More songs my father taught me

A follow-up album of parlour ballads (Edwardian and later) from the great baritone Thomas Allen, accompanied by Malcolm Martineau on the piano.I expect it will depend on one's age and listening experience, but I knew just less than half of the songs on this disc from other (historic) recordings – most notably, John McCormack.This is a repertoire that has been somewhat neglected in the last few decades but these nostalgic and sentimental old ballads are often jewels waiting to be re-discovered – we are lucky such artists as Sir Thomas choose to record them for modern listeners.A fine album - “Roses of Picardy” always gets me, due to it's association with the Great War.The CD has a playing time of 79.01 minutes.Amazon have now stopped providing sound samples – a stupid and extremely inconvenient move for all prospective purchasers – I suggest searching YouTube or another music website for tracks from the album.

This is the second volume in Sir Thomas Allen's survey of Victorian/Edwardian parlour songs.It's important that these should be recorded and not forgotten, as they are significant in the history of home music-making. This is all superbly explained in the sleeve notes which are to Hyperion's usual high standard, so I won't repeat it here.I don't agree with the reviewer who said that Mr. Martineau's accompaniment is too loud.Sir Thomas signs these songs with respect and evident affection, and without affectation. His mastery of them is of course consummate.We should be grateful to Hyperion and to Sir Thomas and Malcolm Martineau for bringing these works into the recorded repertoire. Listening to these, popular songs of their day, one is struck by the musical and lyric poverty of much of today's popular music.

I remember when Sir Thomas Allen used to sing on that wonderful programme of yesteryear: Friday Night is Music Night. What a cameo. He recently sang at The Royal Albert Hall, and the programme was twice repeated. He has a melodious , rather than strident tenor voice. In this CD he is singing songs which used to be sung around the piano in the parlour; when I was a lad. They are golden gems. Sir Thomas can give them regional tones as well as classical. A must for any music library.Sadly FNIMN, has changed, and lost its appeal to those who stay at home to listen to the radio, and are over the age of fifty.

This cd brings back many happy memories,

I found this even more enjoyable overall than the previous cd of recordings "Songs My Father Taught Me" - never far from my cd player after some 15 years of ownership - and am delighted to have a further selection of these magnificent songs performed so beautifully. I didn't find the piano too loud - for me the balance between voice and piano is just right. Wonderful selection of songs flawlessly performed.

This is no fault of the seller, and should not be taken as a comment against the level of service. The content of the disc was in my opinion (and music is always a matter of opinion) very poor. Other people may enjoy the music - we all have different tastes and in order to be fair to the seller, I must stress that this was a very inexpensive CD.

IAM REMINDED OF WHEN MY ELDER BROTHER AND SISTER WOULD ENTERTAIN MY LARGE FAMILY ON SUNDAY EVENINGS

Two great artists.A real joy to hear Sir Thomas Allen and a fine accompanist again.I didn't know all the songs but that was ok.A good performance all round.I recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys a top class baritone and an accompanist whom Gerald Moore would appreciate.