Bing and the Dixieland Bands
Bing and the Dixieland Bands | ||||
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Compilation album by Bing Crosby | ||||
Released | 1951 | |||
Recorded | 1942–1950 | |||
Genre | Popular, Dixieland | |||
Length | 23:15 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Bing Crosby chronology | ||||
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'Bing and the Dixieland Bands is a Decca Records album by Bing Crosby featuring songs with a Dixieland flavour which was issued as a 10” LP with catalog No. DL5323 and as a 4-disc 78rpm box set (A-852)[1] and as a 4-disc 45rpm set (9–232).[2]
Background
Crosby biographer Gary Giddins quotes Artie Shaw in his book who said “(Bing) really is the first American jazz singer in the white world.”[3] However his record producer Jack Kapp gradually moved Crosby away from his jazz influences into the mainstream.[4] Every now and again though, he would have the opportunity to return to his jazz roots at a recording session and this album picks up a selection of such tracks.
Newsweek magazine covered the January 1946 session when two of the songs in the album were recorded and it sounds like a good time was had by all concerned. ‘“Blue and Broken-Hearted”, the first number to be waxed, didn’t go so well. A large blue screen-like sound absorber stood between Bing and the boys. Kicking it aside, he commented: “Got to see if anybody’s alive out there.” Another run-through or two and, at his question: “Will this be the deathless disk? Shall we, men?” the side joined history. “After You’ve Gone,” went rather quickly. Although trouble loomed when Jack Kapp, president of Decca and Crosby-adviser-extraordinary on record policy, walked in and asked if “Wild Bill” Davison’s trumpet ought to stay so dirty. “You go back to the board of directors if you make one more remark,” Crosby said. “I’ve flown these boys in at great expense. Eddie flew in without a plane.”[5]
Reception
The sides had all been previously issued as singles and “Feudin’ and Fightin’” reached No. 9 in the charts in 1947. Reviewers’ comments include:
Walking the Floor Over You – Again brother Bing goes on a Western kick with Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats. And for this trip he has picked a classic that for many weeks has been the top tune favorite at all the grange halls and hoe-down temples along the cattle trails. .. The charm, of course, lies in its naturalness and simplicity, which makes it just right for Crosby.[6]
Feudin’ and Fightin’ – In high order in striking rhythmic style is his vocal fancying for the catchy mountain novelty “Feudin’ and Fightin’,” bringing out all the mountain humor of the lively ditty. The Jesters join their voices with Crosby on the chant with Bob Haggart’s music providing pert rhythmic beats...“Feudin’ and Fightin’” will find its way into jukes.[7]
Jamboree Jones – Wonderfully gay and light-hearted Crosby effort on this collegiate paean of Johnny Mercer’s with superb support from The Tattlers and the Haggart backing.[8]
The Dixieland Band – Another easy-flowing, happy rhythm novelty slicing which falls into the two-beat revival trend. Der Bingle delivers a completely relaxed job to an excellent Haggart backing.[9]
Track listing for 10" LP
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performed with | Length |
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1. | "The Dixieland Band" (April 8, 1950) | Bernie Hanighen, Johnny Mercer | Bob Haggart and His Orchestra | 2:36 |
2. | "Jamboree Jones" (April 8, 1950) | Johnny Mercer | Bob Haggart and His Orchestra, and The Tattlers | 3:02 |
3. | "Walking the Floor Over You" (May 27, 1942) | Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats | 3:08 | |
4. | "When My Dream Boat Comes Home" (May 27, 1942) | Dave Franklin, Cliff Friend | Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats | 2:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performed with | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Blue (and Broken Hearted)" (January 16, 1946) | Lou Handman, Grant Clarke, Edgar Leslie | Eddie Condon and His Orchestra | 3:03 |
2. | "After You’ve Gone" (January 16, 1946) | Turner Layton, Henry Creamer | Eddie Condon and His Orchestra | 3:10 |
3. | "Feudin’ and Fightin’" (May 8, 1947) | Burton Lane, Al Dubin | Bob Haggart and His Orchestra, and The Jesters | 3:15 |
4. | "Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye" (May 8, 1947) | T. H. Allen | Bob Haggart and His Orchestra, and The Jesters | 2:37 |
[10]
Personnel
Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats Yank Lawson (trumpet); Floyd O'Brien (trombone); Matty Matlock (Clarinet); Eddie Miller (tenor sax); Jess Stacy (piano); Nappy Lamare (guitar); Bob Haggart (string bass); Ray Bauduc (drums).[11]
Eddie Condon and His Orchestra Wild Bill Davison (trumpet); Brad Gowans (trombone); Joe Dixon (clarinet); Bud Freeman (tenor sax); Gene Schroeder (pianist on “Blue (and Broken Hearted)”); Joe Sullivan (pianist on “After You’ve Gone”); Eddie Condon (guitar).[12]
References
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. June 30, 1951.
