Bing: A Musical Autobiography

Bing: A Musical Autobiography
Box set by Bing Crosby
Released	1954
Recorded	April 21-June 19, 1954
Genre	Vocal
Label	Decca
Producer	Buddy Cole
Bing Crosby chronology
Selections from White Christmas (1954) Bing: A Musical Autobiography (1954) The Country Girl / Little Boy Lost (1955)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

Bing: A Musical Autobiography was Bing Crosby's fourth Decca vinyl LP, recorded and originally released in 1954.

The album was released as both a set of five 12" LPs (DX-151) with 89 songs and a set of seventeen 45-rpm EPs (ED-1700), also with 89 songs, each for $27.50. Both box sets came in a hinged box with a jeweler's lock and key and included a 24-page discography.^[1] Decca released the individual LPs separately starting in 1958.^[2]

Crosby, in a retirement mood by 1954, got together with Buddy Cole and his Trio, a small group formed from members of the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, and re-recorded many of his early hits between April and June 1954. The original Decca masters were used for his hits starting with the 1938 recording of "Small Fry."^[3] and the original Decca masters are annotated in the listing below with the year of the recording. Crosby's narration smoothly links each track. Most of the new recordings were done at the American Legion Hall in Palm Springs, California.^[4]

A September 1954 Decca advertisement for A Musical Autobiography described it as "the most-talked about [and] the fastest-selling record album in history." NBC's radio network aired a two-hour tribute to Crosby that promoted the album on Sept. 26, 1954, at 6 p.m.^[5]

Crosby's prose memoir, Call Me Lucky, was published in June 1953 by Simon & Schuster. It was written with Pete Martin.^[6]

The LPs were originally issued as automatic couplings which would enable the five LPs to be played on an autochanger record player in chronological sequence. For instance, within album set DX-151, LP no. DL 8072 contained sides 1 and 10, DL 8073 sides 2 and 9, DL 8074 sides 3 and 8, DL 8075 sides 4 and 7, DL 8076 sides 5 and 6.

The Musical Autobiography tracks were reissued as a four CD set in Japan in 1992 without change from the original 5 LPs (MCA (Japan) CD: MVCM24003). Avid Entertainment in the UK released a four disc set in 2005 but with the addition of a quantity of film soundtrack and film promotional material from the 1930s. (AVID (UK) CD: AMBX 147 (AMSC 825).^[3]

Reception

In an enthusiastic review of the set, John S. Wilson writing in the New York Times, commented; "The first half of the program in which Crosby talks about his early days and sings his early hits is an unalloyed joy, a field day for nostalgians. In view of complaints that have been made off and on for the past fifteen years that the Crosby voice was gone, that he no longer had the old touch, it is a particular pleasure to hear these early songs recorded within the past year, sung with all the old Crosby ease and charm...This is an exceptional collection of recordings, the summation of a landmark in American popular music and well worth the asking price."^[7]

Allmusic's John Bush called A Musical Autobiography "the most laborious exercise in Crosby's entire career, narrating a career history and re-recording dozens of songs." It was also issued to commemorate Decca's 20th anniversary. Billboard reported, "Decca's merchandising displays consist of a life like window or floor display of Bing Crosby, mounted on an easel and with Crosby holding a copy of his musical autobiography titled simple, 'Bing.' This set ... is the firm's big push for the fall."^[8]

Personnel for re-recordings

Buddy Cole (piano and organ); Perry Botkin (guitar); Don Whitaker (bass); Nick Fatool (drums).

Track listing

SIDE ONE

1. "Muddy Water" (Peter DeRose / Harry Richman / Jo Trent) - 1.58
2. "Mississippi Mud" - 2.19
3. "My Kinda Love" - 1.35
4. "I Surrender Dear" - 2.37
5. "It Must Be True" (Harry Barris / Gus Arnheim / Gordon Clifford) - 1.13
6. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" - 2.34
7. "Out of Nowhere" - 1.53
8. "Just One More Chance" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) 2.12
9. "Stardust" - 2.09
10. "Sweet and Lovely" (Gus Arnheim / Harry Tobias / Jules LeMare) - 1.57
11. "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" - 1.43
12. "Paradise" (Nacio Herb Brown / Gordon Clifford) - 1.42

