Seasons: The Closing Chapter

by Bing Crosby

Overview

It was appropriate for Bing Crosby to make a record of reflective material in late 1977. Earlier in the year, he had celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with a special taped for CBS, then undergone an extended stay in the hospital after falling off a stage at the same show. And, ironically, these September sessions in London also proved to be his last -- he collapsed on a golf course just one month later. Crosby had recorded several albums in England during his late-career renaissance of the mid-'70s. Arranged as usual by Ken Barnes, Bing relaxes over a conceptual set of seasonal songs, including mostly age-old standards ("June in January," "In the Good Old Summertime") as well as a new one, "Seasons," a French song by Gilbert Becaud given English lyrics especially for Bing. The arrangements and production are typical of the period, given a high gloss anchored by electric bass but otherwise incorporating all the hallmarks of vocal pop from the previous three or four decades. Bing's voice is hardy and strong for a 74-year old, but it's clear he doesn't possess the same strength and gravitas of even his recordings of the '60s. For every late-period gem like "Summer Wind," there's a "June Is Bustin' Out All Over," which is anchored by a saccharine studio vocal group similar to the Singers Unlimited. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	02/02/2024
Label:	Classics
UPC:	0097037049669
Rank:	158500

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bing Crosby   Primary Artist
The Pete Moore Orchestra   Primary Artist
Pete Moore   Musical Director,Musical Direction
The Johnny Evans Singers   Vocals (Background)
Gordon Rose   Conductor

Technical Credits

Bud Green   Composer
Buddy DeSylva   Composer
George Evans   Composer,Composer
Gilbert Becaud   Composer
Dana Suesse   Composer
Kurt Weill   Composer
Harry Ruby   Composer
Bert Kalmar   Composer
Steve Taylor   Engineer,Engineer
Leroy Anderson   Composer
Ken Barnes   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Charles Aznavour   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
James Ritz   Liner Notes
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Leo Robin   Composer
Hans Bradtke   Composer
Gordon Anderson   Executive Producer
Herman Hupfeld   Composer
William Wordsworth   Composer,Composer
Maxwell Anderson   Composer
Ren Shields   Composer
Chris Harding   Production Assistant
Rudyard Kipling   Composer
Jo Mirowski   Cover Design,Art Direction
Pete Moore   Composer,Arranger,Composer
Kathryn Crosby   Executive Producer
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   Composer
Alan Cohen   Arranger
Michael Edwards   Composer
Sid Margo   Orchestra Contractor
Henry Mayer   Composer
Mark Brodka   Reissue Producer
Judy Schmid   Production Assistant
Bill Smith   Cover Design
Andrew Clark   Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Robert S. Bader   Reissue Producer
Martin McQuade   Production Assistant
Kenneth Welch   Composer
Marilyn Welch   Composer
Tim Young   Mastering
Dana Suisse   Composer
Frank Loesser   Composer
Irving Kahal   Composer
Bill Putnam   Engineer
Billy Rose   Composer
Vernon Duke   Composer
Marvin Hamlisch   Composer
Lyn Duddy   Composer
Louis Silvers   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Jerry Barnes   Engineer
Jerry Bresler   Composer
Tim Rice   Composer
Ralph Rainger   Composer
Gered Mankowitz   Cover Photo
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Herbert Kretzmer   Composer