16 Original World Hits (Aussie, Rainbow, RCD 9152) Rating: A
This is a great CD that was apparently only issued in Germany and Australia. It's out-of-print now, but I managed to snag a copy at Net CD in New Zealand (http://downtown.co.nz/netCD/index.html). What makes the CD so great, aside from the clear, sparkling sound (it is licensed, so was probably taken from the studio masters) is the fact that it is filled with many of Crosby's big hits of the late forties and early fifties that are very hard-to-find on CD.
It opens with a clear, punchy rendition of "Deep In the Heart of Texas," followed by the oppressive tropic heat of "Poinciana." Bing is not in the best voice on "Poinciana" (he's a bit strained on the higher notes), but the song definitely has atmosphere -- you want to peel your clothes off for the humidity in the air. The third track is an absolutely flawless master of his #1 hit from 1944, "San Fernando Valley" -- the sound here is definitely superior to the master used for MCA's "Legendary Years" set. I listen to these discs with a good set of headphones and I can detect no audible noise on this track at all. I actually checked the date of release because I wondered if it had been recorded on tape! Next up is "Amor" -- not one of my favorites, but very good sound. Then comes the lovely ballad, "Long Ago and Far Away." Some minor background noise on that one, but nothing distracting. "You Belong To My Heart" is another track that sounds as if it could have been recorded on tape (it wasn't). "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" was, however, as is evident in the almost noise-free source material for this hit from 1950. "A Gal In Calico" suffers from a minor amount of background noise, and there is a lack of clarity and detail in the sound. This is probably the worst sounding track on the disc, but it's far from awful. I just expected slightly better audio from a 1947 recording. No fault can be found in "Sioux City Sue" -- it is bright and lively, with great dynamic range and not a crackle or pop to be found anywhere. The corny "Ballerina" is almost enough to make one cringe, but the dynamic range is great, with only a trace of background noise. The brass crescendos are a bit harsh-sounding, but never distorted. "Moonlight Bay" is a treasure, both for the flawless sound and the priceless banter between Gary and Bing. "In A Little Spanish Town" is very hard-to-find on CD, and was one of Bing's final songs to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, way back in 1956 (but unfortunately only made it to #49). It is simply unbelievable that this song was recorded in the mid-fifties. It could have been recorded digitally -- the sound is that good. "Mule Train" is one of my favorite Crosby songs. Bing has so much fun cracking that mule whip: "Get along there, boy, yah!" It was recorded on tape, and the only fault that can be found is a slight lack of "bottom" to the sound. (Check out the version on the "My Greatest Songs" CD -- it has a bit more punch to it). "Riders in the Sky" is an odd song with a mournful, Old West feel, and Bing belts it out like there's no tomorrow. The sound is bright and full, but there is an audible crackle that runs throughout the entire track. "La Vie En Rose" has one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard, and Bing sings it with such ease and grace that it's almost breathtaking. The high notes are slightly strained, but this, to me, is one of the great Crosby ballads. The sound is clean as a whistle with great dynamic range. "Symphony," is the closing track on this disc, and while the sound quality is fine for 1946, the song just doesn't have a hook, in my opinion. This is not a song I would ever walk up the street singing -- it's just not catchy.
There are so many great, rare tracks on "16 Original World Hits" and the sound is so terrific that, overall, I would have to rate this as my second most prized Bing CD, second only to the Japanese "Bing Crosby Years" boxed set. Disc running time: 45:24. Track listing: Deep In The Heart Of Texas (2:43), Poinciana (2:37), San Fernando Valley (3:12), Amor (2:36), Long Ago And Far Away (2:56), You Belong To My Heart (2:27), Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy (3:29), A Gal In Calico (2:35), Sioux City Sue (2:48), Ballerina (2:30), Moonlight Bay (3:07), In A Little Spanish Town (2:15), Mule Train (2:56), Riders In The Sky (2:59), La Vie En Rose (3:04), Symphony (2:59).
My Greatest Songs (Germany, MCA, MCD 18348). Rating: A-
The sound is terrific on this sparkling collection from MCA, which I purchased through Tower Records Europe (www.towereurope.com). Track listing: Play a Simple Melody (with Gary Crosby), Mona Lisa, Swinging On A Star, Paper Doll, White Christmas (1947 version), Mule Train, Pennies From Heaven (solo version), My Blue Heaven (later version), Don't Fence Me In (with The Andrews Sisters), McNamara's Band (misspelled on the CD), Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (1945 version), The Whiffenpoof Song, Jingle Bells (with The Andrews Sisters), When My Baby Smiles At Me. Mule Train is the best sounding version I've heard of that song, and Pennies From Heaven has a hair less background noise than the version on the "Legendary Years" boxed set. Definitely worth owning. Running time: 41:32.
