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When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: A Collection of Old and New Songs of Erin
Compilation album by
Bing Crosby
Released1952
Recorded1947-1951
Genre Popular
Length23:21
Label Decca
Bing Crosby chronology
Bing and Connee
(w/ Connie Boswell)
(1952) 		When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: A Collection of Old and New Songs of Erin
(1952) 		Themes and Songs from The Quiet Man
(w/ Victor Young)
(1952)

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

Recording dates follow song titles.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Performed withLength
1." When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" (May 7, 1946) Chauncey Olcott, George Graff, Jr., Ernest Ball John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra2:52
2." The Rose of Tralee" (July 17, 1945)Edward Mordaunt Spencer, Charles William GloverJohn Scott Trotter and His Orchestra3:10
3."My Girl's an Irish Girl" (November 13, 1947)Jack Popplewell Victor Young and His Orchestra2:59
4." Galway Bay" (November 27, 1947) Arthur ColahanVictor Young and His Orchestra2:56
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Performed withLength
1."How Can You Buy Killarney?" (November 6, 1949)Joseph Hamilton Kennedy, Fred Grundland, Ted Steels, Gerald MorrisonVictor Young and His Orchestra3:02
2."Eileen" (November 6, 1949) Max Liebman, Sylvia FineVictor Young and His Orchestra3:47
3."With My Shillelagh Under My Arm" (February 1, 1951) Raymond Wallace, Billy O'Brien Matty Matlock and His Orchestra2:26
4."St. Patrick’s Day Parade" (February 1, 1951) Johnny Lange, Hy HeathMatty Matlock and His Orchestra2:09

[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 "A Bing Crosby Discography". A Bing Crosby Discography. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  5. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. March 24, 1951.
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