Best of Bing Crosby: 20th Century Masters/The Christmas Collection

by Bing Crosby

Overview

This edition in Universal's discount-priced compilation series 20th Century Masters/The Christmas Collection is actually a re-titled reissue of the 1999 collection The Very Best of Bing Crosby Christmas, itself a single-disc distillation of the two-CD set The Voice of Christmas/The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook. It is an excellent 18-track album sampling Crosby's holiday-related recordings made between 1942 and 1956, ranging from religious efforts like "Silent Night" to a medley of traditional carols ("Deck the Halls," "Away in a Manger," and "I Saw Three Ships"); World War II-era seasonal standards such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas"; and, finally, a restored version of the original 1942 recording of "White Christmas." (The song was so popular that Crosby had to re-record it in 1947 because the first master recording was wearing out; ironically, it's the later version, more commonly used since then, that is better known.) There are plenty of Christmas compilations by Crosby, who remains best remembered for his holiday recordings; this is the best single-disc one, released at an attractive price. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	09/23/2003
Label:	Geffen / Mca / Universal / Universal Music
UPC:	0008811323226
Rank:	41231

Tracks

1. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
2. Adeste Fideles
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
4. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
5. That Christmas Feeling
6. Christmas Carols: Deck the Halls/Away in a Manger/I Saw Three Ships
7. Jingle Bells
8. Silent Night
9. Christmas Is A-Comin'
10. The First Noel
11. I'll Be Home for Christmas
12. Here Comes Santa Claus
13. The Christmas Song
14. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
15. Silver Bells
16. Sleigh Ride
17. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
18. White Christmas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bing Crosby   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Reggie Young   Primary Artist
The Andrews Sisters   Primary Artist,Vocals
Ken Darby Singers   Primary Artist,Vocals,Ensemble
Ken Lane Singers   Primary Artist,Vocals,Ensemble
Max Terr's Mixed Chorus   Primary Artist
Jeff Alexander Choir   Primary Artist
Vic Schoen & His Orchestra   Primary Artist,Ensemble
John Scott Trotter   Primary Artist
Vic Schoen   Primary Artist
Jeff Alexander Chorus   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Buddy Cole & His Orchestra   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Carol Richards   Primary Artist
Simon Rady & His Orchestra and Choir   Ensemble
Lee Gordon Singers   Ensemble
John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra   Ensemble
Victor Young & His Orchestra   Ensemble

Technical Credits

Leroy Anderson   Composer
Frank Luther   Composer
Frederick Oakeley   Composer
Jay Livingston   Composer
Vartan   Art Direction
Oakley Haldeman   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Robert Wells   Composer
William Sandys   Composer
Jim Phillips   Editing,Assembly
Beth Stempel   Coordination
F.B. "Wig" Wiggins   Liner Notes
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   Composer
Ryan Rogers   Design
David Currington   Transfers,Restoration,Sonic Restoration
Eugene Autry   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Johnny Marks   Composer
Andy McKaie   Coordination
Steve Lasker   Transfers,Restoration,Sonic Restoration
Billy Sherrill   Composer
J. Fred Coots   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Kim Gannon   Composer
Gene Autry   Composer
Franz Gruber   Composer
James Pierpont   Composer
Joseph Mohr   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Mel Torme   Composer
Ray Evans   Composer
Buck Ram   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
John Francis Wade   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
Meredith Willson   Composer
Walter Kent   Composer