Search - Bing Crosby :: Bing's Gold Records

Judy F. (Judy) from JACKSONVILLE, FL
Reviewed on 8/7/2006...

Great CD.

Bravo

08/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bings pure voice rings out in this CD! Some rare recordings including "Sunday, Monday or Always" with only chior backup. Seems there was a strike by the bands at the time of recording. Also a particular favorite, "I Can't Begin to Tell You" is Bing with a simple piano and precussion accompanyment. Rare for Bing, but absolutely wonderful."

Bing sold his songs without even trying--and that's no small

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It goes without saying that Bing Crosby was one of the very, very best male vocalists of the entire twentieth century; and I dare say that it will be a very long time before we see another quite like him. This wonderful CD gives us 26 of his songs to enjoy over and over again.



The track set starts with "Sweet Leilani." This tune has a Hawaiian beat to it; the slow tempo enhances the romantic effect of this ballad. Lani McIntyre and His Hawaiians bolster this number. This early Bing Crosby recording shows his natural talent very early on in his illustrious career. Great! "White Christmas" remains the best selling song of all time; this melancholy ballad features Bing reminiscing about celebrating Christmas in simpler times when people were worth more than cold strings of computer code. The backup chorus helps to make the number special; but Bing outshines them by far. I've simply never heard a more beautiful Christmas song.



"Pistol Packin' Mama" is actually a somewhat humorous melody and the musical arrangement works well with its use of the horns. Listen for The Andrews Sisters themselves to help out on backup vocals. Great! "Jingle Bells" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" give us two more Christmas songs; "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is an especially beautiful, heartfelt ballad that gets the royal treatment from Bing. Bing performs "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with panache and all his heart and soul.



"Don't Fence Me In" features Bing again with The Andrews Sisters. Cole Porter wrote this as a spoof of country tunes; but with Bing and The Andrews Sisters to perform "Don't Fence Me In," Cole Porter hardly could have bombed! "Alexander's Ragtime Band" showcases what Bing can do with a classic--with Al Jolson joining in for even more fun. Bing swings gently as Al Jolson belts it all out--Bing and Al Jolson sure made a great duo! Their banter amuses me, too.



"Dear Hearts And Gentle People" sports a country feel to it; and "Play A Simple Melody" has a big band style melody as Bing and his son Gary croon this to perfection. "Sam's Song" is a playful tune again with father Bing and son Gary that provides a happy, strong ending for this album.



The liner notes include detailed notes about every song on this CD; and the artwork is well done. We also get the song credits and recording dates. Great!



Bing Crosby never disappointed his countless fans throughout the decades; and you won't be disappointed either if you get this CD. What a collection of hits!

"