Bing Crosby–Just One More Chance, 1931

It is Wednesday and time to follow up with our look at the music being sung by Bing Crosby. After singing with Gus Arnheim, Bing recorded for the Brunswick label, where he would continue to record for a number of years. One of the songs recorded in 1931 was “Just One More Chance.” Bing was being backed up by the Brunswick Studio Orchestra; it was re-recorded in 1939, and it can be found in a number of movies. We have a clip from one of those movies, and it is exciting to see Bing cut loose a bit and have some fun.

The meaning of fun to Bing Crosby can be translated into just one word–jazz. If we wanted to be more precise, we would use two words–the blues. When we start the clip, you will see Bing on the stage singing a full yard away from the huge microphone (that would have covered his face if he had sung behind it). The orchestra uses the same arrangement as the original Brunswick Orchestra; then as the gentlemen leave the table, Bing moves over to serenade his love interest. At 2:12, he starts to jazz up the song and by 2:45 he really hits his stride. What started out as a lovely ballad becomes a sizzling jazz invitation to love.