Bing Crosby~1928~Louisiana w/Paul Whiteman Orch

Bing Crosby sings his rendition of Louisiana for Paul Whiteman. The music was recorded at Liederkranz Hall in NY April 23, 1928 and released as Victor label 21438 by the Victor Talking Machine Co. of Camden, New Jersey. The orchestra for this recording consisted of 23 musicians, all of whom are listed in the video, plus Bing and three vocal accompanists. Crosby started his association with Whiteman in December 1926 thanks to an intro by Mildred Bailey who was Whiteman's "big band" female vocalist (and Al Rinker's sister). Harry Barris, Al Rinker and Crosby teamed up to form the Rhythm Boys who were employed by Whiteman, but the Rhythm Boys, for some reason, do not perform the vocals on this side. Crosby was into heavy drinking, was becoming increasingly on the outs with Whiteman and quit soon after this recording was made to hire on with Gus Arnheim, so the Rhythm Boys may have already split.

The pictures in the vid are mine, taken on trips to New Orleans and St. Francisville, the beautiful former capital city of the country of West Florida which became a part of the US and now consists of the parishes of East and West Feliciana lying entirely in the state of Louisiana.