Songs of World War II [Fremeaux & Associes]

To jump off from the Lau Tseu adage that adorns the back cover of this collection of songs popular during World War II ("The most beautiful song has never prevented war, but the most horrible wars have sometimes induced beautiful songs"), not every song here deals in a direct way with the war, but each is made more poignant by the war's massive shadow. Bing Crosby's classic version of "White Christmas" (included here) has charmed millions over the past sixty some years, but the song had an extra dimension when it appeared during the holiday season in 1942, and likewise other songs here such as Tony Martin's "Last Time I Saw Paris" from 1940, Frank Sinatra's "I'll Be Seeing You," also from 1940, and Dooley Wilson's "As Time Goes By" from 1943 all carried extra power when they were current releases set against the backdrop of World War II. Each of these songs, and many others on this compilation, continue to be classics, and are fine and beautiful songs by any era's standards, but in their original time they helped give voice and substance to feelings and emotions that were often difficult to face. A beautiful song doesn't make a war any less horrible, or even more bearable, but it can bring about a few moments of emotional clarity. This collection of songs, like a book of old family photos, tells a shared story that only grows more precious as time goes by. ~ Steve Leggett