Search - Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby :: Fun with Bing & Louis (1949-1951)

Bravo! Bravo!

Robert D. Glover Jr. | Linden, NJ USA | 03/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 1st cut starts with Crosby's theme song and then has a two minute (approx) dialog between Crosby and Armstrong in which they banter back and forth humorously. It's good, but I will probably skip to the 2nd cut when the banter starts on subsequent listenings. The quality of the radio shows is so high as to make today's TV shows seem like "amateur hour" by comparison. Armstrong was very highly revered by Crosby and it shows in the way Bing treats Louis on these cuts. There is a song in which Ella Fitzgerald joins Bing and Louis. There is a song in which Dinah Shore joins in. It all sounds so real and immediate, so full of life, that listening to it is almost like being transported back to the years 1949 to 1951. These two giants of music created in large measure America's sense of musical identity dring that era. This is a wonderful CD that I can't imagaine not being cherished by generations to come for as long as man is on this planet. I think it helps to read, as I have, Gary Giddins wonderful, and brief biography of Loius Armstrong, "Satchmo: The Genius of Louis Armstrong". It also helps to have read Gary Giddins' throrough biography of Crosby, "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams--The Early Years 1903-1940 ". (I'm half way through this excellent, but long, book). In summary, the more one knows about Bing and Louis, the more of their genius can be appreciated and savored. They knew each other since the 1920's and respected and admired each other. This is a great CD. Armstrong and Crosby cross-influenced each other, each trail-blazing and redefining jazz music in important ways. Hearing them together on one CD interacting with each other is a wonderful experience."

Absolutely Marvelous

T. Arenson | Brooklyn, NY | 08/01/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For any fans of either Crosby or Armstrong or for any lovers of great singing sand great Jazz, this is a must. Excerpted from Crosby radio shows of the late 1940's, both Bing and Satch are in top form and work wonderfully together. The musical joy is also shared by such greats as Jack Teagarden and Joe Venuti, the former joining duets with Armstrong and having his own solo numbers."

Fine compilation of numbers from the great Bing Crosby, Loui

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 09/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fine CD gives us tracks from radio recordings between 1949 and 1951 with Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong. It was no secret that these two men had a mutual admiration society for each other; and their performances were enhanced as a result of that. We also get tracks featuring Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Venuti on the same CD--wow!



The first track is an "introduction." The scripted words sound like natural, unrehearsed banter between Louis and Bing because they worked so well together. The REAL fun starts with "Lazy River;" Louis sings this with panache and he massages the lyrics to make "Lazy River" all his own. The trombone solo impresses me, too. "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" features Jack Teagarden singing this without a superfluous note. The upbeat jazzy melody for "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" enhances the number as Armstrong plays the trumpet to perfection. In addition, "Blueberry Hill" gets the royal treatment from both Bing and Louis as they sing "Blueberry Hill" with sensitivity and great care. Good backup chorus for "Blueberry Hill," too. We also get a second version of "Blueberry Hill;" this comes from a different radio performance which apparently was recorded one year earlier. Terrific!



"La Vie En Rose" sports a great arrangement for piano as Louis sings this as only he could. How romantic! Louis also plays the trumpet for "La Vie En Rose;" this bolsters this song greatly. "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" starts with some awesome but brief drum playing--when the horns come in the number begins to fly! Louis Armstrong sings this without a superfluous note to make his rendition the definitive rendition of this classic pop ballad.



We get two versions of "Gone Fishin'" taken from two different radio performances. The banter between Louis and Bing strengthens the song; and "Gone Fishin'" lacks nothing in their competent hands. The subtle differences between the two versions make each rendition special in its own way. "Memphis Blues" features Ella Fitzgerald singing her heart out with Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong; their voices never sounded better! The musical arrangement uses the horns to carry the bulk of the melody; and Ella, Bing and Louis make this number shine like gold!



The liner notes have great artwork; and the liner notes by Dave Dixon are adapted by Paul Pelletier. We get the song credits as well. The dates of the radio performances would have been nice; the tracks are connected by applause to hide the fact that these numbers are from more than one radio program.



Overall, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong made a formidable duo; and when they teamed up with the other artists on this CD together they all packed a powerful punch! I highly recommend this CD for fans of Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong; and people who enjoy the other artists will like this one, too.

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