A Bing Crosby Discography - part 1a
 
Commercial Recordings - Pre Decca

Bing Crosby, Al Rinker (voc), Don Clark and his Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra (orc)

Bing's first recording session ever.
Bing said "We bootlegged a couple of discs in abandoned warehouses" -and - "where the orchestra was set up among the packing cases."

Another title was recorded, almost certainly including participation by Bing Crosby and Al Rinker - "Don't Somebody Need Somebody" Col W142786, but it has not survived.

The first Whiteman session with Bing and Al Rinker singing as a duo.
This take of "Pretty Lips" was not issued at the time, but a test pressing was discovered. It was re-recorded 28th February 1927.

Austin Young (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker (vbk)

Crosby and Rinker - the "rhythm singers" of the Whiteman band, join the "sweet" trio, all of whose duties are really just a vocal group lending support to the band in a quaint sounding novelty. Austin Young sings a couple of solo lines.

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

Another novelty number with Crosby and Rinker plus the "Sweet Trio" of Gaylord, Fulton & Young producing a largely wordless vocal chorus.

Bing Crosby, Al Rinker (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), John Sperzel (sb)

A duet with Al Rinker and the first, in this compiler's opinion, to show much sense of any individuality. A strong rhythmic number with recognisable voices.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Al Armer (sb)

The first solo vocal on record, with Bing coming through strongly. In "A Musical Biography" - the five record set of 1954, Bing said "audience acceptance was something less than enthusiastic", but in fact it is a good piece.

There were no Billboard charts at the time but Joel Whitburn has attempted to recreate them as they might have been and concluded that Muddy Water would have entered the charts on 11 June 1927 at #11 and stayed in the charts for 2 weeks.

The first session said to be with The Rhythm Boys resulting in issued takes, but only two voices can be heard clearly on "I'm Coming Virginia".
"Side By Side" is clearly by the trio.
"I'm Coming Virginia" had been recorded on 3rd March, but all four takes were rejected.

The Rhythm Boys are not actually credited as such.

The first recording in which Red Nichols and Jimmy Dorsey appear with Bing.

See notes relating to Billboard charts for session of 7 March 1927.
Whitburn suggests "I'm Coming Virginia" would have entered the charts on 24 September 1927 at #6 and remained charted for 4 weeks.

Similarly he concludes that "Side By Side" would have entered at 30 July 1927 at #3 and remain charted for 8 weeks.

Charles Gaylord (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Red Nichols (cn), Charles Strickfadden (bsx)

Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Red Nichols (cn), Jimmy Dorsey (asx)

The Rhythm Boys sounding as such but not so credited.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr)

The Rhythm Boys here get credit under that name for the first time. They now introduce some humour and scat singing, the whole performance being presented with some verve.

Jack Fulton (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Mike Pingitore (bjo)

Bing cannot be identified on this track, the solo being handled by Jack Fulton, the remainder of the combined Whiteman singing group merely adding a background.

Another performance with the Rhythm Boys in all but name. Vocal contributions are more or less evenly split between the three.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Austin Young (vbk)

Bing takes a vocal lead in a largely forgettable number with backing from the "Sweet" trio.

See earlier notes as to Billboard placings. Joel Whitburn assesses the possible entry into the charts as 12 November 1927 at #7, remaining charted for 5 weeks

Again the vocal trio who were in fact the "Rhythm Boys"

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

Bing is merely one a a five strong vocal group, and he is fairly submerged into them, so that his voice is not particularly evident.
The Victor ledgers appear to imply that takes 1-6 were with the Victor orchestra directed by Nathaniel Shilkret.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr)

The second in which the Rhythm Boys both perform and are fully credited. No orchestral backing - the boys on their own providing their own piano and rhythm accompaniment with a fair amount of humorous asides. Not issued contemporaneously - the issue was delayed until 1942 on Victor 27688. It was worthy of earlier release.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr)

The boys again, fully credited, but with Bing taking a fairly prominent part.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Harry Barris, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Henry Busse (tr), Tommy Dorsey (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (asx), Steve Brown (sb)

The first occasion on which Bing and Bix recorded together. Both of the Whiteman vocal trios (the 'hot' and the 'sweet') alternate through the "changes" and Bing has some solo work.

