Val Doonican

[Eman]

Hello!
Another artist I discovered awhile back is Val Doonican. I love his music also and was wondering if anyone else liked him. I know he gets a bad rap for his image and most people remember the cardigan/jumpers and rocking chair, but hey what a voice. People freak out now when they see my Ipod and they see Val Doonican and now Matt Monro. One of my mates and I were on travel and he borrowed my ipod on the plane and Val Doonican's song "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" came on and he literally freaked out. I told him give it a whirl, just kick back and listen. He did but he said he didn't like it, fair enough. Hmmmm I'm gonna try to get that mate of mine to listen to Matt Monro and see what he thinks. Then again he just listens to stuff like Metallica..who I can't stand period!

[mariana44]

Yes, Val Doonican is popular on here---many of us remember hm from way back, when he was on tv every week--a very gentle style of singing---not to mention the crazy ones, like Paddy Mcgintys goat, and Delaney's donkey !!

[Eman]

Oh yes this past St. Patrick's Day, I played "I'm a Leprechaun". Also love The Jarvey Was A Leprechaun but my favourite Val Doonican song is his version of "Stranger on the Shore". It's a shame he wasn't known here in the U.S. Though I have one lp that I found. Most of the lps I had to acquire on a trip to Canada.

[ROBERT M.]

Eman, how did you get into Val Doonican over there in the US ?

[Eman]

Hey Robert,
A friend had a few of his songs on a cd that he loaned me like "Walk Tall". Then once I hear something I get all tunnel visioned and zero in on it that I have to learn and listen to more. I know Val Doonican had a few lps that were issued here one was called "The Many Shades of Val Doonican" on London and then "If The Whole World Stopped Loving" on Decca. I found that one in a shop for a dollar and bought it. I got a bunch of his lps when I went to Canada and ordered a few cds off of ebay like the double Val Doonican The Special Years and The Christmas Album. Speaking of Christmas lps, did Matt ever release one?

[ROBERT M.]

Thanks for that into Eman ..................Matt never recorded a full LP, but he did record a couple of Christmas songs...........Mary's Boy Child and When a Child is Born

[john]

I have always liked Val Doonican, Eman. I went to see him at Oldham Coliseum around 1994, the friend I went with at the time was a bit dubious about going, but he came out singing his praises, it was an enjoyable evening with his songs and chatter.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We couldn't imagine anyone not liking Val Doonican. A lovely personality and a wonderful singer too, and remembering when he first appeared on TV and became an instant favourite.

[Rmoore]

There's a duet between Val and Matt from an old TV show included on the exclusive CD with the Special Edition of Michele's Book!

[john]

I just ordered Val's book "My Story, My Life" from an amazon seller, just under £7.00 including postage and that is for the hardback version.

[karl]

You'll enjoy ther book John, I got the hardback in Bookworld for £3.99.

I like Val singing Morning , Heaven Is My Woman's Love and What Would I Be to name a few.

Awhile backy they repeated one of his shows on tv and he sang Dusty's I Only Want To Be With You but he slowed it down and sang it as a ballad and it really worked.

[Eman]

I love when he sings "Stranger on The Shore" as I've never heard the lyrics. I love how you can hear his emotive qualities in his singing of the lyrics.

[karl]

Eamon I heard it sung years ago by Andy Williams, I think it's on a cd of early material.

[jon]

Val has his many merits: I especially like "Ring of Bright Water" and "Scarlet Ribbons". But I also have a rock/heavy metal friend who likes Val!

[Eman]

Karl, Andy Williams really? My Mum and Dad are fans of his. Fortunately I was only a fan of his twin nephews Andy and David Williams during the 70's teenybopper thing. LOL!!!