Search - Bing Crosby :: Bing With a Beat

Sheer perfection

Richard Ross | Malvern, PA USA | 07/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Man, does this swing! Bing's velvety voice and precise phrasings along with a terrific jazz band produce irresistable renditions of pop standards. Much of it is of the Dixieland jazz variety, and it's hot! Pure pleasure."

Bing at his swinging best!

Malcolm Macfarlane | Cheshire, UK | 06/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This reissue of one of Bing's best albums is very welcome indeed. Accompanied by Bob Scobey's excellent band, Bing delivers superb versions of twelve old classics. In relaxed form and obviously enjoying the jazz band backing, Bing seldom sounded better in the 50s. There is a surprise amongst the songs as 'Exactly Like You' is an alternate take to the track issued on the original vinyl issue. Top class sleeve notes by noted writer Will Friedwald plus several photographs from the session make this a most appealing package."

Bing's Best Beat

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 09/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bing's music did not translate well to the long-playing record format of the '50's and later. There's a a brash and unswinging outing with Buddy Bregman and even a tepid date with Count Basie. But the 4/4 swing style was the domain of Sinatra, a vocalist whose approach was based on Harry james' incisive phrasing and Coleman Hawkins' arresting timbre and attack. Bing, on the other hand, is the alter ego and musical descendent of Louis Armstrong's looser, more genial 2-beat New Orleans style. Forget the crisp, tightly orchestrated riffs of the '40's swing ensembles. Instead, think Dixieland polyphony, and the collaborative, good-time music-making of the best jazz of the '20's and early '30's.



"Bing With a Beat" is late Crosby at his very best. Like his masterful performance with Louis in "High Society" it's one of the rare occasions after 1940 when Crosby displays the jazz chops that contributed to his complete dominance as a popular recording artist in the 1930's. His command of the program makes even an unfamiliar tune like "Last Night on the Back Porch" or "Tell Me" sound like a welcome return to an old favorite. Scobey's trumpet sound--full, brassy, passionate--is a perfect complement to Bing, who brings the instrumentalist into the conversation at every opportunity.



Bing is in his element on this overdue reissue, and his pleasure is the listener's. (I've played the CD 5-6 times, and it just keeps getting better. Maybe it's time for another one of those "Dixieland revivals" that used to occur periodically.)"