Bing Crosby sang as if he were addressing only one person with his voice.
“What Bing created was the art of intimacy,” says singer Tony Bennett. “He sang very quiet and very understated …. You’re singing to someone’s eyes, you’re singing to someone’s ears, and you don’t have to push.”
In this film excerpt, entertainer Michael Feinstein uses the song “Moonlight Becomes You,” from the film Road to Morocco (1942), to illustrate how Bing would change a song’s phrasing and melody to make it more conversational. Bing’s knack for adding something different to a song was something that songwriters never complained about, says Feinstein.
“Moonlight Becomes You” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Johnny Burke (lyrics).
Bing and Johnny Mercer sing a Medley of various songs from old-time radio, featuring: “Mr. Crosby, Mr. Mercer,” “Mr. Meadowlark,” and “On Behalf of the Visiting Fireman.”
Bing performs “Swanee” in his only live television special. Listen for Dean Martin having some fun in the background.
Bing performs a medley of “Rosie,” “Side By Side” and “On The Sunny Side of the Street,” with Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong.
Bing performs “Now You Has Jazz” with Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars
Bing, Mahalia Jackson and Dean Martin perform “For My Good Fortune.” This was Bing’s only live TV special.
Bing and two of his children, Mary and Nathaniel, hear a musical version of “Goldilocks,” featuring songs by the legendary songwriters, The Sherman Brothers. “The Human Race” is performed by animated bears, voiced by Bing and Kathryn.
Bing performs “The Jones Boy” with his twins Dennis and Phil.
A segment from this ‘live-to-tape’ special with Bing and James Garner, along with a surprise appearance by Dean Martin.
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