The two-CD set Havin’ Fun (Storyville) is taken from the Bing Crosby radio shows of 1949-51 that featured Louis Armstrong as his special guest. In addition to a lot of Dixielandish music, a special treat is hearing the often-hilarious verbal interplay of Crosby and Armstrong, with assists from trombonist Jack Teagarden, violinist Joe Venuti and singers Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Shore. Crosby’s affection toward Armstrong is obvious and, whether sharing the vocals on “Lazy Bones” and “Gone Fishin’,” reading witty lines that were prepared for the show or ad-libbing, they constantly crack each other up. Satch always steals the show and Bing loves it.
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