A History of V-Discs

At the depth of World War II — July 31, 1942 — The American Federation of Musicians, headed by James C. Petrillo, went on strike to seek royalties from the record companies to finance an unemployment fund to compensate musicians who lost work because of competition from recorded music. The strike dragged on for more than a year, drastically reducing the production of new commercial recordings. Bing Crosby, for example, recorded no songs for commercial release during the first year of the strike.

The strike also cut off the supply of new recordings to the troops overseas. Robert Vincent, a sound engineer and a lieutenant assigned to the radio section of the Army Special Services Division, approached the War Department with the idea of recording music especially for the troops. He received approval from Washington in July 1943 and was transferred to the music section of Army Special Services, where the V-Disc program developed.

Vincent set up shop at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street in New York City. His first order of business was to secure the blessings, including waiver of all fees and royalties, from recording companies and unions, including the striking American Federation of Musicians. To get these waivers the Army assured the unions that V-Discs would be for use of military personal only and would not be available commercially. Moreover, the unions were promised that V-Discs would not be declared military surplus but would be destroyed, along with the masters, when no longer of use to the armed forces.

Next Vincent had to secure a name for the project — something more attractive than “Special Services Recordings.” A secretary suggested V-Discs, the “V” standing for Victory as well as Vincent.

The first V-Discs were shipped Oct. 1, 1943, from the RCA Victor pressing plant in Camden, New Jersey. The initial shipment included 1,780 boxes each containing 30 records.

A variety of sources were used for V-Discs: commercial recordings (both issued and unissued “alternate” takes), radio broadcasts, including some from the dress rehearsals of radio shows where no audience was present, film soundtracks, and special recording sessions, often at odd hours and including unusual combinations of musicians. On several occasions network broadcasts were arranged for the purpose of generating V-Disc material.

V-Discs were larger than commercial 78rpm records — 12 inches instead of 10 — and were often cut with as many as 136 grooves per inch so that more than 6 minutes of music could be included. The standard commercial disc was limited to less than 4 minutes per side.

The V-Disc program survived both the musicians’ strike and the War by several years. At the end of the War, Vincent left the army and recommended that the V-Disc program be discontinued. But production continued, although at a much reduced rate, until May 1949. During its 6-year run, the V-Disc program produced 900 unique discs containing 3000 separate recordings and shipped more than 8 millions discs overseas.

Although most of the unused V-Discs and their masters were dutifully destroyed, discs in the hands of service personnel found their way back to the United States and into various ‘bootleg’ collections. One fairly complete set of metal masters and issued V-Discs is in the hands of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

On the 50th anniversary of World War II, the musicians unions and record companies agreed to waive their ban on the commercial release of these recordings. E. P. “Digi” DiGiannantonio, who was in charge of the Navy V-Disc program during the War, began the process of transfering his personal collection of V-Discs to compact disc for public sale. This led to the release in 1998 of more than 70 of in a 4-CD package. Nearly all of Bing’s V-Disc material came from his 1943-48 radio broadcasts.

Adapted from: Sears, Richard S. V-Discs: A History and Discography, Greenwood Press, 1980.

BING CROSBY’S V-DISCS

MARK SCRIMGER, president of Club Crosby, from the liner notes for Broadway Intermission BR-129, Bing Crosby: The War Years:

Although his age and color-blindness kept him from directly serving in the Armed Forces during World War II, Bing Crosby contributed his great civilian talents to help defeat the Axis. His radio program, the Kraft Music Hall, became a traveling USO show which often broadcast from one of the many naval bases, air fields, and army camps located around the United States. These personal appearances were welcome relief and entertainment for troops who were shortly going to be shipped overseas to a rather uncertain future.

His broadcasts of this period are peppered with appeals to his audience to join in the war effort. He also introduced and explained many of the government’s new rationing plans to those on the “home front.” The success of many of these programs was often directly attributable to Bing’s promotion of them. The erroneous announcement one night of a minimum age requirement resulted in several thousand under-age volunteers having to be turned away the very next day. Bing was also a strong promoter of the various war bond drives via his radio program, several movie shorts he made, and through personal appearances like his tour with the Hollywood Victory Caravan. In mid-1944, Bing journeyed to Europe to entertain troops in the front lines and the shows he did for them remain treasured memories.

One of Bing’s less publicized activities was the recording done for use by military personnel at home and abroad. These 12-inch 78 rpms were made under the auspices of the , and all of the great singers and orchestras of the day, including Bing, contributed their talents free of charge to this government-sponsored recording program. After the war these innocent platters were given the death sentence. Judging by the small number that still exist today, the government’s efforts to demolish them were about 95 percent successful. The survivors, however, appear to have faced a fate worse than death. There seems to be no such thing as a mint or even near-mint condition one, although I’m sure they must have started out that way. Those remaining suffered untold abuse during the war and all succeeding years and are cracked, warped, scratched, and scarred generally to the point of inaudibility. But, because they contain so much non-commercial material, they are a valuable part of many, many record collections world-wide.

