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When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (album)

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When Irish Eyes Are Smiling is a Decca Records album by Bing Crosby of songs with an Irish theme. It was issued as a 10” LP as catalog No.DL 5403.[1] Some of the songs had earlier been issued as a 3-disc 45rpm set (9-89).[2]

A later 12” LP version with the same title was issued in 1956 as DL8262 with a different selection of songs.[3]

Background

The maternal side of Crosby’s family had come from Ireland in the 19th century and he had grown up hearing traditional Irish songs. The first Irish song he recorded was “Did Your Mother Come from Ireland?” in 1940[4] and from then on, songs related to the Emerald Isle were a regular part of his catalog. The success of an earlier Crosby album of Irish songs encouraged Decca to put together another album of similarly themed tracks. This included two new songs which were reviewed by Billboard[5] as follows:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Bing, in high spirits, turns on his winning Irish brogue for a sparkling etching of a new St Patty’s ditty of superior quality. Add another solid standard item to the lengthy Crosby list.
With My Shillelagh Under My Arm - Performance-wise, the same level of spirit and vigor is accomplished here but the song isn’t quite as strong as topside’s.

Track listing for 10" LP

Side 1

  1. "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", recorded May 7, 1946 with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra. [4]
  2. "The Rose of Tralee", recorded July 17, 1945 with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra. [4]
  3. "My Girl's An Irish Girl", (Jack Popplewell ) recorded November 13, 1947 with Victor Young and His Orchestra. [4]
  4. “Galway Bay”, recorded November 27, 1947 with Victor Young and His Orchestra. [4]

Side 2

  1. "How Can You Buy Killarney?” (Joseph Hamilton Kennedy / Fred Grundland / Ted Steels / Gerald Morrison) recorded November 6, 1949 with Victor Young and His Orchestra. [4]
  2. “Eileen”, (Max Liebman / Sylvia Fine) recorded November 6, 1949 with Victor Young and His Orchestra. [4]
  3. “With My Shillelagh under My Arm”, (Raymond Wallace / Billy O'Brien) recorded February 1, 1951 with Matty Matlock and His Orchestra. [4]
  4. “St. Patrick’s Day Parade”, (Johnny Lange / Hy Heath) recorded February 1, 1951 with Matty Matlock and His Orchestra. [4]

References

  1. ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  2. ^ "45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  3. ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "A Bing Crosby Discography". A Bing Crosby Discography. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  5. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. March 24, 1951. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
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