Jazz / Vocal, Vocal Pop, American Popular Song, Traditional Pop, Tin Pan Alley Pop, Vocal Jazz
Bob Crosby & His Orchestra Accompaniment Bob Crosby's Bobcats Accompaniment Brunswick Studio Orchestra Accompaniment Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Accompaniment Eddie Cantor Introduction Geoff Milne Producer, Transfers, Compilation, Liner Notes George Stoll Accompaniment Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians Accompaniment Harry Barris Piano Isham Jones & His Rainbo Orchestra Accompaniment Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra Accompaniment Jimmy Grier & His Orchestra Accompaniment John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra Accompaniment Ken Darby Singers Accompaniment Lani McIntyre and His Hawaiians Accompaniment Lennie Hayton Orchestra Director Lennie Hayton & His Orchestra Accompaniment Les Paul Trio Accompaniment Mills Brothers Performer Paul Pelletier Coordination The Andrews Sisters Performer Vic Shoen & His Orchestra Performer Victor Young & His Orchestra Accompaniment
The two-disc, 50-track collection Too Marvellous for Words boasts virtually all of Der Bingle's massive hits of the 1930s and '40s, beginning in 1931 (his first chart-topper, "Out of Nowhere") and ending in 1948 (his last, "Now Is the Hour"). And though producer Geoff Milne ignores the usual standby for compilation track listings (straight chronological order), his grouping of songs by themes works very well; late on the first disc comes a series of Crosby's later out-West gems, that period when he swung lightly and seemingly without a care ("San Fernando Valley," "I'm an Old Cowhand," "Swinging on a Star," "Don't Fence Me In," "Alexander's Ragtime Band"). His crooner lyrics appear throughout the second disc: "Sunday, Monday or Always," "Love in Bloom," "It's Easy to Remember," "Soon," "Moonlight Becomes You." The sound is solid as well, though the notes and accompanying information are far too brusque for the weight of Crosby's career. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide |