''A Southern Memoir'' is a 1975 vinyl
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...
recorded by
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...
at his own expense at
TTG Studios, Los Angeles, California in January 1975. He was accompanied by
Paul Smith and his Orchestra. Crosby leased the tracks to the English branch of
Decca
Decca may refer to:
Music
* Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label
* Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group
* Decca Broadway, musical theater record label
* Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...
following negotiations with producer Geoff Milne and the album was issued on Decca's
London label.
The album was issued on CD by
Collectors' Choice Music (CCM 2160) in 2010 having been remixed from the original eight track master tapes by Robert S. Bader of Bing Crosby Enterprises. Seven bonus tracks were included in the CD.
Background
In January 1974, Crosby was seriously ill and after two weeks of tests, he underwent three and a half hours of major surgery. Two-fifths of his left lung and an abscess the size of a small orange were removed. The tumor was a rare fungus called
nocardia
''Nocardia'' is a genus of weakly staining Gram-positive, catalase, catalase-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. It forms partially acid-fast beaded branching filaments (appearing similar to fungi, but being truly bacteria). It contains a total of 8 ...
. There were concerns that he would not be able to sing again and his recuperation took many months. He eventually did some television work and then decided to return to the recording studio.
Reception
The UK magazine
The Gramophone reviewed the album saying: "Crosby can be sampled on his own to pleasant effect in “A Southern Memoir” which in conformity with its title is a relaxed, easy-going selection of numbers from below the Mason–Dixon line..."
Record producer,
Ken Barnes, wrote: "This collection of “Southern-cum-mammy” type songs was a pet project of Bing’s and his affection for the material reveals itself time and again throughout each of the twelve songs. The small-band backings arranged by pianist-conductor Paul Smith are beautifully written and very well played. Bing sings with greater spirit and drive than on his album with Basie and some of the tracks, notably “Carolina in the Morning,” “Swanee,” and “Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay” stand comparison with some of his best-ever up-tempo performances."
Personnel
Paul Smith (piano, conductor);
Frank Capp (drums); Tony Rizzi (guitar, January 16 session); Allen Reuss (guitar, January 21 session); Joe Valenti (trumpet);
Monty Budwig
Monte Rex Budwig (December 26, 1929 – March 9, 1992) was a West Coast jazz double bassist, professionally known as Monty Budwig.
Early life
Monte Rex Budwig was born in Pender, Nebraska, on December 26, 1929.His full birthname was Monte Rex ...
(bass);
Dick Nash
Richard Taylor Nash (born January 26, 1928) is an American jazz trombonist most associated with the swing (genre), swing and big band genres.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and began playing brass instruments at ten. He became more intere ...
(trombone);
Larry Bunker (percussion, January 16 session);
Vic Feldman (percussion, January 21 session); Dominic Mumolo (saxophone);
Don Raffell (saxophone), Johnny Rotella (saxophone).
Track listing
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Southern Memoir
1975 albums
Bing Crosby albums
London Records albums
1970s concept albums