You Don?t Have To Know The Language ? Bing & The Andrews Sisters
South America, Take It Away ? Bing & The Andrews Sisters
It?s Magic
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
But Beautiful ? Bing With Uan Rasey (Trumpet)
Bing introduces Nat King Cole Start Start
Bing chats with Nat Start Start
Sam?s Song ? Bing & Nat Start Start
My Foolish Heart
Them There Eyes
Too Late Now
Not Mine
Bing Welcomes back The Andrews Sisters
I Can Dream, Can?t I? ? The Andrews Sisters (Patty Andrews, Featured Soloist) With Bing
Sure Thing ? Bing With Buddy Cole (Piano)
Bing Introduces Finale
May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You ? Bing, Nat & The Andrews Sisters
Track Listings (27) - Disc #2
Basin Street Blues ? Bing & Ella With Red Nichols (Cornet)
If This Isn?t Love
It?s A Good Day
Bing Introduces Louis Armstrong
Bing Chats With Louis
Blueberry Hill (Version 1) ? Bing & Louis
A Fella With An Umbrella
Bing Introduces Ella And ?Dreamer?s Holiday?
A Dreamer?s Holiday ? Bing & Ella
For You, For Me, Forever More
Bing & Louis Introduce ?Gone Fishin??
Gone Fishin? (Version 1) ? Bing & Louis
Lazy Bones (Version 1) ? Bing & Louis
The Best Things In Life Are Free
That?s A-Plenty ? Bing & Ella
A Kiss To Build A Dream On (Version 1)
Louis Congratulates Bing On His 20th Anniversary
Blueberry Hill (Version 2) ? Bing & Louis
Bing Chats With Jack Teagarden
Rockin? Chair (Part 1) ? Jack & Louis
Bing chats with Dinah Shore
Rockin? Chair (Part 2) ? Dinah, Louis, Jack & Bing
Five Minutes More
A Marshmallow World ? Bing & Ella
Silver Bells (Version 1) ? Bing & Ella
Bing Introduces ?Memphis Blues?
Memphis Blues (Version 1) ? Bing & Ella
Track Listings (23) - Disc #3
Stay With The Happy People ? Bing & Ella
It Had To Be You ? Bing With Red Nichols (Cornet)
Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy ? Bing With Joe Venuti (Violin)
Now That I Need You
Gone Fishin? (Version 2) ? Bing, Louis & Jack Teagarden
Chicago Style ? Bing & Ella With Bill Taylor (Trombone)
Route 66
Blue Skies ? Bing With Les Paul (Guitar)
Istanbul ? Bing & Ella With Ziggy Elman (Trumpet)
Lazy Bones (Version 2) ? Bing & Louis
Bing Introduces Toni Arden & The Band
My Honey?s Lovin? Arms ? Bing & Toni (With Louis, Jack Teagarden & Joe Venuti)
Bing Introduces The Mills Brothers
Up A Lazy River/Paper Doll ? Bing & The Mills Brothers
Way Back Home ? Bing, Ella & The Mills Brothers
You?re Just In Love ? Bing & Louis
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer ? Bing & Ella
Silver Bells (Version 2) ? Bing & Ella
Bing Chats With Ella
White Christmas ? Bing & Ella Start Start
A Kiss To Build A Dream On (Version 2) ? Bing & Louis Start Start
Bing, Ella & Louis Introduce ?Memphis Blues? Start Start
Memphis Blues (Version 2) ? Bing, Ella & Louis
Bing Crosby was without doubt the most popular and influential media star of the first half of the 20th century. He was the best-selling singer until the rise of Elvis, the biggest movie star of the ?40s, and, as host of ... more »a long-running radio show, the most popular radio star of all time. For the first time ever, Shout! Factory is proud to present the very best of his radio performances, remastered from transcription discs recorded and broadcast from 1942 to 1954. Bing?s charming banter and relaxed live performances serve to remind us of his warmth and superior artistry, and guest stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat "King" Cole, Dinah Shore, The Mills Brothers, and The Andrews Sisters provide more than fitting accompaniment. DISC ONE: BING MEETS NAT KING COLE & THE ANDREWS SISTERS With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra DISC TWO: BING MEETS ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Their Complete Radio Duets ? Part 1) Featuring: Dinah Shore, Jack Teagarden and Red Nichols - With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra DISC THREE: BING MEETS ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Their Complete Radio Duets ? Part 2) Featuring: Red Nichols, Joe Venuti, Jack Teagarden, Les Paul, Ziggy Elman, Toni Arden and The Mills Brothers - With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra« less