See earlier notes about charts. Whitburn suggests "Changes" (take 3) would have entered the charts on 25 February 1928 at #4 and remained charted for 8 weeks.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Henry Busse (tr), Tommy Dorsey (tr, tb), Frank Trumbauer (c-m), Jimmy Dorsey (asx, cl), Steve Brown (sb)

A solo for Bing, taken at a fair pace with contributions from several of the jazz-oriented instrumentalists.

See earlier notes about charting. Whitburn suggests Ol Man River would have charted on 31 March 1928 at #1 for one week, remaining in the charts for 11 weeks.

Another solo for Bing, taken at a cracking, bouncy pace, totally unlike the conventional performance of the stage show at the time. There is interesting work from Frankie Trumbauer and Steve Brown in the last section.

A CD called "Bix Restored - The Complete Recordings and Alternates - Volume 5: Newly Discovered Takes and The Beiderbecke Influence" BXCD 13 (2005) from Sunbeam Records is the only source known to the compiler of take 3 of Ol' Man River.

There is one other Bing track on this CD (Sweet Sue, Just You), which otherwise has a further 24 tracks featuring various groups including Frankie Trumbauer, Red Nichols, Duke Ellington. The differences in Bing's performance are minor and in this compiler's view would not be separately identifiable. The identifiable differences are confined to Frankie Trumbauer's solo starting around 2 minutes 30 seconds where his solo is totally different.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr)

The first example of Bing's whistling. Lots of scat here with Bing's b-b-boo showing through prominently.

Bing Crosby (voc), Frank Trumbauer and his Orchestra (orc), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Bill Rank (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl), Eddie Lang (gtr), Matty Malneck (vla), Frank Trumbauer (spk)

Bing as a soloist with some verbal interpolation by Trumbauer, supported by a small instrumental group with Malneck, Lang and Beiderbecke to the fore.

A take "B" existed at one stage. It got damaged before it could be transcribed for issue, but label information had already been prepared, resulting in the issue of an LP with take A shown as take B. No copy of B is known to exist.

The first recording with Eddie Lang.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Henry Busse (tr), Bill Rank (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (rds), Matty Malneck (vln), Steve Brown (sb)

Another solo from Bing, who seems now regularly to be given more prominent spots by Whiteman. Bing seems to have a cold - he is distinctly husky.

See earlier notes about charts. Whitburn suggests 'Make Believe' would have charted 21 April 1928 at #7 and remain in the charts for 6 weeks.

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

A wordless humming chorus producing a novelty with "eastern" effects. A very nondescript recording, with Bing merely part of an amorphous backing group.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Frank Trumbauer (c-m), Roy Bargy (pno)

Back to better form here. Bing solos with a supporting vocal group. Beiderbecke, Trumbauer and Bargy have prominent roles .

On "Sunshine" Bing has a solo spot fronting the vocal group. For "From Monday On" Fulton takes the lead, Bing joining the vocal support. Beiderbecke has a prominent solo. Very different from the same title recorded by the Rhythm Boys on 12 January - only a month before.

The third outing for the title in eight months! Irene Taylor leads with a backing chorus of six including Bing.

Another effort at this version "From Monday On" as takes 1 - 3 were made on 13 Feb. It was also recorded in different arrangements on 13 Jan. 1928 with the Rhythm Boys, and as a soloist on 20 Jan with Frankie Trumbauer.

"High Water" produces a prominent solo part for Bing in an arrangement not typical of his output so far as it has something of an "operatic tenor" feel about it. There are some high notes, befitting the title, whilst the orchestra arrangement is of distinctive "symphonic" style rather than "Big Band".

A take 11 of "High Water " apparently exists, but is said to be a dubbing of take 3

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr), Harry Barris (pno), Wilbur Hall (gtr), Matty Malneck (vla)

A humorous up tempo number from the Rhythm Boys with small instrumental support. They return to their scatting and verbal interjections to some good effect.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

Back to fronting the chorus, with some solo lines.

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Boyce Cullen, Jack Fulton, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Roy Bargy (pno)

A rather pretentious symphonic arrangement originally issued as but one side of four covering two 12 inch records as an orchestral suite representing New York. This side is the only part with Bing, but his voice cannot be distinguished and the vocal group makes only a very small contribution.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Henry Busse (tr), Bill Rank (tb), Izzy Friedman (tsx), Roy Bargy, Lennie Hayton (pno), Matty Malneck (vla)

A relaxed and bouncing number with Bing in good form. There are important contributions from Min Leibrook on bass sax. and Izzy Friedman has a tenor sax. solo, with a small contribution by Beiderbecke.

