 
|
BING CROSBY
A Centennial Anthology Of His Decca Recordings (MCA/Decca)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Like most Irish-American kids, Bing Crosby's music was part of my life from day one. Long before the Clancy Brothers popularized Irish pub songs or the Chieftains brought traditional music to international audiences, Crosby's recordings of Irish music hall tunes defined Irish music, and to no small degree, Irish identity, for first and second generation Americans. Of course, you didn't have to be Irish. With songs like "White Christmas" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas," Crosby put a permanent stamp on the holiday season.
Those were just a couple of the many dimensions of his career, though, which stretched from his tenure as the boy singer with Paul Whiteman's jazz band to his days as an amiable crooner, golf club in his hand and duet with David Bowie in his catalog. This two disc set is culled from the 22 year heart of his career as a Decca recording artist from 1934 to 1937, and is arranged in blocks of songs demonstrating the variety of styles and sources he absorbed and, often, redefined over the years.
Irish songs, Christmas songs, Hawaiian songs, swing tunes and more, performed solo or with other great vocalists or vocal groups, the fifty songs included on this compilation provide a fascinating look at Bing Crosby's multi-dimensional career and make up a must have set for any collector of great American popular music.
Track Lists:
Disc One: I Surrender, Dear * Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) * Star Dust * I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five And Ten Cent Store) * Please * Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day) * I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grand) * New San Antonio Rose * Pistol Packin' Mama * Don't Fence Me In * Sweet Leilani * Blue Hawaii * My Isle Of Golden Dreams * Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby) * McNamara's Band * Galway Bay * Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie * Road To Morocco * South America, Take It Away * A Couple Of Song And Dance Men * Alexander's Ragtime Band * In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening * You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby * Yes, Indeed! * South Rampart Street Parade
Disc Two: June In January * Pennies From Heaven * I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams * Moonlight Becomes You * Sunday, Monday Or Always * Swinging On A Star * The Bells Of St. Mary's * Blue Skies * It's Been A Long, Long Time * I Can't Begin To Tell You * Ol' Man River * You Are My Sunshine * San Fernando Valley * Sioux City Sue * Dear Hearts And Gentle People * Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy * Jingle Bells * I'll Be Home For Christmas * Silent Night * White Christmas * Red Sails In The Sunset * Now Is The Hour * Far Away Places * Harbor Lights * Around The World
© 2003 - Shaun Dale