Credits and Links.
"Bing Crosby - A Discography, Radio Program List and Filmography" by Timothy A. Morgereth, published by McFarland & Company Inc 1987. This has comprehensive listings of takes of the 78 rpm era, including discarded takes, personnel etc. There is also a fairly complete listing of the main radio series to 1954, (though some errors have been noticed), and of the films with personnel, plotlines and essential information.
"The Crosby
Collection 1926-1977" by Fred Reynolds, published in five volumes, by
the ICC, uncertain date (late 1990s?).
This contains an excellent title by
title commentary with clear critical analysis, and a breakdown - almost minute
by minute - as to what can be heard, and which musicians are participating. Mr
Reynolds does not pull his punches, and is ready to say when even the greatest
make a mess of things. It is strongly recommended to anyone wanting to listen to
Bing's recordings with an informed ear. The take references and the personnel
listings are not as comprehensive as Morgereth, but more useful as the takes are
limited to those actually circulated in some form and the key contributions of
individual players are noted. In my view the most essential of all the reference
works.
"Bing Crosby's
Commercial Recordings", compiled by F. B. (Wig) Wiggins published by
the ICC 2001.
A comprehensive listing of all issued titles with performers
and matrix numbers and including one CD on which each title may be found. Highly
recommended as the most up to date paper based source (the Chronological series
themselves excepted) for information as to the original recordings, but
unhappily of limited use as a reference to other CD issues.
I would also not be without -
"Alternate Bing
Crosby" by Colin Pugh published by the ICC (2nd edition)
1988.
This has a highly detailed analysis of the differences between
alternate takes and different recordings of the same titles, which is so
organised that with it you can normally tell which take you are listening to,
even without the alternative to compare it with.
Biographies.
For those interested in a biographical approach, rather than details of song titles and recordings, there are two books which stand out above all others -
"Bing Crosby - A Pocketful Of Dreams - The Early Years - 1903 - 1940" by Gary Giddins published by Little, Brown and Company, 2001. Giddins is a noted writer and commentator on jazz and his approach combines informed musical analysis with classic biography. The next volume is anxiously awaited.
"Bing Crosby, Day By Day" by Malcolm Macfarlane published by The Scarecrow Press, Inc, 2001. This is precisely what it implies on the cover - a recital of Bing's daily activities throughout his career - what he was recording. filming etc, where, and when, his sporting activities and so on, clearly very deeply researched. Malcolm is the editor of "Bing Magazine" and has jointly written a distinguished biography of Perry Como.
"The Crosby Years" by Ken Barnes published by St Martin's Press N.Y. 1980. Mr Barnes produced six of the last albums recorded by Bing during 1975 - 1977, was responsible for the highly successful orchestral overdubbing of many titles that Bing had recorded for radio in the 1950s with a small instrumental group, and has been responsible for the digial restoration and issue on CVD or a number of Bing's films. This book contains a first hand account of those years plus a short biography with much other interesting material from a professional with deep involvement in the music business.
International Club Crosby Publishers of many useful books and the quarterly magazine "Bing". Membership is essential for the dedicated enthusiast because of the informative nature of the magazine and access to unusual material circulating amongst members.
The Bing Crosby ICC Facebook Page - Particualy recommended even for non members of the International Club Crosby for early news about new issues, relevant TV and radio programmes and other wide ranging matters.
"BING Magazine" (clicking on the Radio button then also links to the Lionel Pairpont radio listings mentioned in the "Notes" section).
Sepia Records who issue the series "Through the Years", a chronological series of CDs covering Bing's output from 1950 onwards. This series continues from the "Chronological Bing Crosby" series issued by Jonzo Records. The two together make a very near complete sequence of all commercial recordings from 1926 to (so far) late 1953. Essential if you want a comprehensive collection with well researched and accurate notes.
Jasmine Records who have issued a series of recommendable CDs, particularly the "Going Hollywood" series of four 2 CD sets covering films from 1930 to 1949 with a well chosen mix of soundtrack and studio versions of the film songs.
Mosaic Records - who issued a remarkable set of seven CDs of musical tracks originating from the short radio shows of the mid 1950s. Highly recommended.
Collector's Choice Music who issued an outstanding series of remastered CDs. For North American purchasers, this company also stock Jasmine Records, noted above.
Unhappily by far the most valuable on line resource for Crosby fans, Steven Lewis's Bing Crosby Internet Museum (to which this page previously carried a link), was taken down on 13th January 2010, apparently in consequence of pressure from Bing Crosby Enterprises. It's loss is a considerable blow to many fans who remain shocked and puzzled at the removal of a site which was extraordinarily rich in information, news, and informed comment. It had supported the memory of Bing for many years, and it's loss will be very hard for many committed fans to forgive.
New sites have sprung up as a direct consequence, though one with promising potential vanished quite rapidly. Noteworthy is:-
The Bing Crosby Free Speech Forum maintained by Steve Fay. The participants on this forum are particularly active and the site is a source of news and informed comment.
Other sites of interest are:-
The Bing Crosby Video Archive has an interesting collection of video clips from film and TV
Bing Crosby on Yahoo. moderated by Mike McGregor.
For statistical facts and comparative analysis relating to sales, standing in record charts and the like, both The Pop Music Hall Of Fame and The Most Popular Entertainer of the Twentieth Century offer facts in their own different ways.
There are a sources of downloadable old radio shows at Old Time Radio Nework and Radio but the audio quality is very variable.
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