Como Swings / For the Young at Heart

Perry Como | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B00005B519
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,438 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. St. Louis Blues

2. I've Got You Under My Skin

3. Route 66

4. Dear Hearts and Gentle People

5. Mood Indigo

6. Donkey Serenade

7. To Know You (Is to Love You)

8. You Came a Long Way from St. Louis

9. Honey, Honey (Bless Your Heart)

10. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella (On a Rainy Day)

11. Linda

12. Begin the Beguine

13. When You and I Were Young, Maggie

14. Young at Heart

15. I Was Young and Foolish

16. Too Young

17. You Make Me Feel So Young

18. Like Young

19. Hello, Young Lovers

20. Especially for the Young

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

These songs have all been remastered from premium quality sources with the exception of four tracks within the album "For the Young at Heart" which were remastered from a good quality stereo vinyl source. All other tracks within that album were remastered from first generation original masters.

Product Description

Two of Perry's popular "swing" albums, albeit very different one from the other, "Como Swings" and "For the Young at Heart" were recorded back to back at RCA's Webster Hall, New York City, the first in 1959 and the other in 1960, representing two different views of a swinging Como. "Como Swings" was produced by Charles Grean and Lee Schapiro whereas "For the Young at Heart" was the first of five albums produced for Perry by the legendary team of Hugo and Luigi. Both albums are charming and show Perry Como in a very different light from his traditional low-key persona. A highlight of "Como Swings" is a non-credited duet with Como's choral director Ray Charles within the song "To Know You (Is To Love You)".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Versatile, June 17, 2001

By 

N. Lacey (Renton, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Como Swings / For the Young at Heart (Audio CD)

This shows the versatility this man had. One usually thinks of him as a crooner of love songs, but there seemed to be nothing the man couldn't sing and sing beautifully. He will always be a star and this shows it. N. Lacey

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella"..., January 24, 2006

By 

Matthew Long (West Midlands, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Como Swings / For the Young at Heart (Audio CD)

Another CD from the original run of Perry Como releases from Collectables in 2001. This CD is a pairing of 2 more of Perry's RCA Victor Albums: "Como Swings" [1959] and "For The Young At Heart" [1960].

The sources of this CD are somewhat mixed. There is use of 1st Generation Masters, Release Masters and Vinyl Records. "Como Swings" is completely sourced from Release Masters. "For The Young At Heart" on the other hand is sourced mainly from 1st Generation Masters (with no proper re-mixing) and Vinyl Records. The reason behind the mixed sources on the latter album is that the Release Masters could not be located at the time and neither could all of the 1st Generation Masters; so a Stereo copy of the LP was used where originals could not be located. They certainly do exist, but locating takes time and money in itself - Collectables were already stretching to the maximum of their budget. So, competent engineering and detailed Masters searches were out of the question.

What many failed to understand is that these 2001 Collectables CD releases of Perry Como, represented the best ever attempt made by this budget label. The sources were mainly Original Release Master Tapes. It is unfortunate that the tapes used were worn; but this is not a big concern because the 1st Generation Masters are fully intact in the vaults. It is these original masters which need to be digitally re-mixed and re-mastered. It is the fact that so many complained about the 2001 releases that clearly made Collectables go back to their old ways - using multi generational sources. We as consumers will determine the standard. If we happily except poor quality products without question or complaint, companies will continue to produce such releases. Collectables have little incentive to do better because their main market supports mediocrity, are unaware of sources or simply don't care.

This particular CD release has the most varied sources. This is unfortunate, but is to be expected from budget labels. It is a far more serious credibility issue when the original labels themself employ such sources and mastering.

The bottom line: we must get back to the 1st Generation Masters and have them properly re-mixed and re-mastered by competent engineers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine by me, May 29, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Como Swings / For the Young at Heart (Audio CD)

I just listened to this album today, and found the sound and songs OK for my ears. The instruments on the "swinging" portion are strong, but I feel that was the intent, and I do not feel Perry's voice is drowned out. One major reason I got the album was I wanted to hear how Perry handled 50s hits like "Too Young" and "Young Love"--very well in my book! (Though the thought that Tab Hunter and Perry both recorded "Young Love" does cause a little whiplash.) By the way, "Young Love" was one of the four songs not taken from master tapes, but I could discern very little degradation of quality on this or the other ones. A good album for Como lovers.