Most of Bing’s V-Disc recordings were taken directly from radio broadcast or rehearsal transcriptions and edited to fit on these discs. There are some notable exceptions, though, such as Bing’s vocals with the Tommy Dorsey and orchestras and the Sing-A-Long medleys. These appear to have been made at special recording sessions and hence are original material available from no other source. Listen to them and see why Bing Crosby was the fighting men’s favorite and their number one requested vocalist — as he was for virtually everyone the world over during the wartime 1940’s.

Introduction by WAYNE MARTIN, Club Crosby:

When I was about 15 years old, my cousin was discharged from the Navy and came home with a brand-new Philco phonograph (one of those with a drawer where you put the record you wanted to play) and a stack of records he had accumulated during his service years. Among these records was a small stack of V-Discs, including one or two with Bing Crosby. I was not allowed to touch the V-Discs, as he considered them to be “keepsakes” from the War. He said he had “liberated” them, and that he would get in trouble if anybody knew he had them.

Apparently a lot of G.I.s had the same idea. Because of the original agreements with the musicians’ union, the V-Discs were condemned to destruction once the project was over, but some of the unsecured ones were “lifted” by the servicemen and slipped into their duffel bags. These stolen or otherwise suspiciously-obtained discs now sit on the shelves of collectors around the world. More than eight million of these records were pressed. Only a very small percentage of these pressings still exists.

During the summer of 1998, Collectors Choice Music announced reissues of these discs by several musicians of the war era. The way had been cleared for this in 1995, when the restrictions on the discs were lifted. Among the artists chosen for reissue was Bing Crosby, and his fans were eager to hear these long-sought-after recordings. The resulting 4-CD set is a disappointment in several ways. Most of the tracks sound about as good as could be expected, considering the battered condition in which most of these old records are commonly found. However, at least as far as Bing is concerned, the collection is not complete. His versions of “Easter Parade” with Al Jolson and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” with Dinah Shore are among the missing items. Worse, there is absolutely no discographical information supplied with the set. It seems that at the very least the original Army/Navy record numbers could have been supplied, but apparently even this simple information was considered to be too much trouble. The set originally sold for nearly fifty dollars (price since reduced), and we could have expected more in the way of liner notes than was provided. Besides that, the set is rather cheaply put together.

There are other faults in this set. When I first listened to the CD’s, I was struck by the fact that some of the songs sounded more like studio recordings than broadcast transcriptions. This was especially true of “Please,” which to my ears sounded exactly like the old Brunswick recording. There were other problems having to do with timing and other questions in my mind. In an effort to get someone else’s input, I asked Steve Lewis to place the entire discography on his “Bing Crosby Museum” Internet site. It worked! Along came Lionel Pairpoint, who was making an exhaustive (and probably exhausting) study of the CD’s, comparing them to the actual V-Discs and to broadcast transcriptions which he had at hand. Malcolm Macfarlane of the International Crosby Circle informed me of Lionel’s work that was in progress and suggested that we run a corrected discography in BING, the I.C.C.’s newsletter, along with Lionel’s comments. This was done in the Spring 1999 issue. At least a dozen songs have been proved to be from other sources rather than V-Discs. Five are substitutions of commercial masters for the V-disc version, and the others involve substitution of other radio versions for the originals. Lionel’s corrections have now been added to the Internet discography and the printed copies which Club Crosby distributes.

At least we have most of Bing’s V-Discs in usable form on the CD set, and we have provided the discographical information here. In Club Crosby’s original study we turned to two sources: The Road to Bing Crosby: V-Disc Discography and Richard S. Sears’ book, V-Discs: A History and Discography. The former is silent as to its authorship, but is a supplement to The Road to Bing Crosby, a 4-volume work by Ralph Harding, Fred Reynolds, Bob Roberts and Derek Parkes. The latter was published in 1980 by Greenwood Press. Not all questions have been resolved, and readers are invited to send in corrections or additions. Now, at least, you can find out the source of most of these V-disc selections.

CORRECTIONS AND NOTES

In August 2014, David Currington duly submitted some corrections and notes following extensive research. These are shown separately from each entry.

CROSBY V-DISCOGRAPHY by Wayne Martin

The order of entry is: Title of song, composer/lyricist, Crosby film in which the song appeared, other performers, date and source of recording, matrix number, V-Disc number (Navy and Army), and LP and CD numbers.

