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1 of 1- David Lobosco
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Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
It's been quiet on this forum lately so I figured I would get some conversation started. On my facebook group, we started talking about Bing and Lionel Hampton's 1946 Decca Recording "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", and I always thought it was one of the worst Bing records.
I just relistened to it, and while as a Bing fan, it is not much - it is a pretty good Lionel Hampton record. What are your thoughts?
- David Lobosco
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
That is true - Bing seemed like an afterthought on the record. It is not a good Bing Crosby record, but if you listen to it for Lionel Hampton, it is a pretty good Hampton record.
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Thread Starter- Colin Bratkovich
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
Bing's vocal got thrown off Lionel Hampton's rhythm .Flawed, yet hardly dull listening! ( It's still a Crosby pick in my "Just Remember This") .
- STEPO
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
Sadly the Bing recordings with Lionel Hampton of "Pinetop" and "On The Subnny side Of The Street" i consider to be Bing's worst record from the 1940s Bing was out of sorts on these recordings meaning his voice was sounding a bit strained due to overuse of his voice during the war years , also both Tommy Dorsey and Frankie Laine recorded vastly superior versions of "Sunny Side" around that time as well which left Bing's and Lionel Hampton's version in the dust.
- Graham Pascoe
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
Australians were spared the opportunity to buy Bing's record of 'Pinetop's Boogie Woogie' as it wasn't released here as a single.
- STEPO
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
Personally i think the record is so substandard it should not have been released at all as Bing was not in good form vocally on the recording the single he did with Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five was much better.
- Aaron Tickner
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
I have a theory as to why Bing is a little off in the two Lionel Hampton tracks. He recorded these on the 21 January 1946.
Five days earlier, Bing recorded three outstanding tracks with Eddie Condon's group. Malcolm quotes an extract from Newsweek about the recording session in Day by Day. The following portion is the basis of my theory:
Although trouble loomed when Jack Kapp, president of Decca and Crosby-adviser-extraordinary on record policy, walked in and asked if “Wild Bill” Davison’s trumpet ought to stay so dirty. “You go back to the board of directors if you make one more remark,” Crosby said. “I’ve flown these boys in at great expense. Eddie flew in without a plane.”
Although Bing presented himself as confident and in control during this session, Kapp must have had words with him regarding these jazz sides. We know from his personal writings that Bing often doubted his vocal abilities and would stew on recent experiences. This difference of opinion may have rattled Bing enough to feel a little uncomfortable during the Lionel Hampton sessions.
Also the quaver placement in Hampton's interpretation of Swing is different to the Condon group. Maybe Bing just couldn't change groove.
Pinetop is a curiosity that I've never understood as to why it had to be done. Surely the decision makers could have thought of another song that would have equally showcased Bing and Hamp's unique gifts!
On the Sunny Side of the Street is the better obviously. However, a slightly quicker tempo and maybe Hampton using softer mallets would have helped.
It is a pity Bing and Lionel didn't do more to prove they could have waxed better.
Mind you, I still feel these Hampton sides we have are essential listening.
Last edited by Aaron Tickner (29/9/2026 9:58 am)
- STEPO
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Re: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
A pity that Decca didn't pair Bing with Louis Armstrong instead, Bing and Lionel Hampton's styles simply didn't mesh well together, Bing and Louis would have really cooked well together on "On The Sunny Sude Of The Street".
Last edited by STEPO (Yesterday 10:17 am)