Selections from Welcome Stranger explained

Selections from Welcome Stranger
Type:studio
Artist:Bing Crosby
Cover:Selections_from_Welcome_Stranger_(album_cover).jpg
Released:Original 78 album: 1947
Recorded:November 1946
Genre:Popular
Label:Decca
Chronology:Bing Crosby
Prev Title:Cowboy Songs,
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Prev Year:1947
Next Title:Our Common Heritage
Next Year:1947

Selections from Welcome Stranger is an album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby of songs featured in his film Welcome Stranger. All of the songs were written by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Johnny Burke (lyrics).

Reception

Billboard magazine said Crosby "emphasises the hit quality of the score's ballad song, "As Long As I'm Dreaming". Other songs have only production value, Crosby singing it in easy and rhythmic style for "Smile Right Back at the Sun" and "My Heart Is a Hobo". And with the Calico Kids on the chant, Crosby is also the caller for the country style square dance ditty."[1]

Down Beat was positive:

Better sides than Bing has made in a long while. Sounds if he actually felt like singing. In 'Style' it's mostly his engaging half-singing manner that sneaks him through the by now apparent faults in his upper tones - and it's a square dance too.[2]

Track listing

These songs were featured on a 2-disc, 78 rpm album set, Decca Album No. A-531.

Side / Title Recording date Performed with Time
Disc 1 (23848):
A. "As Long As I'm Dreaming" November 14, 1946John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra 3:07
B. "Smile Right Back at the Sun" November 14, 1946 John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra 2:41
Disc 2 (23849):
A. "Country Style (Square Dance)" November 19, 1946 The Calico Kids and John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra 3:13
B. "My Heart Is a Hobo" November 19, 1946 John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra 2:35

Notes and References

  1. Album Reviews. May 24, 1947. Billboard. 114. 59. 20. October 25, 2020.
  2. Down Beat. Down Beat. June 4, 1947.