BEST OF/20TH CENTURY

Crosby. Personnel includes: Bing Crosby (vocals); John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra, Williams Brothers Quartet, Ken Darby Singers, Georgie Stoll & His Orchestra, Les Paul Trio, Perry Botkin's String Band, The Andrews Sisters, Vic Schoen & His Orchestra, Bob Haggart & His Orchestra, Matty Matlock's All Stars, Buddy Cole & His Orchestra. Recorded between 1944 and 1950. Includes liner notes by Joseph Laredo. This is part of MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series. Liner Note Author: Joseph F. Laredo. Recording information: Hollywood, CA (08/19/1936-03/14/1957); NY, NY (08/19/1936-03/14/1957). You'd be hard-pressed to find a better introduction to the music of Bing Crosby than this 12-track best-of, part of MCA's 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection. All the major biggies are aboard, covering a time frame from 1944 to 1957 ("Swingin' on a Star," "White Christmas," "Don't Fence Me In," "Dear Hearts and Gentle People," "MacNamara's Band," "It's Been a Long, Long Time," "Pennies from Heaven") as well as other highlights from that period ("Far Away Places," a duet with son Gary on "Play a Simple Melody," and the theme song from "Around the World (In Eighty Days)"). Not everything that's essential to digging Crosby, but a darn good start. ~ Cub Koda

• Format: CD
• Released: 3/9/1999