Oh It's a Lovely War 4 / Various

CD41 is pleased to announce the fourth volume of Oh! It's a Lovely War, the popular series devoted to archive recordings of songs, marches and descriptive records from the First World War. Almost all of the 50 tracks included on this beautifully packaged double CD set were recorded between 1914 and 1918, and have been carefully digitally restored and remastered from original 78 rpm sources. Volume 4 comprises two full length CDs, featuring 150 minutes of popular songs (There's a Tramp Tramp Tramp, a Perfect Day, K-K-K-Katy), patriotic appeals (The Bulldog's Bark, for Empire & for England, Save Your Kisses 'Till the Boys Come Home), comedy numbers (The Corporal's Ditty, I Want to Be a Hero Too, We Shall All Do the Goose Step) and military marches. Among the rarest recordings are Ten Little Zeppelins by Harry Bluff, Wait 'Til You Get 'Em Up in the Air Boys by Harry Fay, and No More Bully Beef & Biscuits and Plum & Apple, both bemoaning the monotony of rations at the Front. Spoken word selections include the somewhat brutal descriptive sketch Capture of a German Spy, and a rare 1917 recording of a British prisoner of war singing Tipperary, recorded in Germany. An appeal made by the Prince of Wales on behalf the British Legion in 1930 closes the album Oh! It's a Lovely War Vol 4 is a must-have collection for anyone with an interest in the Great War, as well as military and social historians, and vintage music buffs. Featured artists include Peter Dawson, Stanley Kirkby, Harry Champion, Courtland and Jefferies, Harry Lauder, Robert Carr and Zona Vevey. The booklet includes detailed historical and recording notes by CD41 editor James Hayward.