Abbreviations: “Bwy.” = Broadway Intermission (LP);

“C.C.M.” = Collectors Choice Music (CD);

“J.S.T.” = Orchestra.

ADESTE FIDELES (Wade-Oakley). (In Latin) J.S.T. (From 12-21-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP-1221-D5TC170. V-Disc 221-A (Navy), 441-A (Army).

----- Skitch Henderson, piano, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Ken Carpenter. Audience joins in on second verse. (In Latin and English). (From 12-25-46 Philco Radio Time transcribed 12-9-46). JB336-D6TC6656. V-Disc 796-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND (Berlin). Al Jolson, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Al. (From 5-7-47 Philco Radio Time rehearsal transcribed 3-31-47). J452-D7TC7495. V-Disc 814-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ALL BY MYSELF (Berlin) (Film: Blue Skies). Al Jolson, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Al. (From 5-7-47 Philco Radio Time transcribed 3-31-47). J452-D7TC7495. V-Disc 814A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction: Bob Roberts “The Road to Bing Crosby (The V-Disc Supplement)” reveals that this is in fact a rehearsal from Philco of 7 May 47.

Identification: ALL BY MYSELF is the broadcast version but there are differences in the other two which can be identified by the absence from the V-Disc of comments made by Bing which appear in the broadcast. At approximately 1 min. 40 sec. Bing’s “Here now, steady” is missing from introduction to ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND as is his “And you look proud” at approximately 5 min. following Jolson’s line “I’d be the proudest fella” in EASTER PARADE.

ALLA EN EL RANCHO GRANDE (Uranga-Ramos-Del Moral-Costello). Community sing with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing. (From Army Signal Corps film soundtrack). VP1256-B42372. V-Disc unissued, but issued on a Sing-Along record, mx as shown.

ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS DANCE (Johnston-Burke). J.S.T. (From 3-15-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1306-D5TC270. V-Disc 484-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ALWAYS (Berlin) (Parody). Dick Haymes, Andy Russell, Dennis Day, Phil Harris O. (With fluff). (From 3-16-47 Jack Benny Lucky Strike Radio Show). JB447-D7TC7494. V-Disc 773-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

AMOR (Ruiz-Skylar). J.S.T. (From 5-18-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP680-D4TC-184. V-Disc 21-A (Navy); 241-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

AND SO DO I. See: SO DO I.

ARTHUR MURRAY TAUGHT ME DANCING IN A HURRY (Schertzinger-Mercer). J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Ken Carpenter. (From 5/17/45 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). JDB201-D6TC6045. V-Disc 729-A (Army). CD: C.C.M (unnumbered).

BACK TO DONEGAL. See: DEAR OLD DONEGAL.

BING CROSBY FLUFF. See: ALWAYS.

BLESS ‘EM ALL (Hughes-Lake-Stillman). Chorus, J.S.T. (From 5-25-41 Kraft Music Hall). VP706-D4TC201. V-Disc not issued, but a test pressing is known to exist.

BLUE HAWAII (Rainger-Robin) (Film: Waikiki Wedding). Chorus, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 12-7-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1070-D4TC552. V-Disc 525-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (Edwards-Madden). , James Sherman, piano (From 4-15-43 Kraft Music Hall) VP488-D4TC-53. V-Disc 109-A (Navy); 166-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

BY THE WATERS OF THE MINNETONKA (Caveness-Lieurance). Community sing, with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing. (From Army Signal Corps film soundtrack.) VP1255-B42371. V-Disc unissued, but issued on Sing-along record, mx as shown. CD: None.

CHRISTMAS SONG, THE (Tormé-Wells). Skitch Henderson, piano, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Ken Carpenter. (From 12-25-46 Philco Radio Time transcribed 12-9-46). JB337-D6TC6657. V-Disc 796-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

CLEMENTINE (Montrose). Music Maids & Hal Hopper, J.S.T. (From 6-14-41 Decca master DLA-2437). VP964-XP33785. V-Disc 337-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

COUNTRY STYLE (Van Heusen-Burke) (Film: Welcome Stranger). Chorus, J.S.T. (From 5-7-47 Philco Radio Time transcribed 3-31-47). JB453-D7TC7496. V-Disc 780-A (Army). CD: None. The 11-19-46 Decca master L-4329-A has been substituted on the CD set for the V-Disc version.

CRANKY OLD YANK IN A CLANKY OLD TANK, A. This Hoagy Carmichael song was never issued on a V-Disc but appears in the C.C.M. CD set. See: YANK AND A TANK, A.

