WE WELCOME THOSE WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN BING CROSBY. YOU WILL BE ASKED THREE QUESTIONS WHEN YOU REGISTER. DEPENDING ON YOUR ANSWERS, WE WILL EITHER APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP. This requirement arises from misuse of the forum by a few.
KEEP AN EYE ON:-
Jon Oye keeps adding images to his site Contemplations on Classic Movies and Music
David Lobosco has continual additions to his site The Bing Crosby News Archive
Tony Mead adds photos and other interesting material Bing's Photos
NOTE: If you are having trouble logging in, please contact David Lobosco at davidlobosco@yahoo.com.
1 of 1- jeremyrose
- Senior Member
Offline - Registered: 30/3/2011
- Posts: 331
Gary Giddins biography audiobook
I've just finished listening to the unabridged audiobook version of Vol. 1 of the Gary Giddins biography of Bing, downloaded from Amazon's 'Audible' division. It's been a couple of years since I last re-read the 'physical' book, but for some reason, listening to the audiobook version for the first time has made me realise even more keenly what an absolutely amazing feat of research, scholarship and downright bloody good writing this is! Giddins's analyses of the most significant of Bing's recordings from the very early Whiteman days through to the early Jack Kapp/Decca sessions are models of erudition, coupled with an obvious affection for, and appreciation of, Bing's prodigious talents. I listen through earphones whilst I'm out walking, and when I get home - having made a mental note of the recordings Giddins has focused on - I invariably take the relevant CD volume of 'The Chronological Bing Crosby' down from the shelf, together with the 'physical' book, and listen again with the analyses in front of me. I've found it to be a very rewarding exercise and would be interested to hear whether any other CFW contributors have had a similar experience.
- tedn
- Member
Offline
- Registered: 12/3/2017
- Posts: 41
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
I finally read Volume 2 last year after having to put it off due to work and family obligations, and I had the same reaction. Bing fans are so blessed that someone with Giddins' breadth of knowledge and superlative writing skills decided to become Crosby's biographer. I also think the fact Giddins wanted to do the book(s) reinforces how Bing really is a touchstone to understand so much of 20th Century pop culture.
I still hope we get Volume 3. Giddins is only 75, and Robert Caro is still writing the LBJ series in his 80s!
- Ron Field
- Senior Member
Offline
- Registered: 23/11/2010
- Posts: 891
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
If a third book is ever published I expect I’ll have to visit the library in the sky, being presently in my 90th. Year.
- Blonde56
- Seasoned Member
Offline
- Registered: 13/7/2020
- Posts: 231
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
Ron, You can always dial "O" for O'Malley if you are going to heaven. Bing will tell you the rest.😇😇
- Ron Field
- Senior Member
Offline
- Registered: 23/11/2010
- Posts: 891
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
I’m sure he will. Think I mentioned that he phoned me at work in London after I invited him to my golf course.
That was when he was in London for a week recording with Fred, but no golf clubs
- Blonde56
- Seasoned Member
Offline
- Registered: 13/7/2020
- Posts: 231
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
Ron, See he already knows you. Maybe he will have his golf clubs with him.
- Colin Bratkovich
- Sustaining Member
Offline
- Registered: 08/10/2020
- Posts: 54
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
Gary Giddins was already an established 'jazz' writer, before getting deeply into Bing. His fresh and crisp writing, in 2 books (so far) about Bing ,are very well researched, and easy to follow. I look forward to his 3rd volume. I do have however, ONE issue./ In his first volume A POCKET FULL OF DREAMS, on page 183, he notes that Rhythm Boy (Bing) was NOT in the studio (Sept.19,1928) to be part of the vocals in Paul Whiteman recording CHRISTMAS MELODIES.(Giddins reports the Rhythm Boys were in Toledo). Before this time, ALL previous discographers ,including the likes of ( Edward J. Mello & Tom McBride) report the Rhythm Boys vocals ON the recording. Some specifically claim his vocal on NOEL. Had the recording been done in the morning, before leaving New York City? Or the date cancelled? Or the recording date itself wrong? It should also be noted that since Giddins, others ,like (DAHR),still claim the Rhythm Boys on this 1928 recording. My own ears cannot be sure-although ,even without Bing, it's still an excellent recording. With Bing, it's a bit more.
- Malcolm Macfarlane
- Senior Member
Offline
- From: Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK
- Registered: 22/11/2010
- Posts: 836
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
September 17–19, 1928. Monday–Wednesday. The trio’s next venue is Keith’s at Toledo, Ohio, where it is said that the theater manager rings the curtain down in their faces following an off-color joke.
Last edited by Malcolm Macfarlane (07/6/2023 5:31 pm)
- David Lobosco
- Moderator
Offline
- From: Pennsylvania
- Registered: 21/11/2010
- Posts: 1,562
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
Any word if a volume 3 is even on the table at this point?
- jeremyrose
- Senior Member
Offline
- Registered: 30/3/2011
- Posts: 331
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
David Lobosco wrote:
Any word if a volume 3 is even on the table at this point?
I'm pretty sure that Giddins has said that all the research for Vol. 3 has been completed - including extensive and apparently very frank interviews with Kathryn - and it just needs the go-ahead from the publishers for it to be turned into book form. I say 'just', but I have to say I personally think it's a pretty long shot that we'll ever see a third volume. I sincerely hope I'm wrong..!
- •
Thread Starter- David Lobosco
- Moderator
Offline
- From: Pennsylvania
- Registered: 21/11/2010
- Posts: 1,562
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
Any word if a volume 3 is even on the table at this point?
I'm pretty sure that Giddins has said that all the research for Vol. 3 has been completed - including extensive and apparently very frank interviews with Kathryn - and it just needs the go-ahead from the publishers for it to be turned into book form. I say 'just', but I have to say I personally think it's a pretty long shot that we'll ever see a third volume. I sincerely hope I'm wrong..!
I agree with you unfortunately.
- Ian Kerstein
- Senior Member
Offline
- From: Nottingham. United Kingdom.
- Registered: 19/2/2022
- Posts: 398
Re: Gary Giddins biography audiobook
I heard Gary Giddens say in an interview, posted on YouTube that the appearance of a third volume with his publisher of volume two, would depend on the success of the second volume.
This volume was, as many of you will be more than aware on here, due to Mr Giddens unexpectedly having been given access by the now recently late Kathryn Crosby, to a trunkful of Bing's wartime correspondence. Its contents, along with the now unstinting cooperation of Kathryn, convincing Gary (and his publishers) to devote what was to have been the second and final volume, to it being mostly devoted to Bing's war years.
Is there anyone on here that is able to shine any light as to how successful volume two was? I appreciate there will be other mitigating reasons as to why volume three may not appear - but it would just be useful to know if one of the factors would be whether or not that Gary (and I assume his agent) would have to (or indeed wish) to seek out another publisher?
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (02/10/2024 6:33 am)