Search - Bing Crosby :: Bing Crosby 1926-1932

*EXCELLENT*

04/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the absolute best single-disc collection to deal with Bing's great jazz recordings prior to his tenure at Decca records. The music has been lovingly transfered by the legendary John R.T. Davies, perhaps most famous for his excellent restoration of the Louis Armstrong Hot Fives and Sevens for the JSP label.As the title suggests, the disc is a sampling from the 1926-1932 period, and features many classic performances along with a few rarities. Represented are numbers with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra (including Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer), The Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra, The Mills Brothers, and Crosby's own trio, The Rhythm Boys. We also glimpse the likes of Red Nichols, Glenn Miller, and Joe Venuti, and guitar legend and Crosby pal Eddie Lang pops up on multiple recordings.All the tracks are brilliant, so it is difficult to single out the best ones. One that does not appear frequently elsewhere is the jazz number One More Time with Gus Arnheim, a jumpin' track essential to any Crosby jazz collection. Another one we don't see represented often enough is the Rhythm Boys number So The Bluebirds And The Blackbirds Got Together, another version of which can be seen in the 1930 Paul Whiteman film, The King Of Jazz. There are so many classics here, Dinah with the Mills Brothers, St. Louis Blues with Ellington, The Spell Of The Blues with the Dorseys, that I could go on all day. You needn't take my word for it either, as this disc has also been recommended by Gary Giddins, imminent jazz critic and author of the masterful Crosby biography A Pocketful Of Dreams.Other fine discs which help deal with this period, and would compliment this one, are Bix 'N' Bing, Lost Columbia Sides, and It's Easy To Remember(4-cd box). A fine disc dealing with Bing's later jazz work at Decca Records is Bing Crosby And Jazz Friends.Enjoy."

Marvelous disc, showcasing the young Bing

Candace Scott | Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA | 09/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to find records which showcase Crosby's work with the Rhythm Boys, but this record contains much of his seminal early work. Bing's voice was a breathtaking instrument in these years, as these songs amply prove. I think his absolute height in range and expression was in the years 1931-1936, but in the 20's he had a quirky, husky and marvelous quality to his voice, as this record amply proves. If you're only familiar with the Crosy voice from the 40's and 50's, then you're in for a special treat. These recordings showcase Bing's more husky, jazz-influenced delivery, replete with scat singing, improvisations, banter with sidemen and absolutely dizzying vocal virtuosity. Perhaps the best song here is "One More Time," a jazzy, laid-back number which Bing sings with wonderful rhythm. "Make Believe" is another jazzy classic. Another gem is "St. Louis Blues," blessed with a killer vocal performance and jazz band backup. This is an outstanding collection and one which you transform a fence-sitter into a bonafide Crosby fan."

I like this Bing Crosby collection

John J. Murphy, Jr | Wantagh, NY, USA | 07/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have several albums of early Bing Crosby recordings, but I have found this particular collection very likable. Historically, the most noteworthy recording is the unissued take of "Pretty Lips" featuring Bing and his partner Al Rinker. This was waxed in 1926 in the first sessions Bing made with Paul Whiteman in Chicago. It was also recorded prior to Bing and Al bombing in New York since the Paramount Theatre was so huge they couldn't be heard. But the two new singers honed their craft and with the addition of Harry Barris, Whiteman's Rhythm Boys were born, and the rest is musical (oh, that cliché!) history. Some very fine samples of Crosby with Whiteman are represented. I really like "Changes" since it features the first Bix and Tram recordings with Whiteman, who also had the Dorseys in the band. Bing's vocal is young, fresh, and jazzy. The album leads us through Bing's vocal development through 1932 wherein he is a major star. If you want to discover the Crosby vocal roots, the sampler of recordings herein is a must have for any serious collector."