A Christmas Show

Also available as part of the 5-CD collection WWII RADIO: BING CROSBY RADIO BROADCASTS (Laserlight 15 934).

Digitally mastered by Robert Vosgien (CMS Digital, Pasadena, California).

Though radio transcripts usually don't necessarily make the best listening experiences, these are relatively pristine. As befits Crosby's role as all-around entertainer, the 15 tracks here run the gamut, with much of the variety provided by various guest entertainers. The Kraft Choral Group weighs in with "Beautiful Savior" and "God Is Ever Beside Me" (followed by a reminder that "Kraft cheese spreads, available in seven flavors, make great last-minute holiday hors d'oeuvres"). The Charioteers offer the timely patriotic jive of "A Slip of the Lip Can Sink a Ship," as well as the Nat Cole signature tune, "Straighten Up and Fly Right." Crosby himself provides plenty of the Christmas material, sending out "Silent Night" to the troops in the European theater ("I've talked and lived and chowed with these boys"). The second show wraps up with a medley of tunes from 1942's movie musical HOLIDAY INN, the picture that yielded Crosby's signature tune, "White Christmas," which is of course included as well.