Music
Bing Crosby-style country
By JORDAN RANE
Web exclusive
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Photos courtesy Northeastern Nevada Historical Society and Museum
Bing Crosby and his sons
No one carried a tune like Bing Crosby. If you're thinking "White Christmas," it might come as a surprise that the crooner recorded dozens of timeless country hits — tunes you really ought to hear before next Christmas. Where do you find them? Start with these CDs and DVDs.
• Jump to Bing's country mp3 playlist
Bing Crosby Sings the Great Country Hits
(Collector's Choice)
Bing allegedly had a cold during the original 1963 recording session of these soulful classics (including "Oh, Lonesome Me," "Wabash Cannon Ball," and "Hello Walls"), but he turned down Capitol's request to rerecord it — confirming his nickname "one-take Crosby." None of his fans seemed to mind. The discontinued CD is now paired with Bing's Dixieland-inspired duet album with Rosemary Clooney, That Travelin' Two-Beat (it's available new and used on Amazon.com).
Cowboy Country Crosby Style
(Jasmine Music)
Half of Bing's all-time classic cowboy tunes are on this 21-track compilation, which features "You Are My Sunshine," "Don't Fence Me In," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," and Crosby's immortal "Home on the Range."
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Crosby opening the mail bag at the office at his ranch.
Another Ride in Cowboy Country
(Jasmine Music)
Here's the other half. More than 20 additional timeless hits, including "I'm an Old Cowhand," "Dear Hearts and Gentle People," and the show-stealing "Pistol Packin' Mama" with the legendary Andrews Sisters.
How the West Was Won
(Bear Family)
Originally inspired by a series of Life magazine articles about the rise of the American West, this recent CD reissue (taken from the 1959 RCA Victor double LP) brings a rare collector's item back into circulation. Bing sings nearly half of the album's 43 tracks (often pairing up with Rosemary Clooney); other standouts include performances by harmonica wizard Sam Hinton, legendary picker-singer Jimmie Driftwood, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Rhythm on the Range
(Universal)
Bing portrays an easygoing cowboy heading back to his ranch from a New York rodeo competition in this thinly plotted movie that's all about the musical interludes. The big numbers are Crosby's "Empty Saddles" solo (on horseback) and a spirited "I'm an Old Cowhand" ensemble featuring Martha Raye's debut and early appearances by Louis Prima and a then-unknown Roy Rogers singing with the Sons of the Pioneers. The DVD is coupled with Rhythm on the River, another Crosby charmer co-starring Mary Martin.
• Read the full story on Bing Cosby in the July 2009 issue
Most of the timeless country hits on our Bing Crosby playlist are available for download. Click the module below to purchase tracks or listen to clips.
Along the Santa Fe Trail
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Don't Fence Me In
El Rancho Grande
Empty Saddles (In the Old Corral)
Home On the Range
I'm an Old Cowhand
The Last Round-Up
Legend of Old California
Mexicali Rose
New San Antonio Rose
Pistol Packin' Mama
You Are My Sunshine
• Do you have iTunes downloaded on your computer? Click here to listen to our playlist of Bing Crosby country songs.
