Vintage RARE 1940s Bing Crosby 1947 TEST PRESS #3 "But Beautiful" 78rpm Record

$

150

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For your consideration and approval:

A RARE Find from the original Arranger Alvin Holmes' California Home Estate!!

Bing Crosby

Single Sided Pressing 78rpm Shellac Record of "But Beautiful (1947)"

#3 of (possibly) 3 (which is relatively standard for old test pressings)

As made famous in the December 5th 1947 film "Road to Rio" Starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, & Dorothy Lamour

Arranged by Alvin Holmes & Presented to Sharon Atkins the head of Associate Recording Studios (ARS generally worked on scores for films and the like.)

Bing Crosby introduced “But Beautiful” in the fifth “Road” film that He made with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Road to Rio outgrossed every other film in 1948 and also introduced “You Don’t Have to Know the Language” and “Experience.” It was eventually scored by composer Jimmy Van Heusen and lyricist Johnny Burke, who collaborated for over a dozen years and produced dozens of hits and award-winning songs.

"But Beautiful” charted four times, all performances by vocalists:

-Frank Sinatra (1948, four weeks, topping at #14)

-Bing Crosby (1948, with the Victor Young Orchestra, three weeks, topping at #20)

-Margaret Whiting (1948, with the Frank DeVol Orchestra, two weeks, topping at #21)

-Art Lund (1948, with the Johnny Thompson Orchestra, one week, topping at #25)

“But Beautiful” has been a favorite of pop and jazz vocalists for generations and continues to be tapped by contemporary singers Dena DeRose, Wesla Whitfield, Bobbe Norris, and Tiziana Ghiglioni. Pianists Chick Corea and Kenny Drew, Jr. as well as guitarists Mimi Fox and Ron Eschete have recorded the song. Vocalist Jimmy Scott and saxophonist Stan Getz with the Bill Evans Trio entitled albums "But Beautiful."

We all know who Bing was, so who was Alvin?

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-07-29-mn-19647-story.html?_amp=true

https://www.discogs.com/artist/36864-Leroy-Holmes

http://webcat.georgian.edu/title/holmes-alvin-leroy-composer-author-arranger/oclc/516233877

Vinyl is VG

Despite there still being lots of Fidelity quality by way of listening, it's rather noisy overall and as a hardcore collector and Hi-Fi nerd, despite being lenient when it comes to older records, I'd give it this grading by many audio listeners more Modern Standards of Fidelity.   Intermediate-Heavy signs of ware and use.  However, it still manages to whisk you away with Bing's Sing-Songy nature, the whimsical orchestral band accompaniment, and that good old sound of that old time shellac (which mind you, is to be expected of most VERY old records)!

I use a First Gen. Ortofon 2m 78 Mono Cartridge and found that turning on any "Hi Filter" via your amplifier will ail some of its noise coming through and sounds as if you're playing it on an old Art Deco player of sorts. Certainly sets a "mood!"

Sleeve is NM-/VG++

Likely not the original, or could possible be, its housing when found is in excellent overall condition.

All records are cleaned using the Degritter Sonic Cleaner prior to Audio Testing & Sale and are also given NEW, STRAIGHT FROM THE PACKAGE, 3Mil Archival Outters and Rice Paper Inners!

ASSURING MY BUYERS WITH ABSOLUTE CARE & CONFIDENCE OF HI-FI WARES!

**NOTE(S):

As a collector, I try to provide as much information and a description of each record’s condition as possible.  Unless a sound sample is posted (always of the record you are bidding on), records are graded visually & sonically.  My grading system is as follows:

Goldmine Graded:

NM / VG++ / VG+ / VG / VG- / G+ / G / Poor

Shipping:

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45's & 7" Records - Up to 3 can be sent for FREE within the U.S.!

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