The Best of Bing Crosby - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters [Original recording remastered]

Bing Crosby | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000C23DJ
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,959 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally - 'christmas is a comin', November 16, 2003

By 

Damnyankee "Cygnus X-1" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best of Bing Crosby - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

i've loved this song since i heard it as a kid on a 'various artists' type comp my dad had.

been looking for it for years; finally , it's on this release.

the sound is excellent, white christmas was transferred from a very good quality commercial pressing instead of the orignal master because the original is not in good shape i guess, but the song sounds great here.
just the best Bing Crosby Christmas collection you'll find anywhere i'd say.

Bravo!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bing Crosby...a Necessary Element of Christmas, March 31, 2008

By 

Scott Baret (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Bing Crosby - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

Bing Crosby is practically as much a part of Christmas for me as Santa Claus and snowmen. When I was four, I heard "White Christmas" for the first time and was mesmerized by Bing's amazing voice. The following year, my mom took me on an outing to the local record store and I bought "Merry Christmas", the old tape containing all of Bing's most well-known Christmas songs. It was later re-released as a CD entitled "White Christmas". Up until last year, I would play that album non-stop in December.

When I was out doing my Black Friday shopping last year, I came across this album. Curious to see what was on it, I flipped it over and saw that I had missed out on many other great Bing Crosby Christmas songs. I promptly purchased it and stuck it in my CD player as soon as I got home.

All my old favorites were there, such as "White Christmas" and the uptempo "Jingle Bells" featuring the prominent clarinet solo. The other tracks were instant hits with me. I was familiar with most of the songs but one in particular stood out--"Christmas Is A Comin'". Others who own this CD seem to agree that it is truly a unique song, one that isn't heard every day. It's catchy, fun, and easy to tap your foot to!

Also worth noting is the 1942 version of "White Christmas". It's somewhat different than the 1947 recording, which is the one that usually gets played on the radio and included on Bing Crosby albums (including the "Merry Christmas"/"White Christmas" collection). This is explained in the album liner, which contains a wealth of information about Bing Crosby and his Christmas music.

I highly recommend this album for anyone who celebrates Christmas or anyone who enjoys Bing Crosby. The selection of music, unique songs, and well-written liner make this my top pick for a Christmas album, dethroning even the old standby from my childhood.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine Bing Crosby Christmas collection, December 1, 2007

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Best of Bing Crosby - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters (Audio CD)

Bing Crosby sang so well everyone still remembers him as one of the greatest vocalists of the twentieth century; and this CD of Christmas time hits proves why Bing was so popular. Bing makes a Christmas song sound like a beautiful, flawless symphony.

The album has many highlights; it opens with Bing singing "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas." Bing sings this to perfection; and the backup vocalists harmonize very well, too. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" gives us a more traditional ballad that Bing sings without a superfluous note; and I really like "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" with Bing and The Andrews Sisters. They do it up right for "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!" This is one number that really swings brightly.

The Christmas Carols medley works well as Bing and the backup vocalists never miss a beat; and we get a relatively hard to find "Christmas Is A Comin'." Love that backup choir on "Christmas Is A Comin'," too!

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" is easily one of my favorites; this melancholy ballad is very beautiful and Bing sings this with great sensitivity and panache. Of course, "White Christmas" follows along the same lines although I was disappointed that "White Christmas" is apparently taken from a radio recording with a fair amount of surface noise--why didn't they use the studio recording of "White Christmas?"

"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a much lighter, upbeat melody that you're sure to enjoy; and "Here Comes Santa Claus" with The Andrews Sisters continues the fun.

The artwork reflects good judgment. The liner notes themselves are nothing special but they sure are better than nothing!

I strongly recommend this CD for fans of classic Christmastime standards; and fans of Bing Crosby will be delighted to play this holiday album at Christmas time.