Customer Reviews

A Time to Remember

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Taken from the PBS television special of the same name, "A Time To Remember" takes its place as yet another superlative entry in the discography of Canada's golden-voiced tenor, John McDermott. And as the title implies, this is an album that soars with emotion, tugs at the heartstrings, beckons us to remember. The live performances, the deft orchestration of Frank McNamara and new arrangements, quickly alleviate any concerns that this is recycled fare. The biggest difficulty I have in describing the highlights of "A Time To Remember" is that there are so many of them, but I'll try.

"Here You Are," a duet with the beautiful Allison Girvan is wonderfully done, as is the touching rendition of "When I Grow Too Old To Dream." (I believe the child's singing voice you hear on this is that of John's goddaughter). The jazzy sound John and conductor Frank McNamara bring to the "War Song Medley" (Roses of Picardy/Lili Marlene/We'll Meet Again) is delightful. This is evident again on "As Time Goes By." Wow, so many highlights, so many great songs! The arrangement on "The Skye Boat Song" is stirring and beautiful.

John McDermott has often stated that he inherited his singing voice from his father. Track 13 features John's father, Peter McDermott," singing a beautiful version of "The Last Rose of Summer." Get past the scratchy sounding tape and all the background noise (for in fact, the tape was made in the Cabin Bar in Glasgow, Scotland in 1957) and you'll see what I mean. After that, get the tissues ready for "The Old Man." I haven't even seen the show yet and hearing this song made me cry. According to an interview I read, John glanced at one of his sisters while performing the song and that was it as far as keeping his emotions at bay.

The mournful sounding intro to "Danny Boy" by Eammon Dillon on flute leads into John's acapella version of this well-loved song. Sublimely beautiful. Another highlight for me is track 16, "Christmas In The Trenches," based on an incredible, but true, incident from the Great War (WWI)

When EVERY song on an album is good, when many of them are wonderful, what should you do? Not a difficult question, is it? But I will warn you, once you buy one John McDermott album, you WON'T stop there. In a sea of voices, his is the one you'll spot miles away!

John McDermott's "A Time to Remember" is a companion cd to the television special of the same name currently airing on PBS stations across the country. John McDermott, an original member of the Irish Tenors has enjoyed a successful solo career for the past nine years with several cd's to his credit. While "A Time to Remember" doesn't offer a lot of new material, the musical arrangements of Frank McNamara make each familiar song sound brand new and as always John's beautiful tenor voice brings them to life as no one else really can. Highlights include "Here You Are", a beautiful duet sung with Canadian Alison Girvan, "Christmas in the Trenches" which never fails to bring me to tears, and John's incomparable acapella version of "Danny Boy". John's special ability is to bring each song he sings to life and his rich tenor voice wraps itself around you like a warm blanket and takes you to the places he sings about...the banks and braes of bonnie Doon, fishing on the Mira, waltzing across the floor to "I'll Be Seeing You", fleeing with Prince Charlie "over the sea to Skye" - it's not just a song, it's an experience! John's cd's should come with a warning label - listen and you'll be hooked and most likely a fan forever. As long as Mr. McDermott is willing to sing - I'll be listening.

All you have to do to count yourself as John Mcdermott's kindred spirit is love your family, friends, nation, and timeless stories. John sings few "new" songs; he's far too busy making us cry with "The Old Man," "Crazy Mary," "Danny Boy," and the War Medley. We also get to go traveling with him to Skye ("The Skye Boat Song"), Cape Breton ("Song of the Mira") and meet new friends like Alison Girvan, whose lovely voice is featured with John's in "Here You Are." The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" could not be more effectively sung than it is performed here, perhaps because John acknowledged that he was thinking of heroes as he sang it. None of John's fans have to be encouraged to buy this cd; we wait for each one to arrive so we can immediately purchase copies for ourselves, our families, and friends. If you're not a fan, just listen. You'll learn to love him and his music, too.

This CD is John McDermott at his very best. The smooth mellow tones of this Scottish Tenor are excellent on The Battle Hymn of the Republic and The Old Man.
His a capella version of Danny Boy can not be beat.
This CD is a must. From the stories told in the songs to the comforting sound of McDermotts great voice you will find yourself very glad you purchased it.

I bought this CD for my father who usually listens to a CD once and never again. This is the only CD he plays over and over - his previous favorite Sinatra CD is history. I first bought Rememberance which was ok, but all the songs sounded a little too Irish. I loved the voice so I took another chance and bought A Time to Remember and wow it blew me away. Before McDermott, my father (now 88 yrs old) and I have never enjoyed the same artist. This voice is amazing.

I like anything that John McDermott does. I now have all his CD's. I love his voice and after reading about some of the things he does I like him as a person. Great CD !!

I am at a loss for words to truly describe "A Time to Remember". It is absolutely my favorite cd, and I find myself listening to it over and over again without ever tiring of it. John McDermott has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. His songs are evocative and heartfelt, and they speak to everyone. It is hard not to be partial to his a cappella version of "Danny Boy" and the heart-wrenching "The Old Man", but every song stands on its own on this cd. If you really want a treat, watch the dvd of John's PBS special "A Time to Remember". I have never seen another performer who gives so generously of himself to his listeners. I love all of John's cds...but this is my favorite.

I had seen the PBS special and got hooked. So I got he CD. Don't understand all the songs, but the ones I do move me to tears sometimes. He sings heartfelt. Second best album I ever bought, wish I could get it on tape for the car.

I have this in both CD and cassette.And I've seen the video which will be out in June.Anyone who buys this will thank their lucky stars they did.It is truely amazing.It starts off with,TRY TO REMEMBER and it is sung beautifully by JOHN.Here You Are,he sings with Allison and it is a very tender and touching song.When I Grow To Old To Dream ,he shares with his god-daughter,Hannah.Together, they are terrific.The Old Man, will bring tears to your eyes and heart.The Last Rose Of Summer, sang by John's dad back in 1957 will show you where John gets his beautiful voice from.The whole Cd is a beautiful work of art and anyone buying this is in for hours of pleasure.Pat

i love this cd. i also saw the pbs special, and was instantly a fan. the old man is my favorite song. it is so touching. i cry everytime i listen to it. you will love all the songs on this cd. they're all unique in their own way and john's beautiful accent enriches the songs even more! buy it, you won't be disappointed!