John Mcdermott - A Time To Remember (2002)

John McDermott is known in America as one of the Irish Tenors, and is recognized as a bestselling solo artist in his native Canada. The songs on A Time to Remember were recorded for the PBS TV show of the same name, and because many of them appeared on his Canadian CDs, this collection has something of a greatest hits feel. McDermott's warm tenor and soothing manner is well-suited to sentimental favorites like "Ill Be Seeing You," "As Time Goes By," and "The War Song Medley"--which includes such chestnuts as "Lili Marlene" and "The Roses of Picardy." But as good as he is on the pop songs, he really bares his heart when he sings the old Irish melodies. On his signature tune "Danny Boy," he skips the melodramatic delivery that most singers indulge in, opting instead for a subtle--and ultimately more moving--a cappella performance. John McDermott's blend of patriotism and sentimentality may be old-fashioned, but in today's world of disposable pop, this is a virtue rather than a liability. --Michael Simmons