CROSBY FLUFF. See: ALWAYS.

DARLING, JE VOUS AIME BEAUCOUP (Sosenko). J.S.T. (From 4-1-43 Kraft Music Hall). VP488-D4TC-53. V-Disc 109A (Navy); 166-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

DEAR OLD DONEGAL (Graham). Chorus, J.S.T. (From 3-14-46 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). JDB80-D6TC-5215. V-Disc 661-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

DEAR OLD GIRL (Morse-Buck). Charioteers, James Sherman, piano. Introd. by Bob Burns and Bing. (Source unknown). JDB51-XP35870. V-Disc 632-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction: DEAR OLD GIRL, including Bing’s spoken introduction, is identical to CP 169 and evidently sourced there or they share the same source.

“DIXIE” MEDLEY. See: SHE’S FROM MISSOURI; SUNDAY, MONDAY, OR ALWAYS; SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT. THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER, also in this medley, is by Rise Stevens, with intro. by Bing.

DOWN BY THE RIVER (Rodgers-Hart) (Film: Mississippi). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 1-18-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1201-D5TC144. V-Disc 557-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

DOWN THE OLD OX ROAD (Johnston-Coslow) (Film: College Humor). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 1-11-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1130-D5TC64. V-Disc 194-A (Navy); 414-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

EASTER PARADE (Berlin) (Film: Holiday Inn). Al Jolson, J.S.T. (From 5-7-47 Philco Radio Time rehearsal transcribed 3-31-47). J452-D7TC7495. V-Disc 814-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: None.

EMPTY SADDLES (Hill-Brennan) (Film: Rhythm on the Range). Ken Lane Singers, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 12-28-44 Kraft Music Hall). JDB186-D6TC6030. V-Disc 712-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

“FLEET’S IN” MEDLEY. See: TANGERINE; ARTHUR MURRAY TAUGHT ME DANCING IN A HURRY; I REMEMBER YOU.

FOR ME AND MY GAL (Meyer-Leslie-Goetz). Community Sing, with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing. (From Army Signal Corps film soundtrack). VP1236-D5TC189. V-Disc 203-B (Navy); 423-B (Army). Also issued on a Sing-Along record, mx VP1257-B42373. LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

FRIEND OF YOURS, A (Van Heusen-Burke), J.S.T. (Source unknown). FVP1333-D5TC296. V-Disc 243-A (Navy); 463-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

GOING MY WAY (Van Heusen-Burke) (Film: Going My Way). J.S.T. (From 6-29-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP856-D4TC287. V-Disc 81-A (Navy); 301-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

“HERE IS MY HEART” MEDLEY. Introd. by Bing. See: WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE; LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER; JUNE IN JANUARY.

HOT TIME IN THE TOWN OF BERLIN. See: (THERE’LL BE A) HOT TIME IN THE TOWN OF BERLIN.

I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU (Whiting-Robin) (Film: Rhythm on the Range). J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 12-28-44 Kraft Music Hall). JDB235-D6TC6009. V-Disc 712-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

I PROMISE YOU (Arlen-Mercer) (Film: Here Come the Waves). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 11-30-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1049-D4TC535. V-Disc 143-A (Navy); 363-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

I REMEMBER YOU (Schertzinger-Mercer). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing and Ken Carpenter. (From 5-17-45 Kraft Music Hall). JB201-D6TC6045. V-Disc 729-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Kent-Ram-Gannon). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 12-7-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1253-D5TC206. V-Disc 221-B (Navy); 441-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

I’LL GET BY, AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU (Ahlert-Turk). Paul Weston O. (Source unknown). VP1677-D5TC1505. V-Disc 598-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: None. The 7-6-44 Kraft Music Hall broadcast version has been substituted on the CD set for the V-Disc version.

I’M AN OLD COWHAND (Mercer) (Film: Rhythm on the Range). J.S.T. Intro. by Bob Hope and Bing. (From 12-28-44 Kraft Music Hall). JDB235-D6TC6099. V-Disc 712-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

IN A LITTLE HULA HEAVEN (Rainger-Robin) (Film: Waikiki Wedding). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 12-7-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1070-D4TC-552. V-Disc: 525-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (Evans-Shields). Community Sing, with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing (From Army Signal Corps film soundtracks). VP1235-D5TC188. V-Disc 203-A (Navy); 423-A (Army). (Also issued on Sing-Along record). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

IN THE LAND OF BEGINNING AGAIN (Meyer-Clarke) (Film: The Bells of St. Mary’s) .Henderson Choir, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 2-14-46 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). JDB76-D6TC5170. V-Disc 646-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO (G. and I. Gershwin). Dinah Shore, Gordon Jenkins O. (Said to be from Aug. 1943 Dinah Shore Program). D3MC-145. V-Disc 2-A (Army). CD: None.