- ^ "45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ Giddins, Gary (2001). A Pocketful of Dreams. New York: Little, Brown and Company. p. 265. ISBN 0316881880.
- ^ Giddins, Gary (2001). A Pocketful of Dreams. New York: Little, Brown and Company. pp. 311-312. ISBN 0316881880.
- ^ "Newsweek". Newsweek. January 28, 1946.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. July 18, 1942.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. July 26, 1947.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. May 13, 1950.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. May 13, 1950.
- ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". A Bing Crosby Discography. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "The Chronological Bing Crosby". Jonzo CD sleeve notes. 33 (JZCD-33). 2003.
- ^ "The Chronological Bing Crosby". Jonzo CD sleeve notes. 45 (JZCD-45). 2006.
- v
- t
- e
- Music of Hawaii (1939)
- Victor Herbert Melodies, Vol. One (1939)
- Patriotic Songs for Children (1939)
- Cowboy Songs (Bing Crosby's first solo album) (1939)
- Victor Herbert Melodies, Vol. Two (1939)
- George Gershwin Songs, Vol. One (1939)
- Ballad for Americans (Bing Crosby's first solo studio album)(1940)
- Favorite Hawaiian Songs (1940)
- Christmas Music (1940)
- Star Dust (1940)
- Hawaii Calls (1941)
- Small Fry (1941)
- Crosbyana (1941)
- Under Western Skies (1941)
- Song Hits from Holiday Inn (w/ Fred Astaire) (1942)
- Merry Christmas (1945)
- Selections from Going My Way (1945)
- Selections from The Bells of St. Mary's (1946)
- Don't Fence Me In (w/ The Andrews Sisters) (1946)
- The Happy Prince (1946)
- Selections from Road to Utopia (1946)
- Bing Crosby – Stephen Foster (1946)
- What We So Proudly Hail (1946)
- Favorite Hawaiian Songs, Vol. One (1946)
- Favorite Hawaiian Songs, Vol. Two (1946)
- Blue Skies (w/ Fred Astaire and Irving Berlin) (1946)
- Bing Crosby – Jerome Kern (1946)
- St. Patrick's Day (1947)
- Bing Crosby – Victor Herbert (1947)
- Cowboy Songs, Vol. One (1947)
- Selections from Welcome Stranger (1947)
- Our Common Heritage (1947)
- El Bingo (1947)
- The Small One (1947)
- The Man Without a Country (1947)
- Drifting and Dreaming (1947)
- Blue of the Night (1948)
- Selections from Showboat (1948)
- The Emperor Waltz (1948)
- St. Valentine's Day (1948)
- Bing Crosby Sings with Al Jolson, Bob Hope, Dick Haymes and the Andrews Sisters (1948)
- Selections from Road to Rio (1948)
- Bing Crosby Sings with Judy Garland, Mary Martin, Johnny Mercer (1948)
- Bing Crosby Sings with Lionel Hampton, Eddie Heywood, Louis Jordan (1948)
- Bing Crosby Sings the Song Hits from Broadway Shows (1948)
- Cowboy Songs, Vol. Two (1948)
- Auld Lang Syne (1948)
- Bing Crosby Sings Cole Porter Songs (1949)
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)
- Bing Crosby Sings Songs by George Gershwin (1949)
- South Pacific (1949)
- Christmas Greetings (1949)
- Ichabod – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)
- Top o' the Morning / Emperor Waltz (1950)
- Songs from Mr. Music (w/ Dorothy Kirsten and The Andrews Sisters) (1950)
- Go West Young Man (w/ The Andrews Sisters) (1950)
- Collectors' Classics, Vols. 1–8 (1951)
- Way Back Home (1951)
- Bing Crosby Sings the Song Hits from... (1951)
- Bing and the Dixieland Bands (1951)
- Yours Is My Heart Alone (1951)
- Country Style (1951)
- Beloved Hymns (1951)
- Bing and Connee (w/ Connee Boswell) (1952)
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1952)
- Themes and Songs from The Quiet Man (w/ Victor Young) (1952)
- Selections from the Paramount Picture "Just for You" (w/ Jane Wyman and The Andrews Sisters) (1952)
- Road to Bali (w/ Bob Hope and Peggy Lee) (1952)