SIDE TWO

1. "Please" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 2.04
2. "Just An Echo in the Valley" (Harry M. Woods / Jimmy Campbell / Reg Connelly) - 1.47
3. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance" - 1.51
4. "Learn to Croon" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 1.33
5. "Down the Old Ox Road" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 1.20
6. "Thanks" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 2.08
7. "Black Moonlight" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 2.34
8. "The Day You Came Along" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 1.57
9. "After Sundown" (Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed) - 1.44
10. "Temptation" - 2.07
11. "Love Thy Neighbour" (Harry Revel / Mack Gordon ) - 1.35
12. "May I?" (Harry Revel / Mack Gordon ) - 1.47
13. "Love in Bloom" - 1.45

SIDE THREE

1. "I Love You Truly" - 1.56
2. "June in January" - 1.45
3. "Love Is Just around the Corner" - 1.10
4. "It's Easy to Remember" - 2.16
5. "Soon" (Rodgers and Hart) - 2.00
6. "I Wished on the Moon" - 2.03
7. "Silent Night" - 1.39
8. "I'm an Old Cowhand" - 1.22
9. "I Can't Escape from You" (Richard A. Whiting / Leo Robin) - 1.49
10. "Song of the Islands" (Charles E. King) - 1.33
11. "Pennies from Heaven" - 1.52
12. "Sweet Leilani" - 1.36
13. "Blue Hawaii" - 2.15
14. "The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)" (Del Lyon / Lani McIntyre) - 1.45

SIDE FOUR

1. "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky" (Charles Kenny / Nick Kenny) - 2.33
2. "My Heart Is Taking Lessons" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 1.30
3. "I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 1.24
4. "Small Fry" (with Johnny Mercer) (1938) - 3.35
5. "Mexicali Rose" - 2.05
6. "That Sly Old Gentleman" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 1.43
7. "Allá en El Rancho Grande" (Emilio D. Uranga / Bartley Costello) - 1.01
8. "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" - 2.05
9. "Only Forever" - 2.04
10. "Did Your Mother Come from Ireland?" (Michael Carr / Jimmy Kennedy) - 2.03
11. "Yes Indeed!" (with Connee Boswell) (1940) (Sy Oliver) - 3.29
12. "Brahms' Lullaby" - 1.27

SIDE FIVE

1. "You Are My Sunshine" (1941) - 3.03
2. "The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid" (with Mary Martin and Jack Teagarden) (1941) (Johnny Mercer) - 3.35
3. "Deep in the Heart of Texas" (1942) - 3.01
4. "Wait 'Till the Sun Shines, Nellie" (with Mary Martin) (1942) - 2.57
5. "Walking the Floor over You" (1942) - 3.30
6. "White Christmas" (1942) - 3.20

SIDE SIX

1. "Moonlight Becomes You" (1942) -3.33
2. "Road to Morocco" (with Bob Hope) (1944) (Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke) - 2.49
3. "Sunday, Monday or Always" (1943) - 2.54
4. "Pistol Packin' Mama" (with The Andrews Sisters) (1943) - 3.18
5. "San Fernando Valley" (1943) (Gordon Jenkins) - 3.24
6. "I'll Be Seeing You" (1944) - 3.08

SIDE SEVEN

1. "Swinging on a Star" (1944) - 2.51
2. "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" (1945) - 3.30
3. "Don't Fence Me In" (with The Andrews Sisters) (1944) - 3.32
4. "Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta (Talk, Talk, Talk)" (with Judy Garland) (1945) - 3.31
5. "It's Been a Long, Long Time" (1945) - 3.26
6. "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945) - 3.27
7. "Put It There, Pal" (with Bob Hope) (1944) (Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke) - 2.48

SIDE EIGHT

1. "MacNamara's Band" (1945) - 2.59
2. "Sioux City Sue" (1945) - 3.00
3. "Begin the Beguine" (1944) - 4.08
4. "South America, Take It Away" (with The Andrews Sisters) (1946) (Harold Rome) - 3.26
5. "Blue Skies" (1946) - 3.38
6. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (with Al Jolson) (1947) - 3.21

SIDE NINE

1. "The Whiffenpoof Song" (1947) - 3.18
2. "Now Is the Hour" (1947) - 3.23
3. "Galway Bay" (1947) - 3.20
4. "Far Away Places" (1948) - 3.24
5. "Mule Train" (1949) - 3.14
6. "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" (1949) - 3.04
7. "Rock of Ages" (1949) - 3.17

SIDE TEN

1. "Sunshine Cake" (with Carol Richards) (1949) (Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke) - 3.28
2. "Play a Simple Melody" (with Gary Crosby) (1950) - 3.16
3. "Sam's Song" (with Gary Crosby) (1950) (Lew Quadling / Jack Elliott) - 3.11
4. "Gone Fishin'" (with Louis Armstrong) (1951) - 2.52
5. "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (with Jane Wyman) (1951) - 3.43
6. "Y'All Come" (1953) (Arlie Duff) - 2.41
7. Bing Crosby signs off - 0.56

Bonus tracks (on the Avid Entertainment 2005 CD release)

When Bing: A Musical Autobiography was re-released as a 4-CD set in 2005, the label added bonus tracks that had no connection with the original album. These tracks were sourced from Bing Crosby's radio shows, publicity discs and from his short film soundtracks. The audio quality varies according to source.

