Crosby/Clooney-"Fancy Meeting You Here": Recommended?

I noticed this one on sale at Borders the other night (2001 reissue w/bonus tracks). I'm not familiar with the album, but the combination of Bing, Rosie, and Billy May sounds intriguing.

Is it worth picking up, and how does the reissue sound?

 

I was just talking about this LP and CD earlier tonight and I completely agree with everything you said. The song choices and arrangements are great but sonically but the LP and CD are lacking. Rosie's country album on RCA Victor, and mostly recorded in Nashville at RCA Studio B sounds amazing on my original Living Stereo LP. Wish someone would reissue it on a single CD without having to get the Bear Family box set to get it.

 

I have both the mono and stereo LPs, I've never heard any CD versions. The mono LP sounded good to me, I haven't heard either in years. I also have a reissue on RCA Camden that sounded better to me than the original stereo LP did. It's missing a few tracks though.

 

Have to share this killer episode 0f the Bing Crosby show from 65 years ago this week! Judy sings one of my favorite versions of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and Bing and Judy perform duets all over the place!

Bing Crosby Podcast 1948-10-06 Guest Judy Garland
http://jack_benny.podomatic.com/entry/2013-10-07T00_28_54-07_00

 

here is one that is a little more on topic! From 60 years ago this week!

Bing Crosby Show 1953-10-11 Guest Rosemary Clooney
https://www.dropbox.com/s/oemojb51vd688po/531011 42 Rosemary Clooney.mp3

 

They sang very well together - their voices and personalities complemented one another, and this album is a good example of that.

 

i didn't even know david and george sang together.

 

It's a fun album for sure. If you want to snag it on the cheap, it's included in one of the Rosemary Clooney EU '8 Classic Album' package, which I'm going to assume is probably a direct rip of the RCA/Bluebird CD.

Either way, it's a great listen.

The above 70's pressing is an oddity for sure. I'm wondering what brought that one out of the racks to get a repress. Maybe the Bing Crosby 50th anniversary celebration, perhaps? That was when Rosie began her legitimate comeback to statured artist.

 

1977 RCA USA re-issue I have, not a very good pressing at all (terrible) If I see a 50s original I'll get it>

sean

 

I have a NM 80s green label copy. It's been a while since I've listened to it, so I may pull it out and listen this weekend.

 

i LOVE this album: great singing, wonderful arrangements, and one of my favorite covers!!

 

Add me to this album's big fans. Love it! I have the 1977 vinyl reissue and the 2001 Bluebird CD. Agree that the CD is the better one out of these options.

Talking about CD versions, there are two or three others out there (Japanese mostly). Then there is this licensed twofer on Taragon Records (to which I have not listened):

Actually, his death. He passed away on October 17. By mid-November, word got out in the press that, due to "increased costumer interest following Crosby's death," RCA had "stepped up manufacturing orders" of this album:



Apparently in attempt to further cash in, while the body was still warm (well, more or less so), RCA also scheduled the reissue of Fancy Meeting You Here for December of 1977.

At the Capitol Tower. I do not know which studio, though. (The RCA album: at Radio Recorders, per the info on its back cover.) Both albums had the same producer (Simon Rady).

As much as I love Fancy Meeting You Here = as little as I like That Travelin' Two Beat. I find it hugely disappointing, alas.

 

Yep: one of Rosie Clooney's Bear Family boxes.

 

I think that the man on the piano is Bob Thompson?



If that's the case, then we could be looking at a photo from one of the sessions for this LP:



According to the discography in the Rosemary Clooney box, she and Bing recorded their numbers on July 23 and 24, 1959, at United. Thompson is listed as the leader on both dates; Buddy Cole is listed only on the first date.

Thanks for that. Did not know about the Bing & Satchmo situation; interesting.

If the choice is between what you are hearing and what the Bear Family discography says, I'm actually more inclined to trust your ears. Would be great if photos from the session turned up; I am not aware of any. Maybe some big Bing experts out there know more?

The discographical information on the Bear Family box does look authoritative. Full, extensive personnel is listed for these dates, along with Capitol session numbers and not just the days, but also the hours of each given day. Still, we can't discard the possibility of someone taking for granted that these sessions took place at the Tower, and filling a blank accordingly. Even if the Tower is actually mentioned in official Capitol documentation, the Bing & Satchmo example that you gave is a good indication of why we can never be entirely trusting ... So, being doubtful or skeptical is most certainly a healthy thing in this case!

 

The Wikipedia article on Travelin' Two Beat indicates that the vocals were indeed recorded separately (citing as reference a biography of Rosemary Clooney). Apparently, Crosby was recorded first and Clooney's vocals were recorded later. Unfortunately, the article doesn't indicate where the record was recorded.

That Travelin' Two-Beat - Wikipedia