed for generations to come.' The audition discs will be released by Decca, with What A Difference A Day Makes released as a single on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Further previously unheard and rare tracks from them will feature on a new album called Hidden Treasures, which will be released on November 7. Dame Vera made her name during the Second World War, when her rousing songs such as We'll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover and There'll Always Be An England, earned her the affectionate name Forces' Sweetheart. During the war she gave outdoor concerts for the troops in Egypt, India and Burma as part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA. Her final studio album, Unforgettable, was released in 2010. She died in June 2020, aged 103, after she became the oldest artist to have a top 40 album in the UK, in May that year, with her greatest hits album 100.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Vera Lynn's audition records to be released 90 years after they were recorded
The late singer's first records were found when Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, donated her mother's record collection to the British Library's Sound Archive, after she moved out of her home in East Sussex, where Dame Vera Lynn had lived with her husband Harry Lewis for 40 years. Along with the three silver aluminium audition records, which are labelled by hand with the song titles What A Difference A Day Makes and Spring Don't Mean A Thing To Me, a copy of Dame Vera's first record, It's Home, recorded in 1935 with bandleader Howard Baker, was also found. Recorded after trumpeter Baker invited Dame Vera to join his band in 1933, the first record is one of just 100 copies pressed. Lewis-Jones said: 'It's so wonderful to hear ma's voice from those early days, right at the start of her career. 'I always had the feeling these would be worth exploring so I am absolutely thrilled that the audition tapes we've never heard can now be brought to life, and add significantly to what we already know about ma.' A medley features on the records, including a section of the song I Hate Myself (For Being So Mean To You), and a piano-only version of debut single It's Home. On one of the tracks an unknown voice joins Dame Vera and the piano cuts off at the end, as all that needed to be heard for the audition was her voice. Karoline Engelhardt, curator of popular music recordings at the British Library, said: 'We are honoured that Virginia Lewis-Jones has chosen to donate her mother's fascinating audio collection to the British Library, including Dame Vera Lynn's very first recordings. 'The Vera Lynn collection is a key addition to the British Library's Sound Archive and these previously unreleased early discs capture a special moment in music history, when Dame Vera Lynn was still in the early stages of her career and was yet to become the voice of a generation. 'Our role in preserving and digitising these recordings will enable them to be enjoyed for generations to come.' The audition discs will be released by Decca, with What A Difference A Day Makes released as a single on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Further previously unheard and rare tracks from them will feature on a new album called Hidden Treasures, which will be released on November 7. Dame Vera made her name during the Second World War, when her rousing songs such as We'll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover and There'll Always Be An England, earned her the affectionate name Forces' Sweetheart. During the war she gave outdoor concerts for the troops in Egypt, India and Burma as part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA. Her final studio album, Unforgettable, was released in 2010. She died in June 2020, aged 103, after she became the oldest artist to have a top 40 album in the UK, in May that year, with her greatest hits album 100.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Vera Lynn's audition records to be released 90 years after they were recorded
Along with the three silver aluminium audition records, which are labelled by hand with the song titles What A Difference A Day Makes and Spring Don't Mean A Thing To Me, a copy of Dame Vera's first record, It's Home, recorded in 1935 with bandleader Howard Baker, was also found. Dame Vera's audition records, which were found when her daughter moved home (Carsten Windhorst/PA) Recorded after trumpeter Baker invited Dame Vera to join his band in 1933, the first record is one of just 100 copies pressed. Lewis-Jones said: 'It's so wonderful to hear ma's voice from those early days, right at the start of her career. 'I always had the feeling these would be worth exploring so I am absolutely thrilled that the audition tapes we've never heard can now be brought to life, and add significantly to what we already know about ma.' A medley features on the records, including a section of the song I Hate Myself (For Being So Mean To You), and a piano-only version of debut single It's Home. On one of the tracks an unknown voice joins Dame Vera and the piano cuts off at the end, as all that needed to be heard for the audition was her voice. Dame Vera's daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones with the new album (Carsten Windhorst/PA) Karoline Engelhardt, curator of popular music recordings at the British Library, said: 'We are honoured that Virginia Lewis-Jones has chosen to donate her mother's fascinating audio collection to the British Library, including Dame Vera Lynn's very first recordings. 'The Vera Lynn collection is a key addition to the British Library's Sound Archive and these previously unreleased early discs capture a special moment in music history, when Dame Vera Lynn was still in the early stages of her career and was yet to become the voice of a generation. 'Our role in preserving and digitising these recordings will enable them to be enjoyed for generations to come.' The audition discs will be released by Decca, with What A Difference A Day Makes released as a single on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Further previously unheard and rare tracks from them will feature on a new album called Hidden Treasures, which will be released on November 7. Dame Vera made her name during the Second World War, when her rousing songs such as We'll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover and There'll Always Be An England, earned her the affectionate name Forces' Sweetheart. During the war she gave outdoor concerts for the troops in Egypt, India and Burma as part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA. Her final studio album, Unforgettable, was released in 2010. She died in June 2020, aged 103, after she became the oldest artist to have a top 40 album in the UK, in May that year, with her greatest hits album 100.
Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Telegraph
WFH justice boss quits after Andrew Malkinson scandal
Ms Kneller became chief executive in 2013, having joined as director of casework in 2005. Her departure follows the enforced resignation of the previous chairman, Helen Pitcher, who claimed she had been made a scapegoat. Dame Vera said: 'The CCRC has a vital role to play in the criminal justice system, but confidence in the organisation has been badly damaged. Confidence in our work must be restored. I thank Karen for her work at the CCRC over many years.' Amanda Pearce, CCRC the casework operations director, has been appointed interim Chief Executive. In February, the CCRC received an application from Lucy Letby, the former nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Asked if she thought the CCRC could deal with it, Dame Vera said: 'Remember I'm quite new to it. It will need complexity. It will need a team. It will need the readiness to commission reports, I would guess from what's been said about the lack of scientific value in some of the things that were asserted. 'So it's going to be a very complex task.'
Telegraph
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Erect statue of Vera Lynn to commemorate VE Day heroes, say Tories
Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to support the construction of a statue to Dame Vera Lynn as Britain celebrates VE Day this week. The Tories are urging the Prime Minister to throw Downing Street's backing behind a campaign to put up a monument to her in Dover. Before last year's election, Rishi Sunak pledged to commit £1 million in funding to the project, but campaigners say they now need only £350,000. Sir Keir said in the Commons last week that he supported the campaign for a statue, saying that Dame Vera was 'sewn into our nation's soul'. Dame Vera is best known for her wartime songs, including We'll Meet Again, which helped boost the nation's morale in the fight against the Nazis. She died five years ago and will be commemorated this summer in a special set of stamps to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe. Campaigners are also trying to raise funds for a statue to the singer to be situated in Dover, the title location for one of her most famous songs. Writing for The Telegraph, Stuart Andrew, the shadow culture secretary, and Mims Davies, the shadow minister for women, said it was 'truly time' the project happened. 'The planned statue would be powerful – it displays Dame Vera singing, with brave soldiers dotted in the background, while bombs rain on Westminster,' they said. 'The statue is urgently needed to ensure future generations continue to remember the warmth and joy Dame Vera spread to households, not just in Britain, but across the entire world. 'Dame Vera was not just an icon, she was a female icon and, with a lack of female statues in our country, having one to the late singer would more than help remedy this error.' The pair urged Sir Keir to stump up the final tranche of cash for the statue, which is expected to cost around £1.5 million to construct. They said: 'If the current prime minister, like his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, committed to the charity's aim, we will meet again and Dame Vera can – and will – be remembered forever.' Campaigners have been fundraising since 2021 and are aiming to hit their target ahead of June 18, which will be the fifth anniversary of Dame Vera's death. The drive also comes with Britain set to celebrate VE Day on Thursday, with the Government allowing pubs to stay open for an extra hour. Sir Keir said in the Commons last week that he supported the campaign for a statue, which was 'particularly timely' given VE Day. 'Dame Vera is sewn into our nation's soul by providing the soundtrack for our greatest generation,' he told MPs. Referencing VE Day, the Prime Minister added: 'It is particularly timely, so I will support the campaign.' Dame Vera was not just an icon – she was a female icon By Mims Davies and Stuart Andrew Very few people have successfully rallied and mobilised an entire nation to come together during an existential crisis – and continued to bring us together over many decades by being there to tell the tale. But Dame Vera Lynn managed it, almost exclusively with the power and beauty of her voice. She made a truly invaluable contribution in sustaining and boosting morale during some of the darkest periods our nation endured in the Second World War. Dame Vera, who died five years ago aged 103, also contributed to the nation with her long-standing charitable work. She once said: 'Perseverance and never giving up have been the secret of my success. Now, I am reminded of the importance of perseverance regularly through my special charity which helps young children affected by cerebral palsy and associated disorders.' It is certainly no exaggeration to firmly state Dame Vera was one of the greatest British popular singers to have ever lived, with her immaculate singing voice, with We'll Meet Again, The White Cliffs of Dover and many more continuing to radiate in households nation-wide to this very day. This is rightly being recognised by the release of a commemorative stamp to Dame Vera's legacy – a move that is long overdue but crucially is happening as we commemorate VE Day 80 years on. Granted, while wholeheartedly supporting this wonderful initiative, we believe something of an equal substantive nature is vital to preserve Dame Vera's vast legacy – and it's truly time this happened. The Dame Vera Lynn memorial statue team has, for several years, heroically left no stone unturned in its tireless quest to secure a permanent sculpture of the late singer to be suitably sited in Dover. The planned statue would be powerful: it displays Dame Vera singing, with brave soldiers dotted in the background, while bombs rain on Westminster. At present, the charity has raised crucial funds – but is around £350,000 short. The outstanding monies needs desperately raising before June, which will mark the fifth anniversary of Dame Vera's passing. We met Susan Fleet OBE – Dame Vera's long-standing friend and assistant – this week in Westminster and she is frustrated there is no permanent statue. The charity has concluded that it's now or never, for raising the last amount of money. The statue is urgently needed to ensure future generations continue to remember the warmth and joy Dame Vera spread to households, not just in Britain, but across the entire world. Dame Vera was not just an icon, she was a female icon and, with a lack of female statues in our country, having one to the late singer would more than help remedy this error. The novelist George Eliot once said: 'Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.' It is incumbent upon us all to ensure Dame Vera's words and deeds achieve immortality. To conclude, as Mark Francois MP last week pointed out in the House of Commons chamber: if the current Prime Minister, like his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, committed to the charity's aim, we will meet again and Dame Vera can – and will – be remembered forever.
