If you are a collector of the recorded works of George Formby, there are many choices available throughout the various Compact Disc catalogues. Sadly, apart from a few isolated exceptions, the companies who choose to release the songs of George Formby usually stick between tried and tested margins, safe in the knowledge that "Leaning On A Lampost" and "Blackpool Rock" will always be popular and will always sell the required number of Compact Discs to guarantee some sort of profit.

Every once in a while something turns up which is the exception to the rule. In the past few years I can think of the Past Perfect release, two classics from the late Kevin Daley and the most recent release of the Alan Randall "Ultimate Collection". Present day GFS member Reg Thacker has also done sterling work in producing two first class releases but after considering this collection of five or six, the accolades must cease, as the rest of the releases featuring George Formby are awash with the most popular, predictable and safest choice of songs.

I received this morning a CD which is destined to change all that, a CD which features the rarest of items and is literally oozing in nostalgia and rarity – and, better still – it is the work of once again, a GFS member.

I refer to the newly released "Smile All The Time" – A Collection of the Rarest Recordings from the Records, Broadcasts and Films of George Formby.

Chris Webster (in my opinion) must be one of the most knowledgeable people around today when the subject locks on to the recorded works of George Formby and he has used his knowledge to the full in producing what must be a landmark release. Chris hasn’t just decided to put out perhaps a few rarely recorded items which would have normally been enough to gain pra ise from the Formby CD purchasing public, he has gone a major step further and has re-mastered and released items that many members will probably never have heard before.

Using high-tech computer equipment he has done a first-class job in renovating from the direst of sources, some real treats and some of the nicest but never before released songs from the films.

Contents of the CD include rarities such as "Sare Maraise", "Hello Canada" and a live version of "Get Cracking". George’s films have not been neglected and here you will find such treasures as "Nine-O-Clock", "I’m Going To Stick To My Mother"and Florence Desmond’s "Riding Around On A Rainbow".

Did anybody know that there were two recorded versions of "On The Other Side Of The World"? They are both included here.

Excellent, informative sleeve notes help to make this release one of the most important collections of recordings in the history of the Society. I am sure that this CD will be much sought after and I understand that the only source of supply is Chris himself. To some degree therefore you could say that it will be a limited edition.

I am aware that a price tag of £12 may be higher than other Formby CD’s but you really do have to consider the work that Chris has put in to this project and, quite frankly it is good value at twice the price just to get this collection of gems on the CD format. Contact Chris on 0181 649 9727.