Oh that's wonderful news, Carmela. I am so pleased. I had taken a look on a few US websites to see what was for sale and was about to suggest a couple of options. It really is a nice set, isn't it - where producer Ken Barnes took a lot of time and trouble in augmenting the original recordings. Have you a preference between this and the Mosaic set? 

You've now inspired me to slap on the "Tenth Anniversary Collection" and as I write, it's just ended playing "My Baby Just Cares For Me", the second song of the third disc of my UK black boxed set. Possibly because he'd only so sadly and tragically died a couple of years before, the newly added vocal chorus for this set replaces singing Rock Hudson's name (as featured on an earlier released LP collection) with Paul Newman's.

A few months ago, I mentioned during an online meeting in passing (we might have been discussing either outtakes or Bing's 'seventies recordings in general, I can't remember) when the triple CD disc compilation, "The Complete United Artists Sessions" came up in conversation. I mentioned that I didn't have a copy and if I remember correctly, was then directed to one or two places to obtain it. Just as I was about to place an order, on a hunch - I checked in my cupboard and you've guessed it - there it was! Furthermore I'd obtained it from one of the originally suggested sources!!!! 

As you say Carmela, "So hard to keep track ..."
... of the tracks!

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (07/10/2024 2:20 pm)

Yes, I think so far I've managed to avoid making any expensively duplicated mistakes! 
Do you prefer the Ken Barnes' added orchestral recordings or the Buddy Cole small group accompaniment of the Mosaic set? 

My feelings precisely, Carmela. I've been listening over the past few days to a couple of the Mosaic discs too, Bing's singing really shines through as so sincere, pure and with the ringing clarity of a perfectly cast bell. The minimal, uncluttered setting of just Buddy Cole's group, although different in style, reminds me in the same musically empathetically suited way of what Ralph  Sharon was to Tony Bennett, Bill Miller to Frank Sinatra, Ken Lane to Dean Martin and Nick Perito to Perry Como. 

Oh you lucky lady to have met Ken Barnes - and to have been at that very special conference. I've just been reading some lovely and lengthy reports about that splendid sounding event of over twenty years, ago. How I wish I could have at first known about it - and then attended! Now what's all this about leg shaving? 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (08/10/2024 11:06 pm)