Bing: A Musical Autobiography
Bing: A Musical Autobiography was Bing Crosby's fourth Decca vinyl LP, recorded and released in 1954. Background. Ready to retire by 1954, Crosby assembled Buddy Cole and his Trio, a small group formed from members of the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, and re-recorded many of his early hits between April and June 1954. The Decca masters were used for his hits, starting with the 1938 recording of "Small Fry" Most of the new recordings were done at the American Legion Hall in Palm Springs, California. Crosby's memoir, "Call Me Lucky", was published in  June 1953 by Simon & Schuster. It was written with Pete Martin. Discs. Starting in 1958, Decca released the LPs separately. The LPs were issued as automatic couplings which would enable the five LPs to be played on an autochanger record player in chronological sequence. For instance, within album set DX-151, LP no. DL 8072 contained sides 1 and 10, DL 8073 sides 2 and 9, DL 8074 sides 3 and 8, DL 8075 sides 4 and 7, DL 8076 sides 5 and 6. The "Musical Autobiography" tracks were reissued as a four-CD set in Japan in 1992 without change  from the original five LPs (MCA (Japan). Avid Entertainment in the UK released a four disc set in 2005 but with the addition of soundtrack and film promotional material from the 1930s. Reception. In an enthusiastic review of the set, John S. Wilson wrote in The New York Times, "The first half of the program in which Crosby talks about his early days and sings his early hits is an unalloyed joy, a field day for nostalgians. In view of complaints that have been made off and on for the past fifteen years that the Crosby voice was gone, that  he no longer had the old touch, it is a particular pleasure to hear these early songs recorded within the past year, sung with all the old Crosby ease and charm...This is an exceptional collection of recordings, the summation of a landmark in American popular music and well worth the asking price." At Allmusic John Bush called "A Musical Autobiography" "the most laborious exercise in Crosby's entire career, narrating a career history and re-recording dozens of songs." It was also issued to commemorate Decca's 20th anniversary. "Billboard" reported, "Decca's merchandising displays consist of a lifelike  window or floor display of Bing Crosby, mounted on an easel and with Crosby holding a copy of his musical autobiography titled simple, 'Bing.' This set...is the firm's big push for the fall." Bonus tracks (2005 CD release). When "Bing: A Musical Autobiography" was re-released as a 4-CD set in 2005, the label added bonus tracks that had no connection with the original album. These tracks were sourced from Bing Crosby's radio shows, publicity discs, and his short film soundtracks. "Paris Honeymoon" selection (from Kraft Music Hall, June 28, 1945): "The Star Maker" selection (from  Kraft Music Hall, April 19, 1945): "I Surrender Dear" 1931 film soundtrack selection: "One More Chance" 1931 film soundtrack selection: "Dream House" 1931 film soundtrack selection: "Billboard Girl" 1931 film soundtrack selection: "Sing, Bing, Sing" 1932 film soundtrack selection: "Blue of the Night" 1932 film soundtrack selection: From "The Big Broadcast" publicity discs: "Please" film soundtrack selection: From "She Loves Me Not" publicity discs: From "Two for Tonight" publicity discs: From "Doctor Rhythm" publicity discs: From "Birth of the Blues" publicity discs: From "The Big Broadcast" publicity discs: