Posted by Ben Clinkenbeard on April 02, 1999 at 21:10:15:
I have this record in my collection and I am wondering if anyone might have some history on it. It's a 33rpm, but the size of a 45rpm record.
The sleeve has head shots of Hope and Crosby, with the wilderness
of the state as a backdrop. The music and lyrics are by Les Baxter and it's on a Capitol label. The label mentions "....stars of The Road to Hong Kong" so I know it dates from around 1962, and it was put out by the state of Minnesota. Thanks in advance!
Posted by Arne on April 03, 1999 at 03:02:45:
In Reply to: On the Vacation Road To Minnesota posted by Ben Clinkenbeard on April 02, 1999 at 21:10:15:
I'm from Minnesota, so I do have lots of info on that record! I bought it the year it came out (1962) at the Minnesota State Fair - it was on display in a building by the grandsatand (I'll never forget) They had dozens of 'em - and the price was right: 25 CENTS APIECE! - I was 13 years old. Many years later, during the 80s when I was working in the advertising business, I worked with the guy who had written and co-produced the disc. he told me the fascinating fact that BING & BOB WERE NOT EVEN TOGETHER WHEN THEY RECORDED THEIR PARTS! Bob recorded his portion in a studio, but Bing's lines were recorded on his boat - they came to him!! After learning this, I listened to the disc for the first time in many years, and sure enough, Bing's lines have a different quality, not quite as "sharp" a sound as Hope's. The difference is very slight, and I don't think I ever would have noticed if the writer hadn't tipped me off. Well, anyway, there you have "more than you ever could want to know" about "The Vacation Road To Minnesota" record!
Posted by Lars Roth on April 08, 1999 at 05:58:55:
In Reply to: Re: On the Vacation Road To Minnesota posted by Arne on April 03, 1999 at 03:02:45:
I really enjoyed this information. This is one of those records you
otherwise never find any information about. I bought my copy from
another Swedish Bing-collector a few years ago as he at the time
didn't collect Bing on 45's (this may be a small 33 though, coming to
think of it - but never mind). But just a few months later he started
collecting Bing on 45's and had a hard time finding another copy (but
finally did though). It's one of those records you don't play very
often, but is nice to have in the collection... It's so very like
Bing to record his part on his boat - as I read recently (in the CD
New Tricks / Some fine old chestnuts !?) he also made recordings with
Buddy Cole for his radioshows in a studio built at the golfclub. I
always enjoy those kind of stories as I feel it tells a lot about
Bing's personality...