Bing Crosby

The two-disc, 50-track collection Too Marvellous for Words boasts virtually all of Der Bingle's massive hits of the 1930s and '40s, beginning in 1931 (his first chart-topper, "Out of Nowhere") and ending in 1948 (his last, "Now Is the Hour"). And though producer Geoff Milne ignores the usual standby for compilation track listings (straight chronological order), his grouping of songs by themes works very well; late on the first disc comes a series of Crosby's later out-West gems, that period when he swung lightly and seemingly without a care ("San Fernando Valley," "I'm an Old Cowhand," "Swinging on a Star," "Don't Fence Me In," "Alexander's Ragtime Band"). His crooner lyrics appear throughout the second disc: "Sunday, Monday or Always," "Love in Bloom," "It's Easy to Remember," "Soon," "Moonlight Becomes You." The sound is solid as well, though the notes and accompanying information are far too brusque for the weight of Crosby's career. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide