White Christmas
Product Description
No Description Available.
Genre: Christmas Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 7-OCT-1997Amazon.com
Try to forget the fact that Bing Crosby probably never had to record another song in his life after he immortalized “White Christmas.” If you can do that, you’ll find plenty more to like in this crooning Christmas collection. There’s the Romantic Bing, charming the tinsel right off the tree with “The Christmas Song,” and that cure for cabin fever, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” There’s the Reverent Bing, solemnly singing “Adeste Fideles.” And of course, there’s Bing the Showman, belting out “Good King Wenceslas” with a bit of that ole vaudeville shine. But no matter what you’re told, “White Christmas” will be the number one reason for sticking this one in your stocking. And who can blame you? It’s as timeless now as it was way back when. –Steve Gdula
5 Responses
For general information, this album (according to allmusic.com originally released – probably as 78 rpm disks – in 1949) was originally titled “Merry Christmas.” The record I have (pressed somewhere near 1964 by the advertisements on the inner sleeve) is listed as Decca DL 8128.
This is a good record. The main oddity is the inclusion of “Faith of Our Fathers,” an old-line Catholic, non-Christmas hymn. I never have enjoyed “Mele Kalikimaka.” Bing was in his best voice, and the numbers with the Andrews Sisters are excellent examples of 40s swing. The album probably doesn’t say much to modern listeners, being unabashedly religious, but represents a true Christmas classic from an earlier generation.
Rating: 4 / 5
how can anyone go wrong w/ bing crosby?? i love this album. had it as a cassette tape way b/4 cds. can’t have a christmas without bing! he’s the best of crooners 
Rating: 3 / 5
Bing was an eclectic singer who dabbled extensively in many genres of music: Hawaiian, Irish, cowboy songs and of course, Christmas music, which is showcased here. This is an excellent introduction for those who don’t have other Crosby CD’s in your collection or who want to hear his “holiday” side. It contains his standard hits which have been recycled time and again on other anthologies. Most Bing-ologists will have all these songs in their collection, some of them many times over. But if you are new to Crosby, this is an acceptable choice and I guarantee that you will become hooked on Bing’s magnificent voice. It’s quite weak on his earlier work and it does contain some curious omissions, but then again, Bing didn’t sing Christmas music much until the early 1940’s. Yet there are some stellar songs included as well, like one of personal favorites, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” One of his greatest recordings.
For the novice Crosby-Christmas fan, this set is perfect for several reasons: not only does it give you a fine overview of Bing’s career, the sound quality is exceptional. The packaging of the set is excellent and it even includes some nicely written liner notes with a synopsis of Bing’s Christmas songs and musical style, as well as an explanation of his tremendous musical impact upon the 20th century.
Other reviewers have complained about the sound quality on this set. I am puzzled at this criticism. I have most of these songs on casette, vinyl and some even on their original 78 and 45 issues. The sound quality here is quite acceptable and good on most tracks. This set will give you many hours of enjoyable listening and help you branch off into other Crosby CD’s which includes his lesser-known vocals. Hopefully this collection will convince you that Bing’s vocal mastery was unparalled. Then you can sample his earlier, jazz-influenced work during his Columbia years in the early 30’s and branch off into his 20’s work with the Rhythm Boys. But for the beginning Crosby listener, this is as good a choice as any. I highly recommend this set. Enjoy!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is one of 3 Christmas albums I grew up with. I was so happy to get it on CD a few years ago. I love this album, now all I have to do is get the other two.
I think “Mele Kalikimaka” is my favorite song on this album.
Rating: 4 / 5
Very good classic music. Great to listen to all year round. Got the order quick and well packaged.
Rating: 4 / 5