An interesting review Anton.

Apart from the fact that some of the material was not best fitted to the artists, it is my personal belief that there could have been considerable improvement if the participants had been together in the studio.

You say "there doesn't appear to be a real connection between band and vocalist". Not surprising as they were separated by both time and space. Bing liked being with his musical support. 

The band recorded in Hollywood at the end of February/early March 1972, Bing overdubbed his contribution a couple of weeks later, in San Francisco.

But as you imply much is redeemed by three, possibly four, tracks but particularly "Hangin' Loose".

And I agree that the exclusion from the issued album of "If I Had A Hammer" is inexplicable. It is certainly better, in my view, than some of the tracks actually included.


 

I listen tio this LP often. I like it. Fine review!

That's an interesting review Anton but as I've not heard these recordings I'm unable to agree or disagree. I do have the Sinatra-Basie LP and believe it's definitely not one of Frank's best.

I find the "Bing with Basie" album very underwelming.  Had it had the kind of song choices and arrangements used in Tony Bennet's and Ella Fitzgerald's albums with Basie, the album would be unforgettable. Bing would have knocked it out of the park. Unfortunately, it didn't have those kinds of song choices or arrangements, and it is, sadly, rather forgettable.

To put it another way, I think Bing deserved to have top-notch, creative arrangements, and a set of excellent standards, going into that project.  I don't know why he didn't get that or who is to blame, but his talent deserved that, and he didn't get that level of quality music and material to work with.

Due to the meanderings of the big river, it looks like you'd be a good 3 hour drive almost due North of me.  A shorter drive when I was younger and only winked at the speed limit laws,  Maybe actually a lot longer than three hours, as I'm now a pokey old geezer who stays off of the Interstate to take the scenic route, not wanting to miss any of the cows and barns and old broken windmills along the way.  ;)

My older brother went to college in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, not far from Savannah, not so far up river from you. I've been through that country a few times.

I’ve been giving this album another listen, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot more this time. I think a good few things could’ve been done better, whether actually recording in studio, or song choice, but overall I find it a lot more enjoyable this time around.