This year we celebrate the centenary of Patricia Sibley (1923-1994) who, as “Anne Shelton”, was one of the iconic “Forces’ Sweethearts” of World War II. With her rich contralto voice and charismatic presence, the then-teenage sensation had an invaluable morale-boosting effect with her broadcasts, concerts and songs, not least her signature tune, Lili Marlene. That also provides the title to Retrospective’s 52-track tribute, 26 of them as lead singer with the famous Ambrose Orchestra (taking over from Vera Lynn in 1940), including such nostalgic classics as her debut, Begin the Beguine, I’ll Never Smile Again, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and Fools Rush In. Her popularity scarcely waned after the war, culminating in her huge 1956 hit, Lay Down Your Arms. In all, the collection contains 22 enduring “chart hits” such as I’ll Be Seeing You (no.2), Silver Wings in the Moonlight (no.4) and At Last (no.5). In this, her centenary year, Anne Shelton remains an inspirational figure, still nostalgically beloved as a Forces’ Sweetheart – our “Lili of the lamplight” – and for the sheer warmth and authority of her creamy, melodious voice as captured on these timeless CDs.

Contents:

CD 1 (1940-1944)
1. Lili Marlene
2. Begin the Beguine
3. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
4. Fools Rush In
5. I’ll Never Smile Again
6. Blueberry Hill
7. We Three, My Echo, My Shadow and Me
8. Only Forever
9. He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings
10. My Yiddishe Momme
11. St Louis Blues
12. There Goes That Song Again
13. Daddy
14. While the Music Plays On
15. The Last Time I Saw Paris
16. I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire
17. Kiss the Boys Goodbye
18. I Know Why, and So Do You
19. I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time
20. I Don’t Want to Walk Without You
21. Blues in the Night
22. Hey, Mabel!
23. Nightingale
24. At Last
25. Ev’ry Night About This Time

CD 2 (1943-1961)
1. Lay Down Your Arms
2. At the Crossroads
3. As Time Goes By
4. You’ll Never Know
5. Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer
6. Silver Wings in the Moonlight
7. We Mustn’t Say Goodbye
8. Swinging on a Star
9. I’ll Be Seeing You
10. In the Still of the Night
11. On the Atchison, Topeka And the Santa Fé
12. The Anniversary Song
13. A Rainy Night in Rio
14. My Silent Love
15. Be Mine
16. Galway Bay
17. Put Your Shoes On, Lucy
18. I Remember the Cornfields
19. The Loveliest Night of the Year
20. The Kiss of Fire
21. I Talk to the Trees
22. Answer Me
23. Arrivederci, Darling
24. Seven Days
25. Volare
26. The Village of St Bernadette