Bing Crosby - Radio Years, Vols. 1 & 2 (CD)

All Music Guide

GNP Crescendo's release of The Radio Years in 1987 (two volumes, available separately or together) wasn't the debut of these mid-'50s recordings, but for the first time master discs from Crosby's own collection were used, resulting in clear performances and, for the most part, excellent quality. Informal and gently swinging on most of the selections (a natural, considering the high novelty content on his shows), Crosby shines on favorites such as "Singin' in the Rain," "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," "Young at Heart," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Everybody Loves My Baby," and "That Lucky Old Sun." Of the 45 tracks available on both discs, about half are duets with special guests on the show, such as the Andrews Sisters, brother Gary Crosby, Connee Boswell, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Maurice Chevalier, and Peggy Lee. Inferior material on the second volume -- like "Zip a Dee Doo Dah," "Vaya con Dios," and an unfortunately dramatic reading of "On Top of Old Smokey" w...ith Burl Ives -- make it less essential than the first, but both are essential buys for Crosby fans. - John Bush, All Music Guide Read more Less