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1 of 1- Azteca
- Member
Offline - Registered: 31/10/2014
- Posts: 13
Where to start with Kraft Music Hall recordings
Hello all, I'm still a neophyte in the world of Bing. it's clear the Kraft Music Hall shows represent a significant time in his career.
My question for you all: where would you start with the KMH recordings? What would you consider the definitive CD versions? My public library has several volumes put out by Laserlight, though from checking the online discography () I see the content was also put out by Newsound.
Please advise, keeping in mind that I plan on purchasing most of the Jonzo series a disc or two at a time over the next year or two. Let me know if this content is produced on any ICC releases.
Thank you.
- Richard Baker
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- From: Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Engl
- Registered: 20/11/2010
- Posts: 1,542
Re: Where to start with Kraft Music Hall recordings
Well Azteca, you are certainly correct about KMH representing a major part of Bing's radio career. Obviously the audio quality is not up to the standard of later series because recording technology was far less well developed.
If your reference to Laserlight covers the set of CDs "WWII Radio" nos 12 298 et seq, these are well recorded and cover complete shows, though there are some edits and in at least one instance a substitution. They cover shows from the 1943/5 period. I do not think they are still available but should I think be more easy to find than Newsound on the used market.
You can listen to some of the shows which are streamed from the BingCrosby.com site here
ICC issued an admirable CD in 2011 covering an earlier period of Kraft - 1935/6 "BING CROSBY and the KRAFT MUSIC HALL - RARE ORIGINAL SURVIVORS" but I do not know if it is still available. (Malcolm?)
This takes selected songs rather than whole shows though there is a very large part of the very first KMH broadcast.
A very good set that should be still available is the 4 CD set from JSP "BING CROSBY - THE VINTAGE YEARS" JSP934
This is not all KMH, but two of the four discs are. The other two discs are from the Chesterfield and Philco shows.
Search on my discography site here on the various issue titles to see what songs are present on these issues.
- Malcolm Macfarlane
- Senior Member
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- From: Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK
- Registered: 22/11/2010
- Posts: 836
Re: Where to start with Kraft Music Hall recordings
Yes, the "Rare Original Survivors" CD is still available from Wig or Michael Crampton.
- Richard Baker
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- From: Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Engl
- Registered: 20/11/2010
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Re: Where to start with Kraft Music Hall recordings
Malcolm Macfarlane wrote:
Yes, the "Rare Original Survivors" CD is still available from Wig or Michael Crampton.
Thank you Malcolm. It's a fascinating issue because, quite apart from the entertainment value, it has so much from those early KMH shows, many of which have not survived. A real piece of history.
- TinPanFan
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- Registered: 13/3/2014
- Posts: 1
Re: Where to start with Kraft Music Hall recordings
Richard, Malcom, et al,
I would love to have a copy of this CD. Could you please provide some details re contacting Mr. Crampton or Mr. Wiggins?
Thank you.
- Richard Baker
- Moderator
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- From: Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Engl
- Registered: 20/11/2010
- Posts: 1,542