Irving Berlin in London: Vocal Gems from This is the Army, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam (Original London Cast Recordings)

by Various Artists

Irving Berlin brought his all-army show "This is the Army" to London during the war to raise morale and funds for British service charities. Not only did he write the music and lyrics, Berlin also produced and starred in it as the only civilian in the cast. He wrote an additional song for the London production - "My British Buddy" which he performed and recorded over here.

Post-war London saw Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Coliseum starring Dolores Gray in the lead and co-starring Bill Johnson. The run of 1304 performances here was longer than the Broadway version. Two 12inch 78s featuring a medley of the show's better known tunes were recorded with the London cast.

Following "Annie" at the Coliseum was "Call Me Madam" starring Billie Worth, Anton Walbrook and the very young Shani Wallis. Unlike "Annie", twelve complete songs were recorded.

Bonus tracks include Gracie Fields singing a medley of songs from "Annie Get Your Gun" giving the listener an idea of what things might have been if she had accepted the role of Annie Oakley!