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1 of 1- ModernBingFan0377
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Ol' Man River Recordings
1928-with Paul Whiteman
1941-?
1945-Caramata
1954-Buddy Cole Trio
I've listened to 3/4 of these being the 1928, (1941 or 1945 version), and the 1954. What one is your favorite? Mine would have to be any of his ballad versions.
Also if someone can, may they send me the 1941 and 45 ones?
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- ModernBingFan0377
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
It doesn’t as a ballad, although I still like his version, but as a swing it fits. Now Old Man River as a swinging song doesn’t fit necessarily, but the way Bing does it almost makes up for it.
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Thread Starter- Ron Field
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
I like this song by Bing especially the earlier renditions.
The 1945 recording is at a different arrangement and tempo than those by other artists which sang it in the normal rendition.
Bing also sang it at his concerts in a faster beat as well.
That 1945 I don’t care for much.
- ModernBingFan0377
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
Then I don't think I've heard the 1945 one then. There's 2 'unmarked' versions on YouTube, that, since I don't have those versions on CD, I can't identify.
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Thread Starter- John Turner
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
The 1954 version, although all are great.
- Lobosco
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
Out of his commerical recordings, it has to be the 1928 one with Paul Whiteman.
However, my favorite version is the one he did for his TV special in 1959.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTqSgCHy9c
- ModernBingFan0377
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
That one is wonderfully relaxed.
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Thread Starter- John Turner
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
Lobosco wrote:
Out of his commerical recordings, it has to be the 1928 one with Paul Whiteman.
However, my favorite version is the one he did for his TV special in 1959.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTqSgCHy9c
I hadn't seen that. Thanks for sharing!
- Graham Pascoe
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
Bing does a great job of the up-tempo versions so I like the Whiteman and TV versions.
- Ian Kerstein
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Re: Ol' Man River Recordings
Oh the 1928 Whiteman one. As a lover and admirer of Paul Robeson's definitive version, I think the up tempo treatments are such a super and (when I was younger) unexpected contrast. Bing is so natural and subtle on this version. The 1954 Buddy Cole recording runs a close, glorious (perhaps more fulsomely rhythmic) second.
Last edited by Ian Kerstein (02/4/2022 7:29 pm)