Best One (Japan, MCA, MVCM-2502). Rating: B+
I bought this from Footlight Records in New York, which has the greatest in-stock selection of Crosby I've ever seen. The sound varies from song to song -- the stuff that was recorded on tape sounds great, but some of the earlier material is in kind of rough shape. This collection contains some real rare gems, though. Among them: Changing Partners, Tea for Two (with Connie Boswell), the original issue take of "Sweet Leilani" (in rough shape, unfortunately -- if you're looking for a better sounding version of the A take of this, try the CD "Too Marvelous For Words" or "The Immortal"), the 1939 re-recording of I Surrender Dear and the 1956 recording of My Blue Heaven. Track listing: Begin the Beguine (very good sound for its age), La Vie En Rose, You Belong To My Heart, Play A Simple Melody, Dear Hearts And Gentle People, Changing Partners, Beyond The Reef, Here Ends The Rainbow, Harbor Lights, Sweet Lailani (misspelled on the CD), Sibony, Autumn Leaves, September Song, Mona Lisa, It's Been A Long, Long Time, Swinging On A Star, I Surrender Dear (1939 version), Tea For Two (with Connie Boswell), Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (1945 version), My Blue Heaven (1956 version), Some Enchanted Evening, Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day) (1939 version). This one is pricey since it's imported from Japan, but I still highly recommend it. Running time: 66:07.
Too Marvellous For Words (UK, Charly, CDGR 105) Rating: B+
This is a superb collection of 25 of Bing's #1 American hits. There is an error -- Charly used the wrong track for I Love You (Bing recorded two different songs by that name), but this collection is still well worth owning as an introduction to Bing's music. I got this at Footlight Records (www.footlight.com). The sound on this CD is quite good -- a bit muffled at times, especially on June In January and You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me. But it contains possibly the punchiest version I've ever heard of "San Fernando Valley" and probably the cleanest version I've ever heard of the 1947 "White Christmas." One of the better versions of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" that I've heard, too. Another treat is the original A take of Sweet Leilani, which was the original single issue before it was replaced by the now standard B take (and this one sounds like it was mastered at more or less the right speed, unlike the A take versions on other discs, which sound slightly speeded up). Track listing: Too Marvellous For Words (different take from US version), I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams, I'll Be Seeing You, You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me, Out Of Nowhere (bad sound on that one), Love In Bloom, Sweet Leilani (original issue), Swinging On A Star, I Love You (Grieg), Remember Me, Pennies From Heaven (solo version), Moonlight Becomes You, Sunday, Monday Or Always, Don't Fence Me In, Sierra Sue, Trade Winds, San Fernando Valley (better sound quality on this than on the "Legendary Years" set), The Moon Got In My Eyes, You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, June In January, Dinah (different take from US release version), Just One More Chance (with CBS Orchestra -- not the hit version), Brother Can You Spare A Dime, Three Little Words, White Christmas (1947 version). Running time: 76:25.
The Immortal (UK, Avid, AVC 535) Rating: B+
For those already acquainted with Avid CDs, you know that they take quite a bit of care with their releases. This generous sampling of 25 of Bing's songs (at 79:05 it is the single longest CD I own) is no exception. The masters aren't perfect -- a few of them sound very muffled (Love Is Just Around the Corner, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, The Very Thought Of You, Dancing In The Dark), and some are extremely harsh-sounding (My Kinda Love, I Surrender Dear), but overall the sound is uncommonly clean for recordings of the period. This CD contains the cleanest-sounding version I've heard so far of the original A take of "Sweet Leilani" (which was the original single version). If I Had My Way and How Deep Is The Ocean display the VERY annoying added "echo" effect, all too common on Bing Crosby CDs and big pet peeve of mine. But all in all this is a superb collection of recordings from Bing's early career. Track listing: Pennies From Heaven Medley (with Louis Armstrong and Francis Langford), Blue Prelude (this was originally supposed to be Brother Can You Spare A Dime -- they stuck a Blue Prelude sticker over it), I'm Through With Love (cleaner sounding than the version on "Legendary Years"), Mississippi Mud (Frankie Trumbauer version), Just One More Chance (CBS Studio Orchestra -- not the hit version), Cabin In The Cotton, Moon Of Manakoora, Just A Gigolo, I'm An Old Cowhand, Love Is Just Around The Corner, I Surrender Dear (1931 version), Let Me Call You Sweetheart, I've Got The World On A String, Sweet Leilani (Take A), The Very Thought Of You, I Wished On The Moon, 'Tain't So, Honey, 'Taint So, You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, If I Had My Way, Home On The Range, How Deep Is The Ocean, Dancing In The Dark, Here Is My Heart, My Kinda Love, Let's Call A Heart A Heart. Running Time: 79:05.