Bing Crosby was without doubt the most popular and influential media star of the first half of the 20th century. He was the best-selling singer until the rise of Elvis, the biggest movie star of the ?40s, and, as host of a long-running radio show, the most popular radio star of all time. For the first time ever, Shout! Factory is proud to present the very best of his radio performances, remastered from transcription discs recorded and broadcast from 1942 to 1954. Bing?s charming banter and relaxed live performances serve to remind us of his warmth and superior artistry, and guest stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat "King" Cole, Dinah Shore, The Mills Brothers, and The Andrews Sisters provide more than fitting accompaniment. DISC ONE: BING MEETS NAT KING COLE & THE ANDREWS SISTERS With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra DISC TWO: BING MEETS ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Their Complete Radio Duets ? Part 1) Featuring: Dinah Shore, Jack Teagarden and Red Nichols - With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra DISC THREE: BING MEETS ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG (Their Complete Radio Duets ? Part 2) Featuring: Red Nichols, Joe Venuti, Jack Teagarden, Les Paul, Ziggy Elman, Toni Arden and The Mills Brothers - With Jud Conlon?s Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra
"Not only does this handsomely mounted 3-cd set provide an excellent sampling of the best the "golden age" of radio had to offer musically, it's also a unique opportunity to own, in a single package, some of the finest performances of a number of giants of 20th Century American Popular and Jazz Music.
Presiding over the proceedings is Bing Crosby, the top selling recording artist of the first half of that century, at his relaxed and deft best. There's also a healthy dose of Louis Armstrong, the first genius of Jazz, as well as Ella Fitzgerald, perhaps the medium's foremost female vocalist.
Not enough? Check for a pulse, then note that Nat "King" Cole, the Andrews Sisters, Les Paul, the magnificent Mills Brothers, Dinah Shore, and noted Jazz instrumentalists Joe Venuti and Jack Teagarden are also along for the ride. They were all guests on various installments of Bing's radio program, circa 1945-50, heard regularly by an amazing one-third of the U.S. population.
The booklet alone makes this collection a must-have. About the only Crosby CD-booklet to which it can be compared -- "Bing - His Legendary Years" -- runs a distant second to these attractive and informative 39 pages, courtesy of producer Ken Barnes (who worked with Bing during the last decade of his life). This one is loaded with photos, many in color, as well as an insightful overview of Bing's career, a look at the restoration and transfer of the original transcription discs which were used for the set, and personal reflections about Bing the man from Ken.
It's great to hear these radio performances after state-of-the-art re-mastering, which obviously has made them sound much better than before - particularly the selections which had been previously available on the old Bing & Ella CD, "My Happiness", and the "Fun With Bing & Louis" CDs. Something that's always bothered me about the latter - the annoying changes in speed from track to track, which alternately made Bing sound like everything from a low baritone to a low tenor - has thankfully been fixed for this presentation.
A unique aspect of this set is that each disc has been edited to sound like one continuous performance, rather than fading in/fading out from one track to the next. Although I was skeptical at first, it in fact makes for a pleasant, consistent listening experience, as opposed to the cut-and-paste hodgepodge effect that many radio compilations have produced. Imagine if Bing gave an all star concert with his fellow musical icons - this is as close as we'll ever get to what that would have sounded like, thanks to the editing.
