Centennial Anthology of Decca Recordings [Original recording remastered]

Bing Crosby | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B00008RV07
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,998 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bing Crosby has been called the "Voice of the Century," a title that's rooted in considerably more art and accomplishment than mere show-biz hype. Others may have scaled more spectacular peaks during the 20th century, but one could make a well grounded argument that without Crosby's pioneering vocal artistry the careers of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley might well have never blossomed. This 50-track double-disc anthology chronicles the most productive years of the crooner's career, a period that spans the early '30s to the mid-'50s; his final years at RCA largely rested on the laurels garnered herein. His rich, effortlessly dreamy baritone has become a pop-culture cliché, but it was in fact as radically pioneering in its day as anything the King or the Chairman of the Board would muster in later decades. Radio and modern electronic recording were in their infancy on many of the '30s hits here, yet Crosby mastered both with preternatural grace--and an innate, jazz-born sense of timing--he later brought to his successful film and TV careers. What's remarkable here is the breadth of styles and influences Crosby's dulcet tones make there own here. The dizzying slate here includes standards and early hits ("Star Dust" and "Where the Blue of the Night" in Decca re-recordings of his original Brunswick sides), country-western ("New San Antonio Rose," "Don't Fence Me In"), island exotica ("Sweet Leilani," "Blue Hawaii"), Irish affectations ("McNamara's Band," "Galway Bay"), holiday favorites ("Silent Night," "White Christmas") and film hits ("Pennies From Heaven," "Swinging On a Star"), performances that represent the very cornerstone of American vocal tradition. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Sampler!, February 27, 2004

By 

Ramona (Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centennial Anthology of Decca Recordings (Audio CD)

I bought 9 copies of this - one for myself, one for each of my seven siblings, and one for my parents. Growing up, we had lots of Bing Crosby music in the house (along with various other wonderful artists). I gravitated to Bing, and my siblings remember that - and were tickled to receive these 'samplers' during in Bing's 100th year. Why? Because, while Bing wasn't their favorite, he was *A* favorite of theirs, yet they had nothing of his on CD! The variety of themes reminds us how vast Bing's repetoire was.

The song selection is a perfect introduction - or re-introduction, if necessary - to Bing's Decca years. The sequencing is perfect for the casual fan, and the notes are informative and educational without a hint of preachiness.

This collection is a MUST for any general music lover - it'll broaden their senses and their knowledge of America's first true entertainment superstar. My thanks to the team who put this gem together!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two and one half hours of recorded bliss!!!!, January 3, 2004

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Centennial Anthology of Decca Recordings (Audio CD)

For years, I have been searching for a comprehensive collection of Bing Crosby's Decca recordings. Since his career at Decca spanned a quarter century, and because he was such a prolific artist, it seemed that I might never find what I was looking for. But this collection, released in 2003 has it all.
Here you will find a compendium of Crosby at his absolute best.
You'll hear the great standards such as "Stardust" and Pennies From Heaven". You'll enjoy tunes from his movies including "The Bells of St. Mary's", and "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra".
Hear several of his classic Irish recordings as well as a few numbers with the Andrews Sisters. Then there's Bing with some country and westerm cuts and oh so much more. Included in this 2 CD package are a number of his biggest hits that I have not seen on other collections including "June in "January", "Moonlight Becomes You" and one of my personal favorites "Dear Hearts and Gentle People." The recordings are of very high quality and the set is accompanied by a neat 20 page booklet containing some very informative liner notes and interesting photographs. Although my first reaction was that this collection was a bit expensive I am happy that I purchased it. If you are a huge Crosby fan, break down, just this once and grab this one. As a record collector for nearly 40 years I have long since learned that when you see an item this good, you'd best get it while you can. Very highly recommended!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to the Crosby magic, July 7, 2003

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centennial Anthology of Decca Recordings (Audio CD)

This is a pleasing introduction for those who don't have other Crosby CD's in your collection. It contains his standard hits which have been recycled time and again on other anthologies. Most Bing-ologists will have all these songs in their collection, some of them many times over. But if you are new to Bing, this is an acceptable choice and the sound quality is very good. It's a little weak on Bing's earlier work and it does contain some curious omissions. Yet there are some stellar songs included as well, like one of personal favorites, "Sioux City Sue..." adorable!

Hopefully this collection will convince you that Bing's vocal mastery was unparalled. Then you can sample his earlier, jazz-influenced work during his Columbia years in the early 30's and branch off into his 20's work with the Rhythm Boys. But for the beginning Crosby listener, this is as good a choice as any.