Everyone knows Bing Crosby. My children, now 23 and 19, grew up very aware and very respectful of Bing’s songs. His legacy is important in that he respected life and every style of music that rose to the surface because of it. His capacity for trying new musical styles and to be successful with his experimentations is a hallmark of his talent and key to his longevity and his fame.

Universal and Decca Records along with packager extraordinaire, Andy McKaie, together have compiled a collection of 50 of his best from his years with Decca and put them in a nicely designed 2CD collection. Every style of music that Bing released is represented here. From his early hits to his swing years and his film songs to his country and western periods, Bing brought his inimitable vocals to everything that he could touch. Even his popular Christmas tunes are here.

Bing Crosby’s legendary performances span across the world and are still enjoyed by many. In this year, the 100th anniversary of his birthday, every label that Bing Crosby recorded for has something in the works to commemorate this event. It’s impossible to say which period of Bing’s recording career were the best as his prolific output was outstanding over many phases of his life.

Bing’s more than fifty years in the spotlight began in the mid 20s and continued on until his death in Spain at the age of 1973. He has recorded with some of the world’s finest recording acts in addition to his own solo career, including a team up with David Bowie to sing the popular recording of “The Little Drummer Boy”.

Universal’s “Bing Crosby: A Centennial Anthology of His Decca Recordings” is a remastered affair that truly needs no introduction. Bing Crosby’s honeyed voice won the affection of several generations. The hope of Universal is to bring up a new generation of Crosby fans. This album is an excellent primer to that end. However, parents need to expose their children to this quality in a seed environment. During my youth, my father played Bing and other performers. I ignored, of course. But over the last 15 years, my heart went back to those “veiled” songs that I ignored and my appreciation was sealed. This was effected simply because I heard Bing in the background. How much better admiration will come out of this if you point out the qualities. Parents – do as I did. Let your children hear these timeless recordings. They may not take to them now, but you can bet they’ll revisit them in later years.

Songs such as the “The Bells of St Mary’s”, “Far Away Places”, and “Harbor Lights” provide a section of the memorable tunes that are on this set. And if you don’t remember those, his Christmas offerings are well known. There is the beautifully sung “Silent Night”, the dreamy “White Christmas”, and several more. Additionally, his version of the Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish classic, “Star Dust” is included as well as his duets with The Andrew Sisters. I certainly don’t envy the job Andy McKaie had in deciding which songs best represented these Decca years.

The booklet is a beautifully assembled commentary on the Decca years as well as Bing Crosby’s various style ventures. There are photographs and credits with an extensive track listing.

All in all, this set provides a nicely rounded compilation for fans with explorative material for the uninitiated. Although Bing is physically gone from us now, he is alive in his music.

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Bing Crosby
A Centennial Anthology of his Decca Recordings

Released: May 6, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time Disc One: 1:15:41
Time Disc Two: 1:13:26
Tracks: 50
Produced by: Andy McKaie
Engineered by: N/A
Mixed by:N/A
ReMastered by: Doug Schwartz at Mulholland Music, N Hollywood, CA
Style: Studio/Compilation
Format: CD
Enhancement: Digital Remaster
Label:MCA/Decca Records
Website:
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June in January
Pennies From Heaven
I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams
Moonlight Becomes You
Sunday, Monday or Always
Swinging On a Star
The Bells of St Marys
Blue Skies
It's Been a Long, Long Time
I Can't Begin to Tell You
Ol' Man River
You Are My Sunshine
San Fernando Valley
Sioux City Sue
Dear Hearts and Gentle People
Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
Jingle Bells
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Silent Night
White Christmas
Red Sails in the Sunset
Now is The Hour
Far Away Places
Harbor Lights
Around The World