| Top o' the Morning / Emperor Waltz: Selections from the Paramount Pictures | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1950 | |||
| Recorded | 1947, 1949 | |||
| Genre | Popular | |||
| Length | 23:41 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Bing Crosby chronology | ||||
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Top o' the Morning / Emperor Waltz is a Decca Records studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby of songs from his movies Top o' the Morning and The Emperor Waltz , catalog number DL 5272.
Bing Crosby had recorded the songs from his film Top o' the Morning in May and June 1949 and these were released on two separate 78 records to tie in with the film’s premiere on August 31, 1949. Following the development of the vinyl LP record by Columbia Records in 1948, Decca issued a plethora of Crosby albums in that format. Many were simply reissues of earlier 78rpm albums but Top o' the Morning / Emperor Waltz appears to be the first 10" LP not to have been issued as a 78rpm album. As the four songs from Top o' the Morning only filled one side of the LP, Decca added the four songs from the successful Bing Crosby – The Emperor Waltz 78 rpm album to complete the record.
Billboard reviewed the songs from “Top o’ the Morning” when they were issued as singles, saying: [1]
Oh, ‘Tis Sweet to Think
Bing and the fem lead from “Top o’ the Morning” do an art song—lyrics by Thomas Moore—charmingly. Not for the masses.
The Donovans
More from the score—and as Irish as Barry Fitzgerald’s phiz. Special stuff—may appeal in the Gaelic nabes.
You’re in Love with Someone
A Burke-Van Heusen pop from “Top o’ the Morning” gets the tender treatment from Bing.
Top o’ the Morning
Irish and quaint as all get-out is the title tune, a small lesson in Gaelic a la Berlitz.
Recording dates follow song titles.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performed with | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You're in Love with Someone" (May 10, 1949) | Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke | Victor Young and His Orchestra, and the Jeff Alexander Chorus | 2:38 |
| 2. | "Top o' the Morning" (June 21, 1949) | Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke | Victor Young and His Orchestra, and the Jeff Alexander Chorus | 2:48 |
| 3. | "Oh, 'Tis Sweet to Think" (May 31, 1949) | Thomas Moore | Ann Blyth and Simon Rady and His Orchestra | 3:23 |
| 4. | "The Donovans" (June 21, 1949) | Alicia Adélaide Needham, Walter Kent, Francis Fahy | Victor Young and His Orchestra, and the Jeff Alexander Chorus | 3:00 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performed with | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Friendly Mountains" (March 17, 1947) | Johnny Burke | Victor Young and His Orchestra | 3:04 |
| 2. | "The Kiss in Your Eyes" (January 17, 1947) | Richard Heuberger, Johnny Burke | Victor Young and His Orchestra | 3:01 |
| 3. | "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame" (January 17, 1947) | Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young, Ralph Erwin | Victor Young and His Orchestra | 3:09 |
| 4. | "Emperor Waltz" (March 17, 1947) | Johann Strauss, Johnny Burke | Victor Young and His Orchestra | 2:38 |
Song Hits from Holiday Inn is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire released in July 1942 featuring songs presented in the American musical film Holiday Inn. These are the longer studio recorded versions of the songs presented in the film. For the songs that were actually in the film, see Holiday Inn (soundtrack). This album is not only notable because it is one of the greatest works of the highly regarded songwriter Irving Berlin, but it is only Crosby's third studio album. This was also the first release of Crosby's signature song "White Christmas" on shellac disc record. The 1942 version would be released only one more time, in 1945's compilation album, Merry Christmas, before the song was re-recorded in 1947. The later version became the standard.
Selections from Going My Way is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in late 1945 featuring songs that were presented in the American musical comedy-drama film Going My Way. This was the first release of one of Crosby's best songs throughout his career, "Swinging on a Star", on shellac disc record.
Auld Lang Syne is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1948 featuring songs that were sung by Crosby and also by Fred Waring and his Glee Club. The songs were later presented in 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm sets, respectively. This set featured many of Bing's great hits such as: Silver Threads Among the Gold and Now Is the Hour.
Blue Skies is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire released in 1946 featuring songs that were presented in the American musical film Blue Skies. Like Song Hits from Holiday Inn, the entire 78 rpm album would be composed of Irving Berlin songs written specifically for the film. This was the first release of one of Astaire's greatest songs, "Puttin' On the Ritz", on shellac disc record.
St. Patrick's Day is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1947 featuring songs with an Irish theme. This includes one of Crosby's most-beloved songs, "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral" which was number four on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks, and topped the Australian charts for an entire month, on shellac disc record. This version, the 1945 re-recording, was released earlier in another Crosby album, Selections from Going My Way.
Favorite Hawaiian Songs, Volume One is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1946 featuring songs that were sung in a Hawaiian-type genre. This was the fourth Hawaiian-themed album release for Crosby.
Favorite Hawaiian Songs, Volume Two is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1946 featuring songs that were sung in a Hawaiian-type genre. This was the fifth Hawaiian-themed album release for Crosby.
Don't Fence Me In is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters released in 1946 featuring Country and Western songs. This album contained the enormously popular record "Pistol Packin' Mama", which sold over a million copies and became the first number one hit on the then-new Juke Box Folk Song Records Chart that was later renamed the Hot Country Songs Chart.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby and other stars of the Paramount movie A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court featuring songs from the film. All of the songs were written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke.
Selections from The Bells of St. Mary's is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1946 featuring songs that were presented in the American musical comedy-drama film The Bells of St. Mary's.
The Happy Prince is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby and Orson Welles of the Oscar Wilde short story The Happy Prince.
Stephen Foster is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby of songs by Stephen Foster released in 1946.
The Emperor Waltz is an album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby of songs featured in his film The Emperor Waltz.
St. Valentine's Day is a 1948 Decca Records compilation album of recordings by Bing Crosby.
Bing Crosby Sings with Lionel Hampton, Eddie Heywood, Louis Jordan is a Decca Records compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby, Lionel Hampton, Eddie Heywood and Louis Jordan.
Christmas Greetings is a studio album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1949 featuring popular Christmas songs.
Songs from Mr. Music is a Decca Records studio 78rpm album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters and Dorothy Kirsten of songs from the film Mr. Music.
Bing Crosby Sings the Song Hits from Broadway Shows is a Decca Records compilation 78rpm album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby featuring some of the hits from Broadway musicals.
Bing Crosby Sings Cole Porter Songs is a Decca Records studio 78rpm album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby featuring the songs of Cole Porter.
Way Back Home is a Decca Records compilation 78rpm album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby featuring sentimental and homely songs.
