Customer Reviews

Definitive Collection

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Definitive Collection is a single CD retrospective of some of Bing Crosby's finest artistry. Naturally, a single CD with twenty-two tracks can't possibly be all of the very "best of" Bing's work; but as a single CD compilations it's one of the stronger ones out there. The sound quality is pretty good and the artwork is very nicely done.

"Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day)" starts the CD off with Bing singing his very best--and really, when you think about it, was there ever a time when he DIDN'T sing his very best? SMILE Bing sings this very sweetly and although there's some minor surface noise it doesn't really interfere much with the beauty of this track. "Stardust" is another earlier recording by Bing; and he sings this beyond perfection. He also gets to show off his wide vocal range on "Stardust" and the musical accompaniment works well for "Stardust." There's also Bing performing "Pennies From Heaven;" Bing sings this with panache and it's no wonder he was considered the best crooner ever! (Well, maybe with the lone exception of Frank Sinatra.)

"You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" features Bing's vocals squarely in the spotlight; and this version of this popular tune gets a fine big band style arrangement that uses the brass to great advantage. "White Christmas" is one of the best selling records of all time; and Bing was the only crooner who could ever have made this so. Bing delivers this melancholy ballad with all his heart and soul; and this impresses me greatly. "Swinging On A Star" puts Bing in the center and the backup vocalists sing perfectly as well.

"Don't Fence Me In" showcases Bing's vocals and you won't be disappointed! The Andrews Sisters join up with Bing for this number and they do a wonderful job of singing along with Bing. "It's Been A Long, Long Time" also shines like pure gold when Bing performs this classic ballad; I predict that you'll enjoy "It's Been A Long, Long Time" very much.

"Alexander's Ragtime Band" has Al Jolson singing this duet with Bing; and together these two superb singers render this tune fresh, energetic and enjoyable every time you hear it! Al and Bing never sounded better! "In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening" sounds like a more recent recording by Bing, Jane Wyman with Four Hits And A Miss; and he sings this with his buddies in grand style.

In short, Bing Crosby fans will want this album--it's really very good. I will take off one star for the surface noise on the first several tracks and the slightly misleading title that claims this single CD is a "definitive" collection when a true "definitive" collection would have to include so much more. I also recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals.

Calling a single disc "definitive" with an entertainer as protean and prolific as Crosby is presumptuous if not misleading. I love Crosby's early work in the '30s, from the melodramatic ("Out of Nowhere") to the jazz and scat ("Shine"). None of that material is represented here. Also missing is his later sterling performance with Bob Scobey's jazz band, including his early, arguably best, version of "Mack the Knife." Nevertheless, this collection at least begins to represent the remarkable multicultural and stylistic diversity of a singer who, far more than the "modern ironical temperament" represented by the individualist Sinatra, sang for and of the "community." Still, the single disc "Bing's Gold Records," a chronological presentation of all 21 recording-breaking records, is the more representative, useful approach toward Crosby's versatility and singular appeal.

A very good disk, but you have to be a certain age to really appreiate it. Bing was the best for many years and this is a pleasant way to remember the old boy. It's well worth the money to bring back the memories. Some of you younguns could benefit by listening to the King. In Prescott, AZ have a good day.

I grew up with a radio glued to my ears during the 60's, always listening to contemporary pop/rock - everything that came out from 1960 forward. I just never imagined myself listening to anything else but the Beatles, etc., especially music my parents thought was the best like the Mills Bros - Great! I do remember loving crooners like Perry Como, even when I was a toddler, but now I've come full circle. Like everything, Mom and Dad were right. Hearing Bing is like discovering a new sense. I mean, it's so enjoyable to hear this fantastic music and Bing's voice. This CD is calming and has a cool vibe that reminds me of simpler and more enjoyable times. It captures a melancholy tone that appears to be missing in today's music that often sounds so textbook to me, lacking the human touch. I guess I could be criticized for simply becoming older and consequently, less hip, but man, I really enjoy this music. It is just sensational and maybe it takes a knucklehead like me to finally realize, decades later, just how fabulous it really is. If you enjoy music and appreciate being reflective, I suggest buying this CD. Bing offers something that is really difficult to find in today's male artists. I like it so much, I bought an extra for a gift for someone else.

It's called "The Definitive Collection," and it isn't. Such a volume would include some of Crosby's early work with Paul Whiteman, then his later brilliance with the Mills Brothers. Any "definitive collection" of Crosby work would contain his "St. Louis Blues" recording with Duke Ellington in 1930 or so.

This music is perfectly good, but I bought it for a friend who had just begun to appreciate Crosby. In that regard, it is a disappointment.

THIS CD A GREAT ONE- SOME OF THE BEST ALL TIME SONGS SUNG BY THE MASTER. THERE ARE A FEW GOOD CDS ONLINE HERE THAT IS A MUST FOR ANY FANS OF MR. C. BING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MUSIC BUSINESS NOT DYING AND IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAREERS OF MARTIN, SINATRA, COMO, BENNET , DAMONE AMD ALL THE LESSER KNOWN. WATCH CROSBY UP AGAINST MARTIN AND SINATRA AND HE BLOWS THEM AWAY. SEE THE GROANER VS. THE CROONER IN HIGH SOCIETY AND WATCH CROSBY WIPE THE FLOOR WITH HIM.MARTIN A FAVORITE ALWAYS GAVE BING HIS ADULATION, SINATRA AT FIRST DID THAN GOT COCKY. THERE IS CROSBY ON THE THRONE AND THE REST OF HIS SUBJECTS. LISTEN AND CLOSE YOUR EYES AND GO WITH BING.

I bought this for my husband, who is a Bing Crosby fan, and Not being a fan, I actually enjoy it and listen to it more than he does.....

This is an excellent Bing Crosby's music selection for the first listening. After buying this one I've became a great fan of him. Now I'm getting his films and reading his life. If it is your first CD from Crosby, get this one and you will like it very much.

"Sunday, Monday, or Always" as the song says, any time is a wonderful time to listen to the cd. Everything Bing Crosby sings is a job to hear. Pure joy and great fun.

For all the generation that thinks this style music is out dated and lame, I just want them to know that this is part of the foundation that other music came from. It is artists like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby that music sprang up. It was new it was original and it was amazing to listen to, back than and today. I believe that in order to understand today, you much look back and understand where we came from and give credit to the greats.