The eight-song, 10" LP
Some Fine Old Chestnuts, released in 1953, was one of
Bing Crosby's first albums to be recorded as such, consisting entirely of previously unreleased material. That said, it is also true that the recordings were not made specifically to create an album for Decca Records. Rather,
Crosby had prerecorded the songs for use on his weekly radio program and then offered them to Decca for release on disc. The selections included pop standards like "Dinah" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," which
Crosby sang over only a piano trio accompaniment. The circumstances surrounding the appearance of the LP reflect the reduced significance of recording to the singer; as he aged into his fifties, he cut back somewhat on his professional activities, notably recording. (Meanwhile, radio went into fast decline, and he did not jump into television in any big way.) Nevertheless, the actual performances are comfortable and confident, as the singer takes a slightly jazzy approach to the familiar material. ~ William Ruhlmann