Customer Reviews

Perry Como: Greatest Christmas Songs

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This compact disc is worth every penny and more despite the fact that it's claim of being Perry's "Greatest Christmas Songs" is hardly credible! The only flaw with this set is what it might have been had BMG tried to create a definitive collection of Perry's "Merry Christmas Music". It should have been a 2 or 3 CD box set. The remastering and "remixing" is well done and with unusual sensitivity by someone named Mike Hartry who "remixed" several tracks. This set almost completes Perry's popular 1968 "Christmas Album" and this will frustrate fans who would have liked to have the "whole" album. The songs from Perry's "Merry Christmas Music" compilation and his 1959 "Season's Greetings" are not as rare as these people seem to think but Perry's delightful rendition of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" certainly is, as are the two singles from 1967 and the unreleased song from 1968, and even Perry's 1954 single version of "Home For the Holidays" ( which BMG fails to mention, by the way, for those who might have expected the 1959 popular stereo version ). The definitive collection of Perry Como Christmas Songs is still beyond our grasp but this CD is a first step.

I was born in 1953 and grew up listening to Perry Como as a kid. I've loved every type of music from hard rock to classical, but I am in love with Christmas music. Perry Como always had a great show, and to the young people of today, it was a time when the entire family would sit to enjoy not just musical talent, but a theme. A theme of family unity. I recently saw Mr. C. (his nickname) perform a Christmas concert in Ireland in 1993. Although his hearing is going, his voice is still smooth as silk. Singers of his ilk and breed are fast leaving. Since Sinatra died, it's very important to hold on to performers like Perry Como. Is he a square? I'd say that by today's standards...he is. But, in a timeless way, he is a standard of what Christmas music should be. His music was performed with a choir with a fire in the fireplace, a Christmas tree and all the trimmings. If I could get in my time machine and return to 1959 to hear one of the top Christmas balladeers from all time...I'd be ecstatic! Enjoy!!

As good as this compilation is, it's clear that BMG didn't do their homework. The author seems to think that Perry's 1953 ( included here ) version of Mel Torme's "Christmas Song" is rare but, in fact, it's not! What's rare is Perry's 1946 version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" recorded with The Satisfiers ( not included here ) which was cut from the "Merry Christmas Music" compilation in 1961 when the RCA Victor album was down-graded to RCA Camden. Rarer still, is Perry's 1946 version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" which was cut in 1947 to make room for "White Christmas" recorded that year ( not included here ) and also not included is the 1946 version of "Winter Wonderland" which was a million seller for Perry and The Satisfiers! The author speaks about The Satisfiers working with Perry on his early television shows but, in fact, that was The Fontane Sisters who were popular regulars on his show and common performers on his records. The Fontane Sisters recorded "It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas" with Perry and made it a popular hit. Unfortunately, BMG appears to have missed "A Lot" both for their printing of the song title, the mirror image of Perry on the cover, and the selection content of this album. But, it's a great album inspite of them, and hopefully it's the first installment of the box set!

This CD from BMG collects 21 Perry Como Christmas recordings. The title "Greatest Christmas Songs" is subject to debate, especially since several of the tracks are somewhat rare and one ("Some Children See Him", recorded in 1968) was originally unreleased. This sort of issue is subject to interpretation of an Artist's "Greatest" in terms of popularity, performance or a combination of both; not forgetting the fact that Beauty is within the eyes of the beholder.

This compilation is sourced from Release Master Tapes which have been re-mastered to a very good standard. Two tracks have been re-mixed: "Love Is A Christmas Rose" and "Christmas Bells". Both songs were originally recorded in 1967 and released together as a 45 rpm MONO single. Both songs appear for the first time on CD in STEREO and alternate takes have been used. "Love Is A Christmas Rose" was released in STEREO within the 1983 Reader's Digest Compilation LP: "Christmas With Perry Como"; but both songs make their first appearance on CD within the "Greatest Christmas Songs" collection. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" also makes a rare CD appearance.

This CD represents very good value for money and is an ideal pairing with "A Perry Como Christmas"; released in 2001.

Perry Como's calm, steady and laid back approach to singing meshes well with the Christmas genre. He effortlessly conveys the spirit of the holidays and infuses all of his songs with a gentle, yet beautiful, manner. Perry Como is seriously under-appreciated today and that's a shame, because he used his voice simply and effectively for sixty years. If you have a stressful job and need to relax when you come home, Perry Como will help you and this album is perfect for daydreaming and relaxing.

Como's version of "Ave Maria" here is superior to his attempt in the 1950's. His voice has deepened slightly here and he uses is with telling effect. But the outstanding song is undoubtedly "Silver Bells," where Perry puts his own nuance on the vocal.

The sound quality on this disc is excellent. Recommended!

Whether there are certain songs missing or not; this is the perfect collection of Perry Como Christmas music. Since we've lost Perry back in May; you can be sure all Como fans will definitely be thinking of him this holiday season & make it a point to put his beautiful music on the stereo or in the car's cd-player. Christmas won't be the same knowing Perry Como is no longer on this planet; but we all owe him a debt of gratitude for many years of bringing such joy to all of his fans via his music & television shows & holiday specials. Very highly recommended.

Other reviewers are correct: this is a very good compilation. However, we still need the all of the songs from the 1968 Christmas Album re-released on CD (preferably together). Maybe next year?

To those of you looking for the C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S song, Amazon has on order a CD titled "Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Songs." It won't be available until after Christmas, but since everyone here is so excited about it, I decided to get a copy of it myself. Thanks!

Finally-a compilation of the best of Perry's Christmas music! This collection even includes a few rare releases such as I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus & Love Is A Christmas Rose, plus his best & most beautiful hymn, Ave Maria. If you only need one Christmas album by Perry Como(and what would Christmas be without Perry anyway), THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE ONE TO GET! Highly recommended!

Great christmas songs, great singning and very enlightening editorial notes about Perry Como's christmas recordings. Many thanks to BMG's people associated with this new release. A must for fans of mr. Como or of christmas music.