Bing Crosby

This unauthorized LP assembles a variety of recordings from Bing Crosby's career in the 1930s and '40s, many of which were not intended for commercial exposure, either because they were made for private purposes or because they were bloopers or outtakes. There are also some humorous radio transcriptions that did reach broadcast. Crosby fans will enjoy the peeks into the recording studio provided by "fluff" performances of songs like "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" and "Jingle Bells" (with the Andrews Sisters), in which Crosby makes a mistake and then begins improvising lyrics, sometimes including off-color language. There is also a studio argument between Crosby and Decca Records president Jack Kapp, although it's not entirely clear what it's about. Special compositions include "Rollicking Rockaway Raoul," a song making fun of film director Raoul Walsh, who worked with Crosby on Going Hollywood, and "The Seventh Air Force Song," a patriotic number that employs mild vulgarities in the name of praising the military. Among the radio excerpts, "Your All Time Flop Parade," a parody of the radio series Your Hit Parade, delightfully matches Crosby with Judy Garland and the Andrews Sisters, and there is a comedy sketch with his longtime friend and comic rival Bob Hope. Bordering on bootleg status, this album is for fans only, but those fans will enjoy it immensely. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide