In a unique career spanning more than half a century, Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (1903-1977) often recorded with other leading entertainers. Retrospective’s Gone Fishin’ is a superb compendium of 53 of these collaborations with no fewer than 33 of the “buddies” who have shared recordings with him and who have all added lustre to the Crosby legend.

The whole fishing expedition is lent a happy symmetry by opening and closing with Louis Armstrong. First joining forces in 1936 on Pennies From Heaven, they were still matching each other’s contrasting vocal cords 24 years later in Way Down Yonder In New Orleans.

Along the way is an extraordinarily star-studded collection of “buddies”, from Bing’s pre-solo role with Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys in 1930, through such partners as Bob Hope, Johnny Mercer, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney. Bing had particular success with famous harmony groups, and The Andrews Sisters, The Mills Brothers and others are well represented. From the Crosby clan itself, wife Dixie Lee (The Way You Look Tonight) and eldest son Gary (Sam’s Song etc.) join in the fun.

Altogether this is a fabulous catch to land from one enjoyable fishing trip!

Contents:
CD 1
1. Gone Fishin’ (Louis Armstrong)
2. Happy Feet (The Rhythm Boys)
3. Dinah (The Mills Brothers)
4. Shine (The Mills Brothers)
5. My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms (The Mills Brothers)
6. Pennies From Heaven (Frances Langford & Louis Armstrong)
7. The Way You Look Tonight (Dixie Lee Crosby)
8. Sweet Leilani (Lani Mcintyre & His Hawaiians)
9. Bob White, Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight? (Connee Boswell)
10. Small Fry (Johnny Mercer)
11. Mister Crosby And Mister Mercer (Johnny Mercer)
12. Gypsy Love Song (Frances Langford)
13. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider (The Foursome)
14. An Apple For The Teacher (Connee Boswell )
15. Dolores (The Merry Macs)
16. The Waiter And The Porter And The Upstairs Maid (Mary Martin & Jack Teagarden)
17. Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie (Mary Martin)
18. I’ll Capture Her Heart (Fred Astaire)
19. Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ (Trudy Erwin)
20. Pistol Packin’ Mama (The Andrews Sisters)
21. Swinging On A Star (The Williams Brothers Quartet)
22. Don’t Fence Me In (The Andrews Sisters)
23. My Baby Said “Yes” (Louis Jordan)
24. Mine (Judy Garland)
25. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive (The Andrews Sisters)
26. Put It There, Pal (Bob Hope)
27. Along The Navajo Trail (The Andrews Sisters)

CD 2
1. It’s Been A Long, Long Time (Les Paul)
2. I Can’t Begin To Tell You (Carmen Cavallaro)
3. South America, Take It Away (The Andrews Sisters)
4. A Couple Of Song And Dance Men (Fred Astaire)
5. I Still Suits Me (Lee Wiley)
6. Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Al Jolson)
7. The Whiffenpoof Song (Fred Waring & His Glee Club)
8. Busy Doing Nothing (Cedric Hardwicke & William Bendix)
9. Play A Simple Melody (Gary Crosby)
10. Sam’s Song (Gary Crosby)
11. If I Were A Bell (Patty Andrews)
12. Moonlight Bay (Gary Crosby)
13. When You And I Were Young Maggie Blues (Gary Crosby)
14. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening (Jane Wyman)
15. Watermelon Weather (Peggy Lee)
16. Chicago Style (Bob Hope)
17. Back In The Old Routine (Donald O’connor)
18. Well, Did You Evah? (Frank Sinatra)
19. Now You Has Jazz (Louis Armstrong)
20. True Love (Grace Kelly)
21. Brazil (Rosemary Clooney)
22. Fancy Meeting You Here (Rosemary Clooney)
23. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis (Rosemary Clooney)
24. Muskrat Ramble (Louis Armstrong)
25. The Preacher (Louis Armstrong)
26. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (Louis Armstrong)