Note:  Lionel Pairpoint has suggested that this V-Disc version and that on Command Performance 54 of 24 February 43 are different.  They are in fact identical, sharing the same source.

IT CAN’T BE WRONG (Gannon-Steiner). J.S.T. (From 6-24-43 Kraft Music Hall). VP117-ND3MC-3347. V-Disc 28-B (Army). CD: None.

Correction:  Command Performance 71 of 19 Jun 43 is identical to this and is either the source or shares the source of this V-Disc version.  The only time this is sung on Kraft Music Hall is 24 June 43 and it could be that the rehearsal for this show is the source.

Identification: At approximately 10 sec. the lyric runs “would it be wrong to kiss”. In the Kraft Music Hall broadcast of 24 Jun 43 Bing sings “kiss” as a short, abrupt note whereas on the V-Disc the note is held for an extended time.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (Van Heusen-Burke). J.S.T. (From 5-18-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP680-D4TC184. V-Disc 21-A (Navy); 241-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

IT’S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY (Judge-Williams). Dinah Shore, Gordon Jenkins O. (Said to be from August 1943 Dinah Shore Program, but more likely from 2-24-43 Command Performance No. 54). D3MC-151. V-Disc 24-B (Army). CD: None.

IT’S EASY TO REMEMBER (Rodgers-Hart) (Film: Mississippi). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 1-18-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1201-D5TC144. V-Disc 557-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

I’VE GOT MY CAPTAIN WORKING FOR ME NOW (Berlin) (Film: Blue Skies). MGM O. (From film soundtrack). JB467-D7TC7554. V-Disc 820-A (Army). CD: None. The 7-24-46 Decca master L-4248-A has been substituted on the CD set for the V- Disc version.

JINGLE BELLS (Pierpont). Ken Lane Singers, J.S.T. (From 12-21-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1221-D5TC170. V-Disc 221-A (Navy); 441-A (Army).

----- Charioteers, Henderson Choir, Skitch Henderson, piano, J.S.T. (From 12-25-46 Philco Radio Time). JB337-D6TC6657. V-Disc 796-B (Army) CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

JUNE IN JANUARY (Rainger-Robin) (Film: Here Is My Heart). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 11-30-40 Kraft Music Hall). VP1051-D4TC537. V-Disc 143-B (Navy); 363-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

KENTUCKY BABE (Buck-Geibel). Charioteers, James Sherman, piano, J.S.T. (From 8-26-43 Kraft Music Hall). VP390-D3MC463. V-Disc 128-B (Army). CD: None.

LAST ROSE OF SUMMER, THE (Irish air-Moore) (Film: Dixie). Sung by Rise Stevens; intro. by Bing. (From 11-23-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1052-D4TC538. V-Disc 581-A (Army) CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

LAST ROUNDUP, THE (Hill). Lennie Hayton O. (From 9-27-33 Brunswick master LA-20). VP-1018-D4TC498. V-Disc 121-A (Navy); 341-A (Army). CD: None.

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! (Styne-Cahn). J.S.T. (Probably from 2-14-46 Kraft Music Hall). JDB76-D6TC5170. V-Disc 646-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction: Source for LET IT SNOW is not as stated. This V-Disc version is different from this and also the 28 February 46 Kraft Music Hall broadcast, the only other Kraft version. It is either a rehearsal for the 14 February 46 or the 28 February 46 show, and probably the latter which it more closely resembles as 14 February 46 version has only piano-run introduction.

Identification: A variation at about the 12 sec. mark is where on the broadcast version of 14 February 46 Bing sings “but the fire is so delightful” whereas the V-Disc lyric is “but by the fire’s delightful”. The lyrics continue on V-Disc as “since we’ve got no place to go” whereas on the only other Kraft outing of 28 February 46 they are “we’ve got no place to go”, thus eliminating both shows as the V-Disc source.

LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART (Friedman-Whitson). Community Sing, with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing. (From Army Signal Corps film soundtrack). VP1236-D5TC189. V-Disc 203-B (Navy); 423-B (Army). Also issued on Sing-Along record, mx VP1257-B42372. LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

----- J.S.T. (From 7-13-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP856-D4TC287. V-Disc 81-A (Navy); 301-A (Army).

LET’S TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME (Arlen-Mercer). (Film: Here Come the Waves) J.S.T. (From 1-4-45 Kraft Music Hall). NVP1110-D5TC (Navy); VP1112-XP34102 (Army). V-Disc 165-A (Navy); 385-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

LOUISE (Whiting-Robin). J.S.T. (From 5-25-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP706-D4TC201. V-Disc not issued, but a test pressing is known to exist.

LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (Gensler-Robin). (Film: Here Is My Heart) Charioteers, J.S.T. (From 11-30-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1051-D4TC-537. V-Disc 143-B (Navy); 363-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

MOONLIGHT BAY (Wenrich-Madden). Charioteers, James Sherman, piano. (From 8-5-43 Kraft Music Hall). VP452-D4TC23. V-Disc 149-A (Army). CD: None. The 10-16-46 Philco Radio Time broadcast version has been substituted on the CD for the version used on the V-Disc.

MR. PAGANINI (Coslow) (Film: Rhythm on the Range). Charioteers, J.S.T. (From 12-28-44 Kraft Music Hall). JDB186-D6TC6030. V-Disc 712-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

MY HEART AND I (Hollander-Robin) (Film: Anything Goes, 1936). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 3-8-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1306-D5TC270. V-Disc 484-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ONE ALONE (Harbach-Hammerstein II-Romberg). Trudy Erwin, Orch. (From 11-22-43 AFRS rec. session). VP1402-D5TC518. V-Disc 263-A (Navy); 503-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ONE I LOVE BELONGS TO SOMEBODY ELSE, THE (Jones-Kahn). Al Jolson, J.S.T. (From 1-15-47 Philco Radio Time). JB345-D7TC7128. V-Disc 763-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ONE MORE DREAM (Medoff-Kaye). Charioteers, J.S.T. (From 3-21-46 Kraft Music Hall). JDB90-B45463. V-Disc 673-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

ONE, TWO, BUTTON YOUR SHOE (Johnston-Burke) (Film: Pennies from Heaven). Ken Lane Singers, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 11-16-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1035-D4TC-519. V-Disc 598-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction:  Source is not as stated and appears to be a rehearsal for Kraft Music Hall of 16 November 44.

Identification: In the 16 November 44 Kraft Music Hall broadcast version of ONE TWO BUTTON YOUR SHOE, at approximately 1 min. 20 sec. just before the entrance of The Charioteers, Bings sings “tell me you get a thrill” whereas the V-Disc line is “tell me you get SUCH a thrill”.

ONLY FOREVER (Monaco-Burke) (Film: Rhythm on the River). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 1-25-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1201-D5TC144. V-Disc 557-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: None. The 7-3-40 Decca master DLA-2033-A has been substituted on the CD for the version used on the V-Disc.

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (Johnston-Burke) (Film: Pennies from Heaven). Tommy Dorsey O. (From 6-18-44 All Time Hit Parade). VP786-D4TC238. V-Disc 67-A (Navy); 287-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (Unnumbered).

----- Chorus, J.S.T. (From 11-16-44 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP1677-D5TC1505. V-Disc 598-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

“PENNIES FROM HEAVEN” MEDLEY. See: ONE, TWO, BUTTON YOUR SHOE; SO DO I; PENNIES FROM HEAVEN; SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.

Correction:  Source is not as stated and appears to be a rehearsal for Kraft Music Hall of 16 November 44.

Identification: In the 16 November 44 Kraft Music Hall broadcast version of ONE TWO BUTTON YOUR SHOE, at approximately 1 min. 20 sec. just before the entrance of The Charioteers, Bings sings “tell me you get a thrill” whereas the V-Disc line is “tell me you get SUCH a thrill”.

PLEASE (Rainger-Robin) (Film: The Big Broadcast of 1932). J.S.T. (From 7-29-43 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP389-D3MC462. V-Disc 128-A (Army). CD: None. The 9-16-32 Brunswick master SF-11-A has been substituted on the CD for the version used on the V-Disc.

POINCIANA (SONG OF THE TREE) (Simon-Bernier). Orch. (From 11-22-43 AFRS rec. session). VP1402-D5TC518. V-Disc 263-A (Navy); 503-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction:  Source for POINCIANA is not as stated. Bert Bishop and John Bassett’s “Bing – Just For the Record” reveals that it is from 1 October 43 Decca master L 3202-B)

“RHYTHM ON THE RANGE” MEDLEY. See: I’M AN OLD COWHAND; I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU; EMPTY SADDLES; MR. PAGANINI.

RIDIN’ HERD ON A CLOUD (Botkin-Schwartz-Bushallow). J.S.T. (From 8-12-43 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP452-D4TC23. V-Disc 149-A (Army). CD: None. The 9-2-43 Kraft Music Hall version has been substituted on the CD for the V-Disc version.

