Louis ARMSTRONG and Bing CROSBY – Fun with Bing and Louis

The 1st cut starts with Crosby's theme song and then has a two minute (approx) dialog between Crosby and Armstrong in which they banter back and forth humorously. It's good, but I will probably skip to the 2nd cut when the banter starts on subsequent listenings. The quality of the radio shows is so high as to make today's TV shows seem like "amateur hour" by comparison.

Armstrong was very highly revered by Crosby and it shows in the way Bing treats Louis on these cuts. There is a song in which Ella Fitzgerald joins Bing and Louis. There is a song in which Dinah Shore joins in. It all sounds so real and immediate, so full of life, that listening to it is almost like being transported back to the years 1949 to 1951. These two giants of music created in large measure America's sense of musical identity dring that era.

This is a wonderful CD that I can't imagaine not being cherished by generations to come for as long as man is on this planet. In summary, the more one knows about Bing and Louis, the more of their genius can be appreciated and savored. They knew each other since the 1920's and respected and admired each other. This is a great CD. Armstrong and Crosby cross-influenced each other, each trail-blazing and redefining jazz music in important ways. Hearing them together on one CD interacting with each other is a wonderful experience.

Track Listing

1. THEME & INTRODUCTION
2. LAZY RIVER
3. LAZY BONES [1st version]
4. BABY, WON'T YOU PLEASE COME HOME
5. BLUEBERRY HILL [1st version]
6. LAZY BONES [2nd version]
7. BLUEBERRY HILL [2nd version]
8. ROCKIN' CHAIR
9. ROCKIN' CHAIR [parody]
10. LA VIE EN ROSE
11. MY HONEY'S LOVIN' ARMS
12. YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE
13. ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
14. GONE FISHIN' [1st version]
15. A SONG IS BORN
16. GONE FISHIN' [2nd version]
17. I GET IDEAS
18. MEMPHIS BLUES
19. A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON