BING
CROSBY’S COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS: From 78s to CDs
A superb discography covering Bing’s commercial recordings
has been put together by Wig Wiggins and Jim Reilly to universal acclaim. Keith
Parkinson reviewed the discography in an edition of BING magazine and
here’s an extract:
"Bing Crosby's Commercial
Recordings" is a superior softback running to
150 plus pages printed on good quality paper and illustrated with dozens of
record labels and sleeves, most of which would take pride of place in my own
Crosby collection if only I knew where to obtain them. It bears some
resemblance to the long out of print four volume discography "The Road to
Bing Crosby". Author Wig defines it as an "easy-to-use chronological
reference guide" and it is that and more. Recording date, song title,
matrix (and take) number, accompanist, original commercial release catalogue
number and CD reissue identification follow the established discographical
format. In addition, composers are shown. The original release detail almost
invariably shows the USA catalogue number although where a recording was first
issued outside North America this information is readily found in the
identification table in the book's preface along with the issuing record
company.
There
are three supplements to the main listing. A further chronological index lists
"Other Commercial Recordings". This will confuse older collectors who
are used to seeing the likes of "Blow, Gabriel. Blow" and "True
Love" listed with Bing's mainstream studio recordings. However, Wig
accurately sidelines those Crosby recordings made in the first instance for
film soundtracks like the two examples given. This secondary index covers all
recordings made initially for use in another medium. So the songs from
"High Tor" also receive a listing under
"Other Commercial Recordings". There is an "Index of Compact
Discs" which is inevitably out of date as soon as the book reaches the
printer. Nor can it contain the detail found in Jim Reilly's CD publications of
Crosby's compact disc recordings, but it does list what was available as at the
end of last year. Finally, an alphabetical index provides a short cut to
finding any given recording. The index can also be used to track songs contained
on some CD issues. Even the most dedicated collector will find some revealing
tit-bit in this definitive work.
"Bing
Crosby's Commercial Recordings" is an affordable work of reference aimed
at Crosby collectors. Buy a copy now and in five years' time it should be
dog-eared after being regularly lifted from the bookshelf.
Keith
Parkinson
Contact Wig Wiggins at 5608
North 34th. St., Arlington. Virginia 22207 (phone: 703-241-5608) or Jim
Reilly at 27 Beaulieu Rd., North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire P02 ODN, UK
(phone: 02392 666677) to obtain your copy. Price: USA & Canada US$17.50 (postpaid) and in the UK £10 (postpaid).
Mainland Europe & Ireland £11 (inc. p. & p.).
This is a limited edition so make sure of a copy while you still can! Make
cheques payable to F. B. Wiggins, or in the UK to Jim
Reilly.