An oddity is that this was released in the UK at the time, (HMV-B5509) but not released in the USA until 1941. (Victor 27685).

Take 2 of "Lovable" appears to be a dub of 1

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Boyce Cullen, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

Notable only for being easily forgettable. Bing has a brief solo with the vocal group in a full chorus.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Chester (Chet) Hazlett (tsx), Charles Strickfadden (bsx)

Another dull and unmemorable song. Bing's performance is by no means outstanding but he stands out well against the pedestrian lyric, arrangement and orchestral performance. Hazlett and Strickfadden on saxes also try to improve things.

Take 8 of "My Pet" appears to be a dubbing.
Take 2 of "Dancing Shadows" appears to be a dubbing.
In "Dancing Shadows" the vocal group are merely humming in the background.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Henry Busse (tr), Bill Rank (tb), Roy Bargy, Lennie Hayton (pno), Matty Malneck (vla)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Austin Young (vbk), Harry Goldfield (tr), Bill Rank (tb), Bix Beiderbecke (c-m), Frank Trumbauer (asx), Matty Malneck (vla), George Marsh (dms)

Take 2 of "You Took Advantage Of Me" appears to be a dub.

The last Whiteman session for Victor.

Chorus (vgr), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby (vbk)

The first Whiteman session for Columbia Records. Some believe the chorus effects are orchestral. The present listener does not believe this. The vocal effects are felt to be a subdued chorus. No individual voices are identifiable. Crosby may or may not be present. The tracks are included in the listing, like some others, for the "completists".

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, Austin Young (vbk)

There is disagreement as to whether Bing participated on Constantinople. Most considered opinion is that he did not, so this is again for the completists.

Disagreement exists as to whether Bing can be heard on La Paloma. The present listener does not believe his voice can be distinguished.

A further take number of "Tain't So Honey, T'ain't So" matrix W146316 was made at this session but was not issued and has probably not survived.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Austin Young (vbk), Harry Goldfield (tr)

"I'd Rather Cry Over You" was also recorded at this session. Further efforts were made at succeeding sessions, with that on 10th June with Matrix W146320 take 5 finally being issued .

Disagreement exists as to whether Bing can be heard on "Georgie Porgie" and "Lonesome in the Moonlight".
The probable remaining members of the vocal group are listed, but this is also uncertain, for both titles.

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Austin Young (vbk), Eddie King (por, slb)

It is extremely unlikely that Bing took part in this session as he and the Rhtyhm Boys were appeaing in Toledo, Ohio at that time.

Bing cannot be separately identified on "Let's Do It".

Bing Crosby (voc), The Ipana Troubadours (orc), Sam Lanin (dir)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc)

After numerous tries, the 11th take of "My Angeline" was finally accepted.

Bing Crosby (voc), Roy Bargy (pno), Edward Quinn (gtr), Matty Malneck (vla)

The first session in which Bing as soloist is given lead credits as vocalist.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Andy Secrest (cn)

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Harry Barris, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker (vbk), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Roy Bargy (pno)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bix Beiderbecke (cn), Frank Trumbauer (c-m)

There are doubts about the precise vocal line up on "Your Mother And Mine". Bing has solo lines, and Fulton can be identified. The others are uncertain.

Bing Crosby (voc), Roy Bargy (pno), Eddie Lang (gtr), Matty Malneck (vla)

A solo vocal session with Bing given named credit on record labels.
Take 3 of "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame" is identical to take 2.

Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Al Rinker (vbk), Izzy Friedman (asx), Eddie Lang (gtr), Lennie Hayton (cel)

Bing Crosby (voc), Charles Margulis (tr), Chester (Chet) Hazlett (cl), Roy Bargy (pno), Matty Malneck (vln)

A solo session, the third, with Bing credited as a lead attraction on the record labels.

a, b;   c, d, e, f  performed as medleys

It is doubtful that Bing is on the Moonlight and Roses medley

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Andy Secrest (cn), Frank Trumbauer (c-m), Eddie Lang (gtr), Joe Venuti (vln), Lennie Hayton (cel)

The notes to a 7CD set devoted to Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti issued by Mosaic Records in 2002 entitled "The Classic Columbia and Okeh Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang" state that contrary to all previous discographies, the recording date for this session was 10th March 1930.
The same notes state that Mosaic are aware of a further take of the title but were unable to include it in the issued set of CDs. This implies that they are aware of an existing copy, so list this take but have no categoric information that it has survived. I possess a copy of the original master record card which confirms both the recording date of 10th March and the recording of THREE takes. Most earlier discographies cite 10th February. I assume that Mosaic possess information confirming that one of the alternate takes survives.

