Crosby Fan World / Ol' Man River Recordings

**Posted by ModernBingFan0377** 01/4/2020 10:07 pm

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?

**Posted by ModernBingFan0377** 02/4/2020 1:50 am

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.

**Posted by Ron Field** 02/4/2020 2:47 am

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.

**Posted by ModernBingFan0377** 02/4/2020 3:02 am

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.

**Posted by John Turner** 02/4/2020 10:26 am

The 1954 version, although all are great.

**Posted by David Lobosco** 04/4/2020 1:15 am

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

**Posted by ModernBingFan0377** 04/4/2020 1:55 am

That one is wonderfully relaxed.

**Posted by John Turner** 04/4/2020 10:39 am

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!

**Posted by Graham Pascoe** 11/4/2020 5:35 am

Bing does a great job of the up-tempo versions so I like the Whiteman and TV versions.

**Posted by Ian Kerstein** **Online!** 10/3/2022 3:15 am

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)

**Posted by STEPO** 12/7/2024 9:24 pm

I think Bing really only got the hang of the song recording wise when he recorded with Buddy Cole in 1955 but the song belongs to Paul Robeson.

**Posted by Ron1972** 24/9/2024 2:32 pm

I agree about the 1955 version, love the uptempo and Bing sounds like he's having fun signing it.

**Posted by Aaron Tickner** 29/9/2026 9:30 am

I mentioned on another thread concerning the Jonzo series that there is an alternate take of the 1928 version.

I first came across it on the "Bix Restored Volume 5" CD. It is also on the "Bing Crosby - Good and Rare Volume 3" CD. The alternate take is Take 3.

The Chronological Bing Crosby Volume 2 only has Take 2.