''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' was

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

's second studio album for

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

, recorded and released as a

10" LP The LP (from "long playing" or "long play") is an analog sound storage medium, a phonograph record format characterized by: a speed of rpm; a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter; use of the "microgroove" groove specification; and a ...

in 1954. The 1954 edition of ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' featured eight standards mastered on June 26, 1953, from tracks recorded for Crosby's weekly CBS

radio show A radio program, radio programme, or radio show is a segment of content intended for broadcast on radio. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series. A single program in a series is called an episode. Radio networ ...

with a trio led by Crosby's regular pianist Buddy Cole. Crosby's 1957 Decca LP '' New Tricks'' also features songs recorded for radio accompanied by Cole. Decca later expanded ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' into a 12" LP by adding four more tracks that were recorded in 1954 and 1955: "

In a Little Spanish Town "In a Little Spanish Town ('Twas on a Night Like This)" is a popular song published in 1926. The music was written by Mabel Wayne, and the lyrics by Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young. With Jack Fulton's vocals, the song was a 1927 hit for Paul Whiteman & ...

," " Honeysuckle Rose," "

Ol' Man River "Ol' Man River" is a show tune from the 1927 musical ''Show Boat'' with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The song contrasts the struggles and hardships of African Americans with the endless, uncaring flow of the Mississipp ...

" and " Swanee". The 8-track was issued on CD in 1993 by MCA Records in Japan. In 1998 it was included in a double CD called ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts & New Tricks'' issued by MCA. All eight of the original tracks from ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' were released by Sepia Records on the 2010 CD ''Through the Years: Volume Five (1953)''. In 2014, Bing Crosby Enterprises and Universal Music issued a deluxe, 23-track version of the album to mark its 60th anniversary.

Reception

Record producer Ken Barnes wrote, "Bing is in excellent voice — thanks to an intelligent choice of keys — and accompanied only by the Buddy Cole Trio (piano, bass and drums). The recording quality is truly superb. The only criticism is an alarming sameness in the presentation of each song (first chorus slow, second chorus fast — or, at least, moderately bright). But perhaps this is being churlish when the standard of performance is so high. Apart from Bing's glorious vocals (his performance of 'Sleepy Time Gal' is absolutely definitive), there is Buddy Cole's dazzling piano work." William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote, "The circumstances surrounding the appearance of the LP reflect the reduced significance of recording to the singer; as he aged into his fifties, he cut back somewhat on his professional activities, notably recording ... Nevertheless, the actual performances are comfortable and confident, as the singer takes a slightly jazzy approach to the familiar material."

Track listing

# "Do You Ever Think of Me" ( Earl Burtnett/John Cooper/ Harry D. Kerr) – 2:42 # "I Never Knew (That Roses Grew)" ( Ted Fio Rito/ Gus Kahn) – 2:37 # "

Somebody Loves Me "Somebody Loves Me" is a popular song, with music written by George Gershwin, and lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva. The song was published in 1924 and featured in '' George White's Scandals'' of 1924. This is not to be confuse ...

" ( Buddy DeSylva/ George Gershwin/ Ballard MacDonald) – 2:02 # " After You've Gone" ( Henry Creamer/ Turner Layton) – 2:03 # "Sleepy Time Gal" (Joseph Reed Alden/

Raymond B. Egan Raymond Blanning Egan (November 14, 1890 – October 13, 1952) was a Canadian-American songwriter of popular music. Many of his songs have appeared in films and musical theatre. He often collaborated with composer Richard A. Whiting. Early life ...

/Ange Lorenzo/

Richard A. Whiting Richard Armstrong Whiting (November 12, 1891 – February 19, 1938) was an American composer of popular songs, including the standards "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" and "On the Good Ship Lollipop". He also wrote lyrics occasiona ...

) 2:31 # "

Dinah In the Book of Genesis, Dinah (; ) was the seventh child and only daughter of Leah and Jacob, and one of the matriarchs of the Israelites. The episode of her violation by Shechem, son of a Canaanite or Hivite prince, and the subsequent vengean ...

" ( Harry Akst/ Sam M. Lewis/ Joe Young) – 2:20 # "I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody)" (Raymond B. Egan/Roy Marsh/Thomas Pitts) – 1:45 # " I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" ( Dorothy Fields/ Jimmy McHugh) – 2:29

Personnel

* Bing Crosby – vocals * Buddy Cole – piano, arranger, conductor *

Perry Botkin Sr. Perry Botkin (July 22, 1907October 14, 1973) was an American jazz guitarist, banjoist, and composer. Career Born in Springfield, Ohio, Perry Botkin started working in the 1920s for Wayne Euchner, who had a big band in West Baden, Indiana. Aroun ...

– guitar * Don Whitaker – bass (tracks 1–3, 5–7) * Phil Stephens – bass (tracks 4 and 8) *

Nick Fatool Nick Fatool (January 2, 1915 – September 26, 2000) was an American jazz drummer. Music career He was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, United States. Fatool first played professionally in Providence, Rhode Island, which he followed with time i ...

– drums

References

{{Authority control Bing Crosby albums 1954 albums Decca Records albums Albums arranged by Buddy Cole (musician) Albums conducted by Buddy Cole (musician)