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman Orchestra (orc), Andy Secrest (cn), Bill Rank (tb), Frank Trumbauer (c-m), Eddie Lang (gtr)

Bing Crosby (voc), Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (vgr), Harry Barris (pno)

There was another side made -"Everything's Agreed Upon", but it has not survived.
Having already made the last record with the full Whiteman Orchestra, this was the last under the sponsorship of Whiteman. From now on the Rhythm Boys went their own way, for a short time, until they broke up.

Bing Crosby (voc), The Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris, Al Rinker) (vgr), Duke Ellington Cotton Club Orchestra (orc), Duke Ellington (pno), Wellman Braud (sb)

The first session after leaving Whiteman. The boys are now simply "The Rhythm Boys"

Bing Crosby (voc), The Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris, Al Rinker) (vgr), Gus Arnheim and his Cocoanut Grove Orchestra (orc)

The last "Rhythm Boys" recording.

Bing Crosby (voc), Gus Arnheim and his Cocoanut Grove Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Gus Arnheim and his Cocoanut Grove Orchestra (orc)

"I Surrender, Dear" was probably the most popular of all records made to date.

Bing Crosby (voc), Studio Orchestra (orc)

The first recording session under the contract with Brunswick as a solo artist.

The final session as a dance band vocalist.
"Ho Hum" is the first duet with a female vocalist, Loyce Whiteman, who married Harry Barris. She was not related to Paul Whiteman.

Bing Crosby (voc), Studio Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Studio Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Harry Barris (pno)

"Stardust" is alleged to have sold over a million copies, though the general level of claims for record sales in the 1930's has been disputed, and there are few audited records available to verify such claims.

Bing Crosby (voc), Victor Young (dir)

Gems from George White's Scandals.

"The Thrill Is Gone" is contained within a multi star medley of "This Is The Missus", with The Boswell Sisters, "The Thrill Is Gone", with Bing and "My Song" with Frank Munn.

Similarly "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" is part of a medley of "That's Love" with The Boswell Sisters, "That's Why Darkies Were Born" with Frank Munn, and Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" with The Mills Brothers, Connie Boswell, Bing, and The Boswell Sisters.
The recordings sometimes appear in edited form omitting the Frank Munn contribution.

Bing Crosby (voc), Brunswick Studio Orchestra, directed by Bennie Krueger (orc), Eddie Lang (gtr)

The first recording of Bing's theme song, first used three weeks earlier on radio.

Bing Crosby (voc), Brunswick Studio Orchestra, directed by Bennie Krueger (orc), Tommy Dorsey (tb), Joe Moresco (pno)

Bing Crosby (voc), Larry Gomar, The Mills Brothers (vgr), Brunswick Studio Orchestra, directed by Bennie Krueger (orc), Frank Guarente (tr), Will Bradley (tb), Max Farley (tsx), Joe Moresco (pno)

Bing Crosby (voc), Helen Crawford (org)

An unusual session, because Bing was in the Brunswick's studio at 799 Seventh Avenue and Helen Crawford was playing the organ in New York City's Paramount Theatre, half a mile away, being linked by landline to the studio. To this listener the separation occasionally shows through in the timing.

Bing Crosby (voc), Brunswick Studio Orchestra, directed by Bennie Krueger (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Duke Ellington and his Orchestra (orc), Cootie Williams (tr), Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton (tb), Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges (tsx), Barney Bigard (cl), Duke Ellington (pno), Fred Guy (gtr)

Bing Crosby (voc), The Mills Brothers (vgr), Brunswick Studio Orchestra dir. Victor Young (orc), Tommy Dorsey (tb), Eddie Lang (gtr)

"Soft Lights and Sweet Music" was part of a longer medley running to 9 minutes over two 12" sides. The second part did not feature Bing.

Bing Crosby (voc), The Boswell Sisters (vgr), Don Redman and his Orchestra (orc)

Bing Crosby (voc), Studio Orchestra Dir. Frank Trumbauer (orc), Frank Trumbauer (c-m), Eddie Lang (gtr)