Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic Como album from the mid-1960's, August 22, 2007
This album, good as it is, pales beside Perry's other album from the same time period -- "Lightly Latin". Yet, there are some wonderful gems in this collection. "Sovenir d'Italie", "Traveling Down A Lonely Road", "Forget Domani" (far truer to the nature of the song than Sinatra's version), "One Day Is Like Another", and "Dreams & Memories" are all truly done beautifully with a Como voice that was in relatively fine range with understated arrangements. And, I cannot imagine a rendition of "Santa Lucia" more perfect than this. The sound quality is really quite good. Good enough, in fact, to hear extraneous noise from the recording session...so that is good (ironically). The strings are just a tad harsh and lack perfect clarity if you listen with headphones, but I always found that true with Victor's Dynagroove-era recordings. The hiss from the tape masters of that era is noticeable, but you soon forget about it when you are seduced by the beauty of Perry's voice and the pleasant arrangements. The price is steep, but fair for this Japanese group that released this. I didn't mind a bit. Please...more...and I understand the "Lightly Latin" album is soon to come. And yes, this really was recorded in Italy. The Italian sung by the chorus is authentic...and Perry didn't do too badly, either. Thanks for the release!
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Souvenir D`Italie , August 21, 2008
Perry Como went on a holiday to Italy, and look what he brought back!
We are very grateful to the Sinatra Society of Japan for releasing this album (along with The Scene Changes and Lightly Latin). RCA/BMG has not done a good job with Perry's catalogue and seems steadfast in its refusal to release any Perry Como material that has not been released a thousand times before. This exquisite import album is a rare treat, and shows that Perry seems to get more respect in Japan than in either his adopted or ancestral homelands (North America and Europe, respectively).
It is hard to review faultless albums like this; there are not enough superlatives one could use to describe it, and I could blather on at length. The song selection is perfect, pairing well known standards ("Arrivederci Roma," and "Santa Lucia") with lesser known numbers ("Un giorno dopo l'altro" and "Forget Domani"). Perry, (who never sings badly), is at his best in this album, using his luscious voice to coax and caress every ounce of emotion and pathos from the lyric, all while switching between Italian and English. The vocal inflections (mordents, I believe they are called) on "Un giorno dopo l'altro" must be heard to be believed. "Oh, Marie" is also a highlight, and is much closer to the original opera version than Dean Martin's Neapolitan cover ever was.
While this release is lovingly packaged in a cardboard reproduction of the original cover, it is by no means a perfect release. Mainly, this is due to the fact that it is sourced from 2nd generation master tapes. While that may be better than some releases can muster, Perry Como really deserves the best. 1st generation master tapes should be the order of the day. Because of the sources used, there is a noticeable (but not overwhelming) hiss. Overall, this is a better than average Perry Como release and is surly one souvenir you cannot be without, even if the price is a little on the steep side for those of us outside the land of the rising sun.
A.J. Smith
A 19 year-old music fan
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER SINGER LIKE HIM., April 8, 2008
IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS IS PERRY COMO'S MASTERPIECE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD HIM SOUND AS GOOD IN ANY OTHER RECORDING AS HE SOUNDS ON THIS ALBUM. THERE IS A WARMTH IN THE TONE OF HIS VOICE THAT IS UNMATCHED IN PREVIOUS RECORDINGS.
