Customer Reviews

Greatest Gospel Songs

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When this BMG compilation album was first released in 2000 it wasn't done with the help of Como historian and expert George Townsend . . . unfortunately! At the time of release there was a fair amount of controversy concerning the title because, for the majority of Perry's long-time admirers, he has never been associated with "Gospel" music per se. Mahalia Jackson sang "Gospel" not Como. What Como does sing, and beautifully so, are the traditional "Songs of All Faiths" as exemplified by his early '50s album titled "I Believe" and actually sub-titled "Perry Como Sings Songs of All Faiths" released originally in 1953 and then again within an expanded LP in 1956. And, incredible as it may seem, Perry's original versions of "Ave Maria" and "The Lord's Prayer", recorded 'live' at the Church of Incarnation, New York City, September 30th, 1949, fifty-three years ago this month, produced by Charles Grean and assisted by Ray Charles ( of the Ray Charles Singers ), actually charted at Nos. 22 and 28 respectively! Como has been associated with these two hymns ever since, recording the two of them again in 1959 with the Male Voices of the Robert Shaw Chorale. And to demonstrate that he really could sing "songs of all faiths", Perry also recorded two Hebrew / Yiddish traditional songs which were included within the 1953 and 1956 compilations. The majority of these traditional hymns were recorded only in monaural excepting the 1959 versions of "Ave Maria" and "The Lord's Prayer" which were brilliantly recorded in full stereophonic sound but all too often re-released in either monaural or "electronically reprocessed" fake stereo! In 1958 Como recorded what would become one of the most beautiful albums of his long career, an album of inspirational songs ( not "gospel" ) titled "When You Come to the End of the Day" and an album which Como historian Townsend claims is a "MUST" in real stereo to be fully appreciated. Como was at the height of his career in 1958, just as the stereophonic high-fidelity era was beginning, and the maturity and smooth assurance of his delivery is very apparent within twelve beautiful performances supported by Mitchell Ayres' Orchestra and the masterfully conducted Ray Charles Singers some songs a capella. According to Townsend, these songs really do not mix well with the earlier hymns for reasons which are primarily technical. They should be appreciated within the context of their time and place with careful attention to both their artistic and technical integrity. This particular compilation inappropriately labeled "Greatest Gospel Songs" fails to respect these issues, representing a "grab-bag" approach rather than a well thought out artistic and technical sequencing of songs. Early versions of this CD also contained a number of errors which should now have been corrected: several of the original stereo tracks, including "The Lord's Prayer", were in monaural instead of real stereo; half of the hymn "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" was inadvertently missing ( it should include the St. Patrick's Cathedral Boy's Choir ); plus a number of technical glitches resulting from the use of poor masters. The version of "Ave Maria" used within this compilation was taken from Perry's 1968 "Christmas Album" ( with Nick Perito conducting ) whilst it should have been the 1959 Robert Shaw Chorale stereo track as a proper match, artistically and technically, with "The Lord's Prayer". These errors should be corrected within newer versions for which the label has apparently offered a free replacement to those who request it. That's the responsible thing to have done and exactly what you expect from a credible label such as Bertelsmann's BMG company. The corrected version is still a mixed bag but deserves a five-star rating for BMG's responsible handling of this issue! Hopefully, with Townsend's help, this sort of thing will never happen again!

There appear to be two different versions of this CD currently available which are causing confusion with reviewers. The first production run of this CD contained a number of errors the most serious of which was an abridged version of Perry's "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" where the hymn was cut off just prior to the St. Patrick's Cathedral Boy's Choir. The time given within the credits was correct but the actual track time was not. Other errors included monaural versions of stereo originals such as Perry's 1959 "The Lord's Prayer" and songs from his stereophonic album "When You Come to the End of the Day" released in 1958. Some reviewers claim that they have purchased copies within which these errors have since been corrected. If you have purchased the faulty version of this CD compilation it should be returned for exchange.

