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Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “It’s Been A Long Long Time” by Bing Crosby – Memorial Day Special

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bingcrosby-1As our boys came home from World War II, they were welcomed back with this number one hit from 1945 that perfectly captured the sentiments of those who remained home while their loved ones were away.

It’s a perfect record in every way. You’d be hard pressed to find a better vocalist than Crosby to deliver these hopeful, romantic lyrics in a croon that is both smooth and warm. Meanwhile, the lilting melody expertly supplied by Jule Styne effortlessly supports the lyrics written by Sammy Cahn that spoke to millions of couples who had been separated by the war.

However, it’s the lyrical guitar playing of Les Paul that steals the show, with a tone as smooth and genial as Crosby’s croon. His licks are the epitome of tasteful and never overpower the proceedings, while the rest of the Les Paul Trio, featuring Jim Atkins (half-brother of Chet Atkins) on rhythm guitar and Ernie “Darius” Newton on bass, add the perfect support.

The song was also a number one recording for Harry James and his Orchestra with Kitty Kallen on vocals in 1945, and a chart hit for Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra with Irene Daye on vocals.

It’s been covered dozens of times by the likes of Stan Kenton with June Christy, Sammy Kaye, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith, Louis Armstrong, Al Hibbler, Guy Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, The Ink Spots, Rosemary Clooney, Brook Benton, Tom Jones and many others. Les Paul revisited the song several times throughout his career, cutting a version with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and nearly 30 years later another one with Chet Atkins on the Chester and Lester album.

This recording is the definition of timeless.

Song Of The Day – “It’s Been A Long Long Time” by Bing Crosby

by

bingcrosby-1As our boys came home from World War II, they were welcomed back with this number one hit from 1945 that perfectly captured the sentiments of those who remained home while their loved ones were away.

It’s a perfect record in every way. You’d be hard pressed to find a better vocalist than Crosby to deliver these hopeful, romantic lyrics in a croon that is both smooth and warm. Meanwhile, the lilting melody expertly supplied by Jule Styne effortlessly supports the lyrics written by Sammy Cahn that spoke to millions of couples who had been separated by the war.

However, it’s the lyrical guitar playing of Les Paul that steals the show, with a tone as smooth and genial as Crosby’s croon. His licks are the epitome of tasteful and never overpower the proceedings, while the rest of the Les Paul Trio, featuring Jim Atkins (half-brother of Chet Atkins) on rhythm guitar and Ernie “Darius” Newton on bass, add the perfect support.

The song was also a number one recording for Harry James and his Orchestra with Kitty Kallen on vocals in 1945, and a chart hit for Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra with Irene Daye on vocals.

It’s been covered dozens of times by the likes of Stan Kenton with June Christy, Sammy Kaye, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith, Louis Armstrong, Al Hibbler, Guy Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, The Ink Spots, Rosemary Clooney, Brook Benton, Tom Jones and many others. Les Paul revisited the song several times throughout his career, cutting a version with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and nearly 30 years later another one with Chet Atkins on the Chester and Lester album.

This recording is the definition of timeless.

Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Swinging On A Star” by Bing Crosby

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This Academy Award winner for Best Original Song was composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1944 film “Going My Way” in which Bing Crosby plays a priest. The song’s genesis came out of a meeting at Crosby’s house between him and Van Heusen to discuss music for the film. Crosby son came into the room to complain about going to school the next day. Van Heusen replied that if he didn’t go to school, he may turn out to be a mule. The song grew from there. While Crosby’s smooth delivery makes this the definitive version of the song, it has been recorded by numerous artists including Burl Ives, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Shari Lewis and Little Eva. The backing vocals on Crosby’s version are supplied by The Williams Brothers Quartet including a young Andy Williams.

Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Did You Ever See A Dream Walking” by Gene Austin

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The age of the crooners began in 1925 when recording technology changed from acoustical recording, where artists would sing into conical horns that fed into a cutter that etched sound waves onto wax, to electronic recording using microphones and amplification. The amplification allowed singers to sing smoothly and intimately. Austin was one of the very first crooners and a giant influence on Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He was a singer, songwriter and pianist who sold well over 80 million records during his career and wrote the jazz standards “When My Sugar Walks Down The Street,” “How Come You Do Me Like You Do?” and “Five Pennies.” He had hits with definitive early versions of such standards as “My Blue Heaven,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Ramona” and “Carolina Moon.” His son is ‘70s country star David Houston. On a personal note, my first came contact with this 1933 gem came from my grandfather who used to sing it all the time when I was a little kid.