Solid!

Bing Crosby

Holiday Inn

MCA

Truly one of the best musicals ever produced, Holiday Inn combined the talents of singing great Bing Crosby and dance virtuoso Fred Astaire with a score by legendary composer Irving Berlin. The film introduced such classics as ''Be Careful It's My Heart'' and the Academy-Award winning ''White Christmas'' while also featuring Berlin standards like ''Easter Parade'' and ''Lazy.''

Every song from the film is included on this MCA release, although this is not a soundtrack album. With the exception of ''White Christmas,'' all of the songs are studio versions recorded by the actors during the time the film was made, a common practice in that era. Both Crosby and Astaire sing their respective numbers from the soundtrack, although songs that featured other performers, such as ''Happy Holiday'' and the rather unpolitically-correct ''Abraham,'' are Crosby solos here. The only exception is ''I'll Capture Your Heart,'' which has Margaret Lenhart singing Marjorie Reynolds' brief part.

The version of ''White Christmas'' included in this collection is a 1947 version, one of the definitive Crosby recordings of the tune. That song in particular captured the nation more than any other when the film was released in 1942, tugging at the heart strings of many as American servicemen spent their first holiday season overseas. It was Bing Crosby, more than anyone else, who was responsible for its success.

The sound quality of this CD is quite good. Though this is not the actual soundtrack these recordings were part of the official release at that time. Definitely worth getting.

Track Listing

• 1. Happy Holiday
• 2. Be Careful It's My Heart
• 3. Abraham
• 4. Easter Parade
• 5. Song of Freedom
• 6. I Can't Tell a Lie
• 7. Lazy
• 8. I'll Capture Your Heart
• 9. I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For
• 10. You're Easy to Dance With
• 11. White Christmas
• 12. Let's Start the New Year Off Right

Read other Bing Crosby reviews:

• Bing Crosby and Some Jazz Friends
• Love Songs
• On The Road (w/ Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour)
• Their Complete Recordings Together (w/ The Andrews Sisters)