There are some interesting connections here. Armstrong, with whom Bing shared a mutual admiration society (Bing called him "the beginning and the end of American music"; Pops described Crosby's voice as "like gold being poured out of a cup") was an obvious influence on the young Crosby. Bing later returned the favor when Pops began to vocalize and used Bing as his model. Ella always said her main inspiration was Connee Boswell -- who had been a protégé of Bing's in the 1930's. Nat "King" Cole was obviously influenced by Bing, as was every singer who grew up from the late 1920's through the 1940's. So, in essence, this is a collection of interrelated musical giants who shaped Popular Music communing in a never-to-be-repeated Olympian performance. I do not exaggerate!
I hope more of this worthy caliber of Bing Crosby product will follow. Thanks to everyone who made it possible, especially the redoubtable Ken Barnes.
"
Finally a restoration worthy of these great musicians
Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 09/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's a doggone shame, if I may use that term, the way in which musicians' work has been re-issued by companies, including the work of Bing Crosby, a great musician of the 20th Century. Only two CD's are comparable to the SWINGIN WITH BING and both were done by Robert Parker of Australia and issued as CLASSIC CROSBY 1931-1938 and Bing CROSBY 1927-1934 both in digital stereo. It's as if those who listen to popular music are somehow less deserving of the care and attention that is paid to so called "classical" music. Don't get me wrong. I love good music period, regardless of genre, but there has it seems to me been a pretty cavalier attitude to the likes of Mr Crosby. MOSAIC have done a wonderful job on issuing the TRANSCRIPTIONS of Miss Peggy Lee and Miss June Christy and I thought they would have done the same for Mr Crosby. In SWINGIN WITH BING the glorious restoration was done the PETER REYNOLDS MASTERING Studio in Colchester England. In addition, the producer has done a judicious editing job by leaving out the second rate jokes and most of the patter but retained the FEEL of live performance, the joy of the moment, and concentrated on the MUSIC. These are the greatest artists in the heyday of radio with Bing Crosby as host. The program is perfect with great ballads such as MY FOOLISH HEART (superior to Mr Sinatra's I Believe), the usual pop classics SOUTH AMERICA TAKE IT AWAY, neglected masterpieces,STRANGE MUSIC, in total over 60 tracks.
Finally, I've been very happy to pay the premium price for this wonderful package. Not to be missed if you love some of the best music of the last century performed as it is here by the best."
Most comprehensive Crosby radio collection available!
Greg Van Beek | West Bend, Wisconsin | 08/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive look at Bing Crosby's radio work that has ever been produced. And there was no better man to tackle the job of compiling it all than Ken Barnes. Ken's production values and attention to detail are extraordinary. If Ken's involved with a project, you can be assured the results will always be outstanding and top notch. It's a pity that Bing Crosby never made a commercial recording with the great Ella Fitzgerald, whom Bing cited on numerous occasions as his favorite singer. But we're fortunate Bing had her as a guest on his radio shows often, and that Ken has painstakingly assembled all of their extant duets together for this album. Not only that, but you also can revel in classic live performances pairing Bing with Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, the Andrews Sisters, the Mills Bros. and more. If you want to hear the ultimate crooner, live and in his prime, this is the one CD set with which to begin your journey into the realm of Crosbyana. A detailed and informative booklet is included with the set. It's heavily illustrated with many rare and previously unseen images. So go on, take a chance. Purchase this set at once. I guarantee you the magic of Bing captivate you as it has so many others for so many years."
"Bing's radio shows are impressive from the '40s & '50s"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shout Factory people and Sony Music presents "Swingin' with Bing: Bing Crosby's Lost Radio Performances", perfectly re-mastered from the vaults original recordings that have the who's who in the Music Department during those Golden Days of Crosby on the airwaves...Ken Barnes did a bang up job producing and writing the informative liner notes...each track has never seen the light of day on any other label.
Besides Bing we have Buddy Cole (piano), Ziggy Elman (trumpet), Red Nichols (cornet), Les Paul (guitar), Uan Rasey (trumpet), Billy Taylor (trombone) and Joe Venuti (violin), John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra...this is just the tip of the iceberg...many were great friends of Bing and it shows during those radio years.
