| NAME | MESSAGE |
| Ben Weaver |
posted 06/05/03 11:53 PM Central Time (US)  contact the author directly
While on the trail to Spokane last month we stopped occasionally to rumage through some used records shops. At one of these stores I came across an LP, "Presenting The Crosby Bros." On the front cover is a color photo of Dennis, Phil and Lindsay singing in front of a mike. They look to be in their early to mid twenties. I was quite pleasantly surprised on how well they harmonized to-gether and presented the songs. They obviously had worked hard on developing a style. With the arrival of Elvis, Bill Haley and The Comets, Little Richard, Fats Domino and later the Beatles it's not surprising that they didn't last. Very similar to the fate of The Four Lads, The Ames Bros, The Four Aces and similar groups. They sang a very nice version of "Once In A While", Bing's last commercial recording. Other songs include "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby","Mine","Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams","I Can't Give You Anything But Love","Dinah","Singin' In The Rain", and "Magic Is The Moonlight". Bing wrote a few lines on the back cover: "Please pardon my pride, but any doting Dad must bust a few buttons when his offspring start making good at a gainful occupation. Now this opus could just possibly resurrect the Rhythm Boys or get the Mills Brothers looking over their shoulders, for with excusable pride, the lads sound great, the songs are well sung, and excitingly presented. Our boys did not just go make a record--it took months of preliminary effort. They had to hit the dusty trail to develope style and experience, although they had been brought up in show business atmosphere. I am most proud that they set their goal and worked at it. But most of all, I hope their album pleases you as it did me." signed "Bing". The LP is a 'High Fidelity Recording', produced by MGM. |
| Lars |
posted 06/06/03 01:03 AM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
Ben; I got that record myself some years ago and also enjoyed it. "The Battle of Jericho" is another of the songs which Bing also performed later together with his (3) sons on one TV-show. I've also got a 45 where the boys perform two other (newer) more poplike songs called something like "In the arms of a soldier" and the other one had something to do with summer - or was it autumn?. However, I think the choice of songs on the LP is a lot better. Which once again reminds me about the version Phil Crosby recorded of his dads themesong. A great version. I've also found one LP by Bob's son Chris that was quite OK. It's interesting to listen to the talents of the various offsprings in the Crosby clan. |
| Sue Horn |
posted 06/06/03 10:56 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
Ben, what a find! How rare is that recording? It sounds like one I'd love to have. Did the four Crosby boys ever record commercially together? Lars, your comments on other Crosby offspring recordings are also fascinating. Someone should make a CD or two of all of these and start selling us copies!! |
| Ben Weaver |
posted 06/07/03 12:59 PM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
Sue, I think it must be quite rare. I haven't come across it before. According to Malcolm Macfarlane's excellent book "Day By Day" the LP was recorded in April 1960 and released later that fall. I believe this was their only effort at recording as a three-some. Gary had gone on his own sometime earlier. |
| David Lobosco |
posted 06/08/03 07:59 AM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
Ben, That is indeed a rare find. I've been trying to find that record and any Gary Crosby or the other sons have made for years. From what I heard, this record with the trio was made after they kicked Gary Crosby out of the group for trouble making. Some things never changed for Gary Crosby! |
| Lars |
posted 06/10/03 02:03 AM Central Time (US) contact the author directly
A friend bought "Presenting the Crosby Brothers" for me on a record auction some years ago. I didn't even know it existed until he showed it to me. But like I said before, I've also got a 45 with the Crosby Brothers. I don't know If they've recorded more than that together. When it comes to Gary I've found 3 LP's and 2 45's (as a soloartist i.e. not counting the duets with Bing and Satchmo). But still not any of Phil's recordings... Or Lindsay's - I believe he also tried to make it as a popsinger. I don't have a clue if Dennis recorded anything on his own? I've found out that Phil recorded on Reprise (at least his recording of "Where the blue..."). Gary's LP's are more in the jazzgenre - with a bluesy feeling. And usually they contained quite a few songs that daddy Bing also had recorded. "The happy bachelor" was the first I found. It was a re-issue made in Japan in the 80's. But the other two are originals. One of them recorded in Germany. The Chris Crosby LP was more of a surprise when I found it at a fleamarket as I had no idear Bob had a son who made records. But the name Crosby always make me look at least twice - even if there's no mentioning of Bing. It's really not a bad record (of it's type). |