Hear My Song Violetta 1947-1950 (CD)

Josef Locke exerted a considerable influence over the British vocal art during the middle part of the 20th century, but most of his best recordings were produced during a short span of time. The Naxos collection Hear My Song, Violetta: Original Recordings 1947-1950 -- one of many to bear the burden of the "hear my song" subtitle that gave him his most lasting fame, courtesy of a 1992 film -- is an excellent one, including his breakout recording, "Santa Lucia," as well as his most popular, "Hear My Song, Violetta." It also includes a good selection of his Irish tunes ("How Can You Buy Killarney?," "Galway Bay," "Eileen O'Grady"), as well as several Italian songs and light operatic material. ~ John Bush