On the first disc...we have one of the great jazz trios in the business Nat King Cole performing with Bing "SAM'S SONG (THE HAPPY TUNE)", big hit for Bing and his son Gary, but listen to this classic performance by Nat and Bing..."DON'T FENCE ME IN", "YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW THE LANGUAGE", "SOUTH AMERICA, TAKE IT AWAY" and "I CAN DREAM, CAN'T I?, three young ladies who set the bar for female trios The Andrew Sisters...doesn't get any better than singing with Patty, LaVerne and Maxine with our favorite crooner...but the closing song on this disc "MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU", featuring Bing, Nat and the Andrew Sisters with lyrics that completely touches your heart...entire collection is the music my parents heard when they were young...this is not only what was known as Pop Music of the day, but also some classic Jazz, Boogie Woogie and Swing thrown in for good measure.
The second disc...Bing meets Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (just happen to be my two favorite duet people on the planet)..."BASIN STREET BLUES", "DREAMER'S HOLIDAY", "THAT'S A PLENTY", "SILVER BELLS" (version 1) and "MEMPHIS BLUES" (version 1), featuring the "First Lady of Song" Miss Ella Fitzgerald at her peak and in her prime..."BLUEBERRY HILL" (version 1 & 2), "GONE FISHIN" (version 1), "LAZY BONES" (version 1), "A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON" (version 1)...listen as Satchmo affectionately calls our crooner "Papa Bing" whenever they are performing...beautifully sung harmonies plus impassioned solo performances which are unequaled in all of music radio history...as Bing and his guests are at the top of their form...Bing meets Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Shore, Jack Teagarden and Red Nichols celebrating the highlights of Bing's 20th Anniversary...Crosby was an institution of entertainment during the WWII era and the years there after...this compilation stands up so well today as it did decades ago.
On the final disc three...features Bing, Ella, Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Les Paul and The Mills Brothers...a few highlights "UP A LAZY RIVER/PAPER DOLL", with the Mills Brothers and Bing..."ISTANBUL", wonderful duet with Ella & Bing back in December 1953, catchy arrangement and classic performance..."SILVER BELLS", "RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER", "WHITE CHRISTMAS" and "MEMPHIS BLUES", touching tunes that are still around today...sung from the heart the way songs were performed back in the '40s and '50s...a solo piece of music "BLUE SKIES", with a beautiful rendition accompanied by Les Paul on guitar from Dec. 27, 1953...and another great American Standard "IT HAD TO BE YOU", step aside Harry Connick Jr. and Rod Stewart, Papa Bing is taking the stage and crooning this popular tune with the help of Red Nichols on cornet from Feb. 13, 1952...just the way we like 'em!
Hats off to Ken Barnes (compiled & producer), Kathryn Crosby (executive producer), Shawn Amos (A&R direction), Peter Reynolds (digital transfer, audio restoration and mastering), Shout Factory, Sony Music and of course the best crooner of them all...BING CROSBY!
Total Time: 3-CD-Box Set ~ Sony 31507 ~ (8/24/2004)"
It got that Swing
Marc S. Komisarow | Dunwoody, GA USA | 09/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bing Crosby for those of us who are Baby Boomers is probably best remembered for treacly Christmas shows in the sixties and seventies. Someone for the old fogies to remember their youth, but not of any real significance. This CD set makes me realize that Crosby is an essential for anyone who appreciates the American Songbook. Sinatra may have been "The Voice", but he took the baton from Crosby. Crosby began in the twenties before the microphone and revolutionized singing when he realized the uses of the new technology. (all technology is new at some point.) These immaculately remastered CDs of some radio shows from the 1940's feature: Andrews Sisters, Nat King Cole, Dinah Shore and the incomparable Louis Armstrong. Last but not least was my reason for buying the set: Ella Fitzgerald. Some of the songs are novelties and of no consequence, but the patter and the singing are top notch. This set of disks makes me more curious about the original crooner."