Bing Crosby: A Musical Autobiography

[ghost of miles]

Just got this in the mail today... it's a 4-CD reissue of the 1954 Decca 5-LP set, with more than a disc's worth of material added from films, film shorts, and publicity discs. Definitely worth picking up if you're a Bing fan. Here's Avid's description of the set:

Released by Decca in 1954 to celebrate their 20th anniversary and to pay tribute to their most successful star, "Bing Crosby: A Musical Autobiography", a lavish 5-LP Box Set forms the backbone of AVID's latest 4-CD set in the Gold Re-masters series.

The Musical Autobiography contains 49 re-recordings and 40 originals all linked by Bing's charming commentary. The re-recordings were felt necessary at the time due to what was deemed the "dated" quality of the originals. The set is a fascinating trip through Bing's career up to the early 50's and covers all musical styles from country, ballads, jazz, Irish to religious songs, comedy, duets and of course Christmas favorites!

Our Box Set also includes music from two of Bing's many films, "Paris Honeymoon" and "The Star Maker", and broadcasts from Bing’s popular radio show where he was regularly attracting 50 million listeners every week!

Finally on CD Four we have some interesting historical items including songs from all the soundtracks Bing recorded for famed director Mack Sennett in the 1930's including the infamous sound of the pipe organ used to back Bing when he was in dispute with the musicians union.

I got mine from Overstock.com for $35 total--seems to be the best deal on the Net.