I am delighted to hear that BMG has finally corrected the errors within this CD! That's wonderful news. The original issue was missing almost half of one hymn "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" while several of the hymns were in monaural instead of real stereo as they should have been! Good for BMG! I'm sending my old copy in for replacement pronto. Fans should know,however, that all of the songs from Perry's album "When You Come to the End of the Day" have since been released within two different compilations, one from Collectables and the other from Buddha. The Buddha compilation included full stereophonic versions of ALL songs including his 1959 recordings "Ave Maria" and "The Lord's Prayer" for the first time in more than forty years. Nevertheless, BRAVO TO BMG! for correcting this CD!

This CD is one of many recorded by Mr. C. I listen today to the contemporary religious recordings....only for a few moments.
Perry Como's The Lords Prayer and other (gospel) recordings surpass any other male vocalists. His range...his style and his phrasing are perfect for all of his recordings. He chose them with great care. He sings them because he means every word of them. That makes a great difference. So many recorded songs only for the money. He recorded, of course, for the income. He did not record songs only for the money.

Anyone who can listen to this CD and find fault...should wake up and smell the coffee. What I hear of today's recordings....makes me want to return to my selected...and paid for CDs, albums, 78s...45s..tapes... How good it is to hear quality recordings on CD. The man lived a life such as no other performer of his day....and as no other living today.

Perry Como Quality. critics only know where to find some excuse to comment. Let them list ones they think are better.

Long awaited release of Como's religious material. Paul Williams company "House of Hits" always produce a quality sound from original masters. Once again he brings a freshness to tracks that have long been favourites. Most of these tracks have only appeared on scratchy vinyl or poor quality CD's. Here is true stereo or perfect mono. Thank you Mr. williams, keep 'em coming.

With the recent national tragedy and horrendous sense of loss that occurred on September 11, 2001, this CD has been so helpful in giving me the strength and courage to have faith in God, as well as in our nation. Even though Perry is gone his music beautifully speaks from the heavens. Perry sings from his heart with his smooth and silk baritone voice. I loved his versions of the "Lord's Prayer", "I Believe", "When you Come to the End of Day", "A Still Small Voice", and especially "Ave Maria", his tradmark song of Christmas...I highly recommend this CD and I thank Mr. Como for his comforting songs, especially in this time of sadness..

I bought this CD for my mother's birthday last week. What a joyous sound! Our family has been Perr Como fans for as long as I can remember, in fact when my dad dies in 1996, all I had to tell the organist was that we wanted the Perry Como version of Ave Maria played at the service and she knew what we meant(The Schubert,of course). We will be able to enjoy his wonderful voice even now that he is gone... the

This compilation collects 21 songs of "Faith & Inspiration" recorded by Perry Como.

Unfortunately, attention to detail was not at the top of the list of priorities on this release. Many songs that were recorded in STEREO are released here in MONO. The mastering is of a good standard, but that is meaningless without a good source to match.

There is at least one production error. The recording of "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" is abridged. Verse 2, which begins with vocals by the St. Patrick's Cathedral Boys Choir on the original record release is missing here; very likely because this was a partial take before the choir made their part of the recording. The actual recording included lasts 1:29; however, the accompanying CD booklet contradicts this, stating the time as being 2:43.

Also, Perry's 1968 RCA Victor Recording of "Ave Maria" is included; which was originally released within "The Perry Como Christmas Album" (from that same year). It would have been far more appropriate to include Perry's 1949 or 1959 recordings.

Giving this CD a title of "Greatest Gospel Songs" is certainly a misleading title. The closest Mr. Como got to the Gospel Genre in the RCA Victor Recording studios was "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"; included in this collection, but in MONO instead of STEREO. The recording originates from Perry's 2nd RCA Victor "Living Stereo" Album "When You Come To The End Of The Day".

The best advice would be to look for the 1 or 2 CD Release of "Perry Como Sings Songs Of Faith And Inspiration" - both releases represent excellent value for money as well as a very good standard of sources and mastering.

I actually bought this CD because of the beautiful old song "Good Night, Sweet Jesus," which I wanted to teach to my 3-year-old (he loves it). I haven't been able to find that song anywhere else! The only reason I give this album 4 stars instead of 5 is because I'm not crazy about a lot of the song choices. However, Perry Como's beautifully soothing voice makes up for it. And his version of "Ave Maria" makes it all worth it.

This CD is beautiful. Perry Como was one of the greatest entertainers and made singing look so easy and smooth. I highly recommend this CD - you won't be sorry.