- Le Bing: Song Hits of Paris (1953)
- Some Fine Old Chestnuts (1954)
- Bing Sings the Hits (1954)
- Selections from White Christmas (w/ Peggy Lee and Danny Kaye) (1954)
- Bing: A Musical Autobiography (1954)
- The Country Girl / Little Boy Lost (1955)
- Merry Christmas (later version of 1945 78rpm album) (1955)
- Shillelaghs and Shamrocks (1956)
- Home on the Range (1956)
- Blue Hawaii (1956)
- High Tor (w/ Julie Andrews and Everett Sloane) (1956)
- A Christmas Sing with Bing Around the World (1956)
- Anything Goes (w/ Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor and Zizi Jeanmaire) (1956)
- High Society (w/ Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, and Louis Armstrong) (1956)
- Songs I Wish I Had Sung the First Time Around (1956)
- Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings (1956)
- Bing with a Beat (1957)
- A Christmas Story (1957)
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1957)
- New Tricks (1957)
- The Bible Story of Christmas (1957)
- Never Be Afraid (1958)
- Jack B. Nimble – A Mother Goose Fantasy (1958)
- Fancy Meeting You Here ( w/ Rosemary Clooney) (1958)
- Around the World with Bing! (1958)
- Bing in Paris (1958)
- That Christmas Feeling (1958)
- In a Little Spanish Town (1958)
- Bing’s Buddies and Beaus (1959)
- Say One for Me (w/ Debbie Reynolds and Robert Wagner) (1959)
- How the West Was Won (w/ Rosemary Clooney) (1960)
- Join Bing and Sing Along (1960)
- Bing & Satchmo (w/ Louis Armstrong) (1960)
- Songs of Christmas (1960)
- 101 Gang Songs (1961)
- El Señor Bing (1961)
- My Golden Favorites (1961)
- The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
- Bing's Hollywood (set of 15 albums) (1962)
- On the Happy Side (1962)
- I Wish You a Merry Christmas (1962)
- Holiday in Europe (1962)
- Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre (1963)
- Return to Paradise Islands (1964)
- America, I Hear You Singing (w/ Frank Sinatra and Fred Waring) (1964)
- Robin and the 7 Hoods (w/ Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.) (1964)
- 12 Songs of Christmas (w/ Frank Sinatra and Fred Waring) (1964)
- Bing Crosby Sings the Great Country Hits (1965)
- That Travelin' Two-Beat (w/ Rosemary Clooney) (1965)
- The Summit (w/ Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.) (1966)
- Bing Crosby's Treasury – The Songs I Love (1966)
- Bing Crosby and The Columbus Boychoir Sing Family Christmas Favorites (w/ The Columbus Boychoir) (1967)
- Thoroughly Modern Bing (1968)
- Bing Crosby's Treasury - The Songs I Love (1968 version) (1968)
- Hey Jude/Hey Bing! (1969)
- Goldilocks (1970)
- A Time to Be Jolly (1971)
- Bing 'n' Basie (w/ Count Basie) (1972)
- Rhythm on the Range (1972)
- I’ll Sing You a Song of the Islands (1972)
- A Southern Memoir (1975)
- That's What Life Is All About (1975)
- A Couple of Song and Dance Men (w/ Fred Astaire) (1975)
- Tom Sawyer (1976)
- At My Time of Life (1976)
- Bing Crosby Live at the London Palladium (1976)
- Feels Good, Feels Right (1976)
- Beautiful Memories (1977)
- Bingo Viejo (1977)
- Seasons (Bing Crosby's last studio album released during his lifetime) (1977)
- A Little Bit of Irish (posthumous edition, recorded in 1966) (1993)
- Bing Crosby: The Voice of Christmas (1998)
- On the Sentimental Side (posthumous edition, recorded in 1962; Bing Crosby's latest studio album) (2010)
- Dixie Lee (first wife)
- Gary Crosby (son)
- Dennis Crosby (son)
- Phillip Crosby (son)
- Lindsay Crosby (son)
- Kathryn Crosby (second wife)
- Harry Crosby (son)
- Mary Crosby (daughter)
- Nathaniel Crosby (son)
- Denise Crosby (granddaughter)
- Larry Crosby (brother)
- Bob Crosby (brother)
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