03 February 2012

Gone Fishin' with Louis Armstrong

45:"Gone Fishin'" is a song written in 1950 by Nick Kenny (1895-1975) and Charles Kenny (1898-1992), and recorded by Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong in 1951. It was a hit in the United States. It was preceded by Bing & Gary Crosby's hit recording of "Moonlight Bay" (hence the reference to Gary on "Gone Fishin'") and followed by "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (with Jane Wyman).

U.S. double LP that includes "Gone Fishin'":Listen to Bing & Louis perform "Gone Fishin'":
...and now, an English lesson: "The song title, and its usage within the lyrics, are an example of the use of the verb 'to go' together with the gerund of a verb which is a leisure activity or, as in this case, the meaning of the verb as a leisure activity is understood."

03 January 2012

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree

An alternate pressing with a "punch-out" center, possibly meant for export to the U.S.:Bing's 1973 recording of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree", written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown, arranged and conducted by Billy Byers:

03 December 2011

Around the World

"Around the World" was the theme tune from the 1956 movie Around the World in 80 Days. It never actually featured with the lyrics in the Around the World in Eighty Days film, but it is the vocal version which has by far become the better known. It was written by Harold Adamson (words) and Victor Young (music). Bing Crosby's recording of "Around The World" was a hit on the United States music charts in 1957, and was also popular in Australia in October-December of 1957.

Bing's "Around The World" was issued as a 45-rpm 7-inch phonograph record. The flip side was an instrumental version of the same tune:"Around The World" was included on the 5-LP set Bing: A Musical Autobiography:Bing: A Musical Autobiography was also issued as a box set of 45 rpm records. Here's the 45 of "Around The World":Listen to Bing sing "Around The World":

06 November 2011

When I Take My Sugar To Tea

Bing Crosby sings "When I Take My Sugar to Tea". Written by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal and Pierre Norman, published 1931. Recorded and released in the 1950s, Decca.

"When I Take My Sugar To Tea" appeared on these microgroove vinyl releases:

Four-song EP: New Tricks...Bing Crosby with Buddy Cole and his trioLP:Twelve-song LP: New Tricks...Bing Crosby with Buddy Cole and his trio"Bing Crosby the plumber sings When I Take My Sugar to Tea while preparing to take his sugar out at the beginning of the 1932 short Dream House."

03 October 2011

True Love

"True Love" was written by Cole Porter, published in 1956. Introduced by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly in the musical film High Society. The Crosby–Kelly version, accompanied by Johnny Green's MGM studio orchestra, arrangement by Conrad Salinger, was also a popular recorded version of the song. Kelly's contribution on the record is relatively minor, duetting with Bing on only the final chorus. Nonetheless, the single is co-credited to her. True Love is the name of C.K. Dexter Haven's yacht, on which he and Tracy Lord honeymooned off the coast of Maine. They are fictional characters in the play The Philadelphia Story, on which the musical is based.

"True Love" appeared in these analog formats:

Duet with Rosemary Clooney:
Duet with Grace Kelly, US release:Duet with Grace Kelly, UK release:Listen to the Crosby-Clooney recording of "True Love" here:

03 September 2011

Summer Wind


Bing Crosby - "Summer Wind" (Recorded September 1977 and released in 1977). Music by Heinz Meier a.k.a Henry Mayer, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, 1965. Produced by Ken Barnes, arranged by Pete Moore. Recorded at CBS Studios, Whitfield Street, London. From the last album Bing recorded, Seasons. (The visual part of this video is partially irrelevant; someone's self-promotion. The song plays just fine.)
Released by Polydor Records on an LP album and cassette tape titled Seasons.Bing also recorded "Summer Wind" for a BBC broadcast, later released on an LP titled The Final Chapter - His Last Songs Ever Recorded.

"Summer Wind" was also recorded by Peter Duchin, Wayne Newton (who recorded it first), Frank Sinatra (who had the biggest hit with it), Roger Williams, and by "The Columbia Musical Treasuries Orchestra And Chorus".

03 August 2011

That's What Life Is All About


Bing Crosby With The Pete Moore Orchestra - "That's What Life Is All About" (1975). Produced by Ken Barnes. Recorded in London. Written by Ken Barnes, Bing Crosby, Peter Dacre, and Les Reed. Bing's humble answer to "My Way", at the age of 71. This is one of 15 songs that include a Crosby writing credit. It made the Easy Listening chart in the US, and also the UK Singles Chart.

Released by United Artists Records on a 7-inch 45 rpm single, and an LP album titled That's What Life Is All About. The LP includes a reprise of the song.
There's also a "live" video version. Not a lip-sync: