Merry Christmas
Bing Crosby
DL 8128
Long Play 33 1/3 RPM
Selections Include:
SIDE ONE
1. Silent Night (Christmas Hymn)
Franz Gruber
2. Adestes Fideles (Sung in Latin and English)
(O, Come, All Ye Faithful)
With Max Terr's Mixed Chorus and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
3. White Christmas
Irving Berlin
With Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
With Max Terr's Mixed Chorus and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
5. Faith Of Our Fathers
With Max Terr's Mixed Chorus and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
Henry-Walton-Faber
6. I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)
With John Scott Trotter Orchestra
Kent-Gammon-Ram
SIDE TWO
1. Jingle Bells
With Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen Orchestra
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
With Andrews Sisters and Vic Schoen Orchestra
Coots-Gillespie
3. It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas
With Jud Condon's Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
M. Willson
4. Christmas In Killarney
With Jud Condon's Rhythmaires and John Scott Trotter Orchestra
Redmond-Cavanaugh-Weldon
5. Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)
With Andrew Sisters and Vic Schoen Orchestra
R. Alex Anderson
These records, with the exception of the last four titles, are also available on Decca Long Play Record DL 5019 (33 1/3 RPM), and Decca Extended Play Record ED-547 (45 RPM).
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Here is a selection of Christmas songs, favorites old and new, sung by one of the world's very favorite singers. The range is wide; it includes the ancient classic "Adeste Fideles" and "Silent Night, Holy Night"; it also includes "White Christmas," which is entitled to be called a classic of our own times. Here also are the religious carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and the lightly frolicsome "Jingle Bells," among others. All are sung by the man who represents a modest and truly democratic attitude, America's unofficial ambassador of good will to the world, a man who is as native as blueberries, spoonbread and grits, pie a la mode, the bleachers, firecrackers on the Fourth, Thanksgiving turkey.
The voice which has been heard b y more people than that of any other human being who ever lived, was first heard in Tacoma, Washington - the birthplace of Harry Lillis Crosby, soon to acquire the the nickname of "Bing." When Bing was five, the Crosbys moved to Spokane, Washington, where he went to grade school and then to Gonzaga University to study law. Evenings, while at law school, he played drums (purely by instinct) in a little band organized by a pal and classmate, Al Rinker, similarly music-struck. The two would sing occasional "hot" duets in the jazz idiom that was sweeping the country.
One day, Bing and Al decided they'd up and do something decisive about a musical career for themselves. They left town in a $40 jalopy and worked their way, via speakeasies and vaudeville houses, to Los Angeles. Eventually they were heard and finally hired by Paul Whiteman.
In 1930, after appearing in the film "The King Of Jazz," which starred Whiteman, the Rhythm Boys elected to leave the band in favor of an engagement with Gus Arnheim's orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles. It was here that Bing's solo work began to attract real attention. His charm was pervasive; it won audiences immediately. Hollywood called and, by the end of 1933, Bing Crosby was among the top ten box-office "draws" in motion pictures and undisputed Number One among radio singers.
In 1934 he came into his own on wax. Signing a long term contract with Decca, he became an international favorite. His records ranged from the severely traditional to the latest popular success; his earlier recordings became much-sought-after collector' items. In 1944 he attained full stature as an actor. He won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Father O'Malley in "Going My Way," a role he repeated in "Bells of St. Mary's."
Bing's popularity as a romantic lead continued to grow, notwithstanding the fact that he is the father of four husky boys. It was evidenced by the huge box-office response to his roles in "Blue Skies," "Welcome Stranger," "The Emperor Waltz," in which he starred opposite Joan Fontaine - to say nothing of his "Road" pictures with Dorothy Lamour and, of course, Bob Hope. As if this wasn't enough, Bing's fine portrayals in "Little Boy Lost" and "The Country Girl" have established him as a top-flight dramatic actor. Yet Crosby remains Crosby, unimpressed with himself. He's still as casual, informal, and unassuming as ever. Still flouts the most colorful clothes and vocabulary this side of a rainbow. And no description of the man ever fitted quite so well as that of some unsung G.I. of World War II, who irreverently but affectionately called Bing: "Uncle Sam without whiskers."
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A New World of Sound - Decca Records
This DECCA Long Play Microgroove Unbreakable Record can be played only on 33 1/3 RPM instruments, for maximum protection, it should be kept in this protective envelope, away from heat.
Printed in U.S.A.
