I haven't received mine as of yet.

Thanks Malcolm!

Has anyone in North America received their copy yet?  If so, what are your first impressions?

My copy arrived today.  I'm in the US, so most US folks should hopefully received theirs soon!

I got my book and it is really out of this world. Well worth the wait!

Mine arrived yesterday afternoon to northwest Tennessee! I haven't had the time to look through it carefully yet, but what little I've seen is really impressive, and definitely worth the wait! 

Last edited by Anton G.-F. (29/1/2015 7:20 pm)

Okay, time for my first question about the book to anyone who can answer (after a quick run through last night):

The book says that there is a test of "My Blue Heaven" on the CCM-061 Paul Whiteman "Greatest Hits" CD from Collectors Choice.  But if this is the correct CD:

http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Whiteman-Greatest-Hits/dp/tracks/B00000I9FQ/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1

...I don't see it list "My Blue Heaven" on that CD.  Is this a typo?

Last edited by zanereed (30/1/2015 2:12 am)

zanereed wrote:

Okay, time for my first question about the book to anyone who can answer (after a quick run through last night):

The book says that there is a test of "My Blue Heaven" on the CCM-061 Paul Whiteman "Greatest Hits" CD from Collectors Choice.  But if this is the correct CD:

http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Whiteman-Greatest-Hits/dp/tracks/B00000I9FQ/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1

...I don't see it list "My Blue Heaven" on that CD.  Is this a typo?

Zane. the listing on Amazon seems to be incorrect. There is a comprehensive review on the Amazon site from Lee Watkins drawing attention to the errors. He shows My Blue Heaven as track 15. However there are perils in using what I can only call a generic title to identify CDs. I much prefer to see issuers and catalogue numbers identified as well. I wish Amazon and other suppliers would be more specific. Titles such as "Best of - - -" "Greatest Hits of  - -" proliforate and can be very confusing. 

 

Richard, the version on the Jonzo CD runs 2:51 whilst the test is said to be 2:57. There are several versions on Spotify which vary from 2:58 to 2:59. Which versions are these? How can one detect the differences?

I cannot find any substantive difference between any of the versions on Spotify and the Jonzo. There are differences in transfer - the Jonzo has a slightly more gradual build into the sound - you hear more "atmosphere" for the merest fraction of a second at the beginning. The Spotify versions vary by up to an additional 4 seconds. The remainder of the difference in the "readout" timing is of silence.

One of the Spotify versions has been transferred at a slightly erratic speed compared to the others (only evident when all are played in unison or viewed on the visual trace) and a couple have a wider dynamic compared to Jonzo, probably produced artificially. However after retiming all of them to run in unison they sound identical,  so none are from the "Test" take 4 version. It would be useful if Wig or Jim could identify where the differences lie on the Collector's Choice CD which so far as I can see is not on Spotify.  I personally will not run out to get the Collector's Choice CD - it's really the Whiteman band with a Jack Fulton vocal and if you can hear Bing in there, sorting him out from Charles Gaylord, Al Rinker, and Austin Young,  you have extremely good hearing. 


  

I think it is time to remind ourselves that Richard Baker is worthy of "international treasure" status among we Crosby fans for his ability to ferret out information like that...as is Wig Wiggins, too, for his work on this amazing discography book.  Has everyone noticed, additionally, the care taken in making sure it has a binding that will stand up to years of frequent use as a reference.  I was very happy to see that.

Thank you, Richard, for your clarification and your research regarding "My Blue Heaven" and the Whiteman "Greatest Hits" CD!  I must also echo Steve's sentiments, as well 

As for the book itself, it's very, very good.  I intend to use it as my handy reference guide that will be close to all of my Bing CDs. From what I read there, a companion volume for the released radio shows will hopefully be forthcoming soon...?

However, I still intend to also use Richard's very valuable online discography as well.  I cannot stress enough how helpful that was when I was looking for Bing CDs in the post-Decca years! My collection is by no means complete, but certain CDs were much quicker to track down once I knew what took look for. Thank you again, Richard!