'Paris Honeymoon' selection (from Kraft Music Hall, June 28, 1945):^[9]

1. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 1.14
2. "The Funny Old Hills" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 1.29
3. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 0.37
4. "You're a Sweet Little Headache" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 1.12
5. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 0.36
6. "I Have Eyes" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 2.10

'The Star Maker' selection (from Kraft Music Hall, April 19, 1945):^[10]

1. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 1.06
2. "An Apple for the Teacher" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 0.47
3. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 0.21
4. "Still the Bluebird Sings" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 0.40
5. Banter between Ken Carpenter and Bing Crosby - 0.16
6. "A Man and His Dream" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 1.57

'I Surrender Dear' 1931 film soundtrack selection:

1. "I Surrender Dear" - 1.31
2. "Out of Nowhere" - 1.08
3. "At Your Command" (Harry Barris / Harry Tobias / Bing Crosby) - 1.55

'One More Chance' 1931 film soundtrack selection:

1. "Magic C.O.D." (a parody of "I Surrender Dear") - 1.07
2. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" - 2.22
3. "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" (Lew Brown / Sidney Clare) - 1.03
4. "Just One More Chance" (Arthur Johnston / Sam Coslow) - 3.22

'Dream House' 1931 film soundtrack selection:

1. "When I Take My Sugar to Tea"(Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal / Pierre Norman) - 0.48
2. "It Must Be True" (Harry Barris / Gus Arnheim / Gordon Clifford) - 1.18
3. "Dream House" (Earle Foxe / Lynn F. Cowan) - 1.11

'Billboard Girl' 1931 film soundtrack selection:

1. "Were You Sincere?" (Vincent Rose / Jack Meskill) - 1.24
2. "For You" (Joe Burke / Al Dubin) - 1.11

'Sing, Bing, Sing' 1932 film soundtrack selection:

1. "In My Hideaway" (K. L. Binford) - 1.22
2. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" - 0.50
3. "Lovable" (Harry M. Woods / Gus Kahn) - 1.12
4. "Snuggled on Your Shoulder" - 1.48

'Blue of the Night' 1932 film soundtrack selection:

1. "My Silent Love" (Dana Suesse / Edward Heyman) - 0.35
2. "Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear" (Milton Ager / Ed G. Nelson / Al Hoffman /Al Goodhart) - 1.41
3. "Ev'ry Time My Heart Beats" (Benny Davis / Gerald Marks) - 1.39
4. "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" - 2.37

From 'The Big Broadcast' publicity discs:

1. Banter between Stuart Erwin and Bing Crosby (take 1) - 1.18
2. "Here Lies Love" (take 1) (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 3.13
3. Announcement by Sam Coslow - 1.41
4. "Please" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 2.35

'Please' film soundtrack selection:

1. "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me" - 1.12
2. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You" - 2.09
3. "Please" (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 1.49

From 'She Loves Me Not' publicity discs:

1. "Love in Bloom" (with Kitty Carlisle) - 3.26
2. "Straight from the Shoulder" (with Kitty Carlisle) (Harry Revel / Mack Gordon) - 3.28
3. "I'm Hummin', I'm Whistlin', I'm Singin'" (Harry Revel / Mack Gordon) - 3.15

From 'Two for Tonight' publicity discs:

1. "Two for Tonight" (Harry Revel / Mack Gordon) - 3.32

From 'Doctor Rhythm' publicity discs:

1. Introduction by Gayne Whitman - 0.47
2. "This Is My Night to Dream" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 2.53
3. "On the Sentimental Side" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 1.35
4. "Only a Gypsy Knows" (with Beatrice Lillie) (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 2.42
5. "My Heart Is Taking Lessons" (James V. Monaco / Johnny Burke) - 2.31

From 'Birth of the Blues' publicity discs:

1. "The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid" (with Mary Martin and Jack Teagarden) (Johnny Mercer) - 4.05
2. "My Melancholy Baby" - 2.35

From 'The Big Broadcast' publicity discs:

1. Banter between Stuart Erwin and Bing Crosby (take 2) - 1.13
2. "Here Lies Love" (take 2) (Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin) - 3.15

References