Bing Crosby Enterprises has released two new CDs through Universal Music Enterprises, Bing Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook and Le Bing: Song Hits of Paris-60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.
Bing Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook is a new compilation celebrating Crosby’s recordings of songs composed by his friend and frequent collaborator, Johnny Mercer. The recordings span more than two decades, starting with a rare 1934 radio performance of “P.S. I Love You.” Other highlights include “Lazy Bones,” a duet with Louis Armstrong, and several of Bing’s Decca hits like “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” which features the Andrews Sisters, and “Mr. Meadowlark,” a duet with Mercer. Also included among the 22 selections are 10 previously unissued recordings, including “That Old Black Magic,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “Glow Worm,” and “Autumn Leaves.”
Bing Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook
1. P.S. I Love You
2. I’m An Old Cowhand
3. Too Marvelous for Words
4. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
5. Day In, Day Out
6. I Thought About You
7. Mister Meadowlark (w/ Johnny Mercer)
8. Skylark
9. Blues in the Night
10. That Old Black Magic
11. On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
12. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (w/ the Andrews Sisters)
13. Lazy Bones (w/ Louis Armstrong)
14. Autumn Leaves
15. In The Cool Cool Cool of the Evening
16. Jamboree Jones
17. When the World Was Young (Ah, the Apple Trees)
18. Glow Worm
19. Jeepers Creepers
20. And The Angels Sing
21. Something’s Gotta Give
22. P.S. I Love You
The CD release of Le Bing: Song Hits of Paris-60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is the first-ever reissue of Crosby’s first LP. The original 1953 release, recorded in Paris with Crosby singing in French, was an eight-song, 10-inch album and one of the first concept albums ever made. Crosby’s French language recordings include “La Vie en Rose” and “Mademoiselle de Paris.” The anniversary edition expands Le Bing to 23 tracks, 12 never before released, including rare studio outtakes and several English language bonus tracks, including a pair of Cole Porter favorites, “I Love Paris” and “Allez Vous En (Go Away.)”
Le Bing: Song Hits of Paris-60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Original album, remastered:
1. Mademoiselle de Paris
2. Embrasse-Moi Bien
3. Mon Couer est un Violin
4. La Vie en Rose
5. La Seine
6. Au Bord de l’eau
7. La Mer
8. Tu Ne Peux Pas Te Figurer
Bonus Content:
9. Allez Vous En
10. Domino
11. C’est Si Bon (w/ Jane Morgan)
12. Where Is Your Heart (Song from Moulin Rouge)
13. I Love Paris
14. Medley (w/ Lindsay Crosby): And He’d Say Ooh-La-La, Wee Wee
How You Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)
Oui Oui, Marie
15. Mademoiselle de Paris (English) U.S. DECCA SINGLE
16. Embrasse-Moi Bien (Hold Me Close) (English)
17. Embrasse-Moi Bien (French)
18. Mon Couer est un Violin (false start, breakdown & take 4)
19. Cela M’Est Egal (If It’s All The Same To You) (w/ Lindsay Crosby)
20. La Seine (English w/ last chorus in French)
21. La Seine (pickup French chorus)
22. La Seine (English w/ last chorus in French)