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Michael Holliday: The Story Of My Life - His 59 Finest 1955-1962
£10.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
RTS4330
Norman Alexander Milne (1924-1963), as “Michael Holliday” earned the epithet “Britain’s Bing Crosby”. But he was more than that; in the late 50s and early 60s he was one of the UK’s best-known and best-loved entertainers, with a warm, mellow, light baritone that oozed relaxation. Sadly, that veneer masked a tormented soul (he committed suicide at the age of 38) but, through his recorded legacy, his golden voice can still ease all cares away. Retrospective’s tribute offers 59 examples of his artistry, including all his chart successes, headed by the No.1s The Story Of My Life and Starry Eyed. Enjoyable though his pop singles were, it is to songs from his five albums that we turn for his greatest skill: delivering stylish interpretations of evergreen standards, and while many were associated with his idol and friend, Bing, Michael Holliday always has something special to give. In such beautiful songs as Berlin’s Marrying For Love, or Carmichael’s Skylark, he is quite simply unsurpassed.
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
The soothing baritone of Michael Holliday was a balm to the assault on the ears that so much of the music scene of the late fifties inflicted on the listener, and even more so hearing this excellent collection today. All his hits are included here with the two number ones THE STORY OF MY LIFE and STARRY EYED joined by several others. Whilst the demands of commercial success dictated the choice of many of his singles, his albums, which are amply represented here by tracks from HI, MIKE!, HOLLIDAY MIXTURE, HAPPY HOLLIDAY and TO BING, FROM MIKE, show a singer of great musical taste. His interpretations of standards like THE FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL, SKYLARK, I'LL BE SEEING YOU and MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU bear comparison with any of the more celebrated names associated with this repertoire. Indeed, I have to conclude that Holliday was sadly underrated during his short career, not helped by his own self-deprecating, modest persona. Obviously, his avowed devotion to Bing Crosby also played a part but this collection shows that he was far from just a Crosby clone. Who knows what he might have gone on to achieve if his tragically early death in 1963 had not intervened. Gerry Stonestreet, Music In Tune