Perry Como - The Very Best of Perry Como

Definitive collection from the late crooner, arguably the most popular singer of the early 1950s before his trademark style was eclipsed by rock 'n' roll. This album features many of the classics for which he is best known such as 'Magic Moments', 'The Very Thought Of You', 'Moon River', 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes', 'I've Got You Under My Skin' and 'Papa Loves Mambo' from the Nike TV commercial that is appearing through Europe. BMG. 2004. Album Description

Perry Como - A Supreme Singer! But, why don't BMG explore more into his legacy??????????

Perry Como is without a doubt one of the best singers of the 20th century - there's no question about it.

I find it very frustrating that Frank Sinatra seems to get a lot of the publicity and credit when he wasn't really a nice man and he is most certainly very overrated. It is time Perry again got the credit he so richly deserves. DO NOT go for the 'Greatest Hits' and 'Very Best of' - CD's. All of these CD's do is highlight some of the biggest sellers. In Perry's case, many of his hugest hits were Novelty Songs. Perry was much more than these novelty songs and people must be aware of this. Start looking out for the original RCA Victor Albums and I know you will definitely change your mind. The Novelty songs are made classy by Mr. C - but with such an amazing legacy of music Mr. C produced, you can't only include novelty songs - his artistry goes far beyond this!

Perry was the guy next door. Perry was the sort of guy you could imagine being friends with - THE NICEST GUY IN SHOWBUSINESS! That was the difference between the two of them. While Sinatra was always generating scandals. Perry wasn't. Sure, everyone wanted to know about the Como's, but there were no scandals - they were just a normal everyday Family. This makes Perry all the more special as he avoided the teptations of no doubt - millions of Female Fans, who he could have easily just given into. Perry was loyal to his Wife for 65 years. 2 things you seldom see in this day and age - Loyalty for one and 65 years of marriage for another!

To set the Record straight - Sinatra IS NOT better than Como! Nowadays, the majority of vocalists of all kinds sound pretty much the same, with of course the odd exception. Back many years ago when Music really was Music, it was a completely different story (not in all cases, but certainly in many) - every singer was their own. They all had their own completely different and distinctive styles. It would be a crime to really illustrate who was the 'Best' - as they are all great singers in their own way. As far as I am concerned Perry Como is the greatest singer ever!

When you think of great vocalists like Como, Crosby, Martin and Sinatra - 'It's impossbile', pardon the pun to select the best or the greatest. We all have our own opinions in our hearts which we stand by. But! For the sake of history, it is important that they all get credit, where credit is due. Giving Sinatra all the credit and pumping out all these CD's and DVD's out into the market isn't helping matters - as they aren't really doing much with other artists material. It's a great idea doing this with artists legacies - so, if they are doing if for Sinatra and the other Guys - start doing it for Como too!!!!!!!!!!

He is just as worthy - infact more considering his honest personality, superb vocal qualities, amazing achievements and so much more!

I was glad to get that off my chest. Let's all work together and 'Bring back Perry'!

This CD is a great and Essential CD for All Como Fanatics, but this CD doesn't really show case Perry's talent. It is basically a load of his novelty songs. There are some superb highlights in this collection as far as Como's true artistry is concerned such as: 'The very thought of you', '(I left my Heart) In San Francisco' and 'The Shadow of your Smile'. These are all superb songs, but aren't displayed in the right context. this CD has basically been thrown together and a few gems have been included.

The sound quality and mastering is obviously just from Vinyl Albums, not the original 1st Generation Master Tapes! The majority of the song aren't in the correct sound representation - for example 'The Shadow of your Smile', which was recorded by Perry in 1966 is in Mono, when all of Perry's albums were recorded in Stereo from 1958 onwards!

This a really messy collection, with any gems and superb covers of some 70's hits all included in the wrong context.

To get a real idea of the true artistry of Perry Como singing the standards, ballads, etc - I certainly suggest getting some of his full original RCA Victor Albums.

It is CD's like this that aren't helping the Como legacy!

No doubt, this CD is essential to Como fanatics who collect anything and everything to do with and of Perry Como (such as myself!), but for new Como fans, this is a bad portrayal and introduction to what a superb and versatile singer and personality Perry Como really was!

Every song is superbly performed by Mr. Como - as always, but this collection makes it look as if Perry was a novelty singer who did the occassional standard, ballad, etc - this is obviously incorrect!

For those of you new to the Como Magic, don't go for 'The very Best of' and 'Greatest Hits' collections - go for 'Yesterday & Today - A celebration in Song', 'The Essential Perry Como ~ Volume 1', 'The Essential Perry Como Volume 1' and/or 'The Definitive Perry Como Collection' - all these box-sets and double CD's give a great insight into one of the finest legacies in Music - that of Perry Como! There is tons more than
any of the recordings covered in these sets - but these are certainly a superb introduction. 'The Essential Perry Como' box sets CD's can also be purchased as individual and double '2 on 1' CD's. All are available on Amazon.

Despite this incorrect portrayal of a true legend - Perry Como! This CD is still Superb Listening!

Matthew Long
(An enormous Perry Como fan of a much younger generation!) August 12, 2006

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