SHE’S FROM MISSOURI (Van Heusen-Burke). (Film: Dixie). Charioteers, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 11-23-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1053-D4TC-539. V-Disc 581-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SHOO FLY PIE AND APPLE PAN DOWDY (Woods-Gallop). Charioteers, Eddie Duchin, piano, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 3-14-46 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal. JDB80-D6TC5215. V-Disc 661-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SILENT NIGHT (Grüber-Mohr). Kraft Choral Club, J.S.T. (From 12-21-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1221-D5TC170. V-Disc 221-A (Navy); 441-A, (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered)

----- Mixed Chorus and orchestra. (Source unknown). VP140-ND3MC3369. V-Disc 48-A (Army).

----- Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 12-25-46 Philco Radio Time). JB338-DGTC6658. V-Disc 797-A (Army).

SIOUX CITY SUE (Thomas-Freedman). Charioteers, J.S.T. (Source unknown). JDB119-D6TC5298. V-Disc 685-A (Army) CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SKELETON IN THE CLOSET (Johnston-Burke) (Film: Pennies from Heaven). Charioteers, James Sherman, piano, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing, who does not sing. (From 11-16-44 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP1036-D4TC520. V-Disc 598-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SLEEP KENTUCKY BABE. See: KENTUCKY BABE.

SMALL FRY (Carmichael-Loesser) (Film: Sing You Sinners). Tommy Dorsey O. Intro. by Bing. (From 6-18-44 All Time Hit Parade). VP773-D4TC231. V-Disc 49-A (Navy); 269-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

----- Johnny Mercer, Paul Weston O. (From 7-27-44 Johnny Mercer’s Music Shop). VP1675-D5TC1503. V-Disc unissued.

SMALL HOTEL. See THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL.

SO DO I (Johnston-Burke) (Film: Pennies from Heaven). Eugenie Baird, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 11-16-44 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP1035-D4TC519. V-Disc 598-A. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SOMEONE STOLE GABRIEL’S HORN (Hayes-Mills-Washington). Dorsey Bros. O. (From 3-14-33 Brunswick master B-13149-A). V-Disc mx. no. unknown. V-Disc unissued.

SOON (Rodgers-Hart) (Film: Mississippi). J.S.T. (From 1-18-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1130-D5TC64. V-Disc 194-A (Navy); 414-A (Army). CD: None.

STRANGE MUSIC (Grieg-Wright-Forrest). J.S.T. (From 12-28-44 Kraft Music Hall). NVP1110-D5TC-35 (Navy); VP1112-XP34102 (Army). V-Disc 165-A (Navy); 385-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SUMMERTIME (Gershwin-Heyward). Dinah Shore, Gordon Jenkins O. (From August 1943 Dinah Shore Program). VP90-D3MC 150. V-Disc unissued.

SUNDAY, MONDAY, OR ALWAYS (Van Heusen-Burke) (Film: Dixie). J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 11-23-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1052-D4TC538. V-Disc 581-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SWEET LEILANI (Owens) (Film: Waikiki Wedding). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 12-7-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1070-D4TC552. V-Disc 525-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT (Sheppard) (Film: Dixie). Charioteers, Henderson Choir. Intro. by Bing (From 11-23-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1053-D4TC539. V-Disc 581-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

SWINGING ON A STAR (Van Heusen-Burke) (Film: Going My Way). Charioteers, J.S.T. (Source unknown). VP857-D4TC288. V-Disc 81-B Navy); 301-B (Army). CD: C.C.M.(unnumbered).

----- A version with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ was issued on a Sing-Along record, matrix VP1256-B42372.

TANGERINE (Schertzinger-Mercer). J.S.T. Intro. by Bing Crosby and Ken Carpenter (From 5-17-45 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). JDB201-D6TC6045. V-Disc 729-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

THAT SLY OLD GENTLEMAN (Monaco-Burke) (Film: East Side of Heaven). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 4-26-45 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP1333-D5TC296. V-Disc 243-A (Navy); 463-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

THAT’S AN IRISH LULLABY. See: TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RAL.

(THERE’LL BE A) HOT TIME IN THE TOWN OF BERLIN (Bushkin-DeVries). Andrews Sisters, Vic Schoen O. (From 6-30-44 Decca master L-3449). VP964-XP33785. V-Disc 337-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL (Rodgers-Hart). Eddie Duchin, piano, J.S.T. Intro. by Bob Hope. (From 2-28-46 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). JDB164-D6TC5998. V-Disc 700-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

THESE FOOLISH THINGS (REMIND ME OF YOU) (Strachey - Marvell). Charioteers, Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 2/7/46 Kraft Music Hall). JDB51-XP35870. V-Disc 632-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

Correction: THESE FOOLISH THINGS broadcast on Kraft Music Hall of 7 February 46, the only Kraft appearance, differs from this V-Disc version.  (The V-Disc and GI Journal #94 versions are identical and share the same source.)

Identification: Early in the song, at about 20 sec., the lyric is “my heart has wings”. In the broadcast version “wings” is struck quickly and strongly whereas in the V-Disc it is a weak, fading note.

----- Frank Sinatra, J.S.T. (from 11-16-44 Kraft Music Hall. Matrix number unknown. V-Disc unissued.

TOAST TO IRVING BERLIN, A. See: ALL BY MYSELF; ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND; EASTER PARADE.

Correction: Bob Roberts “The Road to Bing Crosby (The V-Disc Supplement)” reveals that this is in fact a rehearsal from Philco of 7 May 47.

Identification: ALL BY MYSELF is the broadcast version but there are differences in the other two which can be identified by the absence from the V-Disc of comments made by Bing which appear in the broadcast. At approximately 1 min. 40 sec. Bing’s “Here now, steady” is missing from introduction to ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND as is his “And you look proud” at approximately 5 min. following Jolson’s line “I’d be the proudest fella” in EASTER PARADE.

TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RAL (Shannon) (Film: Going My Way). Chorus, J.S.T. (From 6-22-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP857-D4TC288. V-Disc 81-B (Navy); 301-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

----- A version with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ was issued on a Sing-Along record, matrix VP-1255-B42371.

TOO ROMANTIC (Monaco-Burke) (Film: Road to Singapore). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 3-22-45 Kraft Music Hall). VP1306-D5TC270. V-Disc 484-A (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

“WAIKIKI WEDDING” MEDLEY. See: BLUE HAWAII; IN A LITTLE HULA HEAVEN; SWEET LEILANI.

WAIT ‘TIL THE SUN SHINES, NELLIE (Von Tilzer-Sterling) (Film: Birth of the Blues). Community Sing, with male chorus, piano and Hammond organ, led by Bing. (From Army Signal Corps film soundtracks). VP-1235-D5TC188. V-Disc 203-A (Navy); 423-A (Army). (Also issued on Sing-Along record, mx VP1254-B42370). LP: Bwy. BR-129.

----- Mary Martin, Jack Teagarden O. (From 1941 film promotional records). VP1551-XP-35172. V-Disc 542B (Army). CD: C.C.M.(unnumbered)

WAITER AND THE PORTER AND THE UPSTAIRS MAID, THE (Mercer). (Film: Birth of the Blues) Mary Martin & Jack Teagarden with Jack Teagarden O. (From 1941 film promotional records). VP-1551-XP35172. V-Disc 542-B (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE INFANTRY? (Loesser). Chorus, J.S.T. (From 8-5-43 Kraft Music Hall rehearsal). VP390-D3MC463. V-Disc 128-B (Army). CD: None. The broadcast version of this song has been substituted on the CD for the rehearsal version on the V-Disc.

Note: The version, and therefore the source, of WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE INFANTRY is identical to that for GI Journal 11 of 24 September 43.

WHITE CHRISTMAS (Berlin) (Films: Holiday Inn and White Christmas). Henderson Choir, J.S.T. (From 12-14-44 Kraft Music Hall broadcast. VP1253-D5TC206. V-Disc 221-B (Navy); 441-B, (Army). CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

----- J.S.T. (From 12-25-46 Philco Radio Time). JB338-D6TC6658. V-Disc 797-A (Army).

WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE (Rainger-Robin) (Film: Here Is My Heart). J.S.T. (From 11-30-44 Kraft Music Hall). VP1051-D4TC537. V-Disc 143-B (Navy); 363-B (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).

YANK AND A TANK, A (Bentley) Choir, J.S.T. Intro. by Bing. (From 10-14-43 Kraft Music Hall. VP389-D3MC462. V-Disc 128-A (Army). CD: None. The producers of the C.C.M. CD confused this song with A CRANKY OLD YANK IN A CLANKY OLD TANK, an entirely different song by Hoagy Carmichael, and it is that song that appears on the C.D.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE (Davis-Mitchell). J.S.T. (From 2-24-43 Command Performance No. 54). D3MC146. V-Disc 24-A (Army). CD: None. The 7-8-41 Decca master DLA-2515-A has been substituted on the CD for the version used on the V-Disc.

YOU CALL EVERYBODY DARLIN’ (Martin-Trace-Watts). Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires, J.S.T. (From 11-3-48 Philco Radio Time). J666-1096. V-Disc 893-A (Army). LP: Bwy. BR-129. CD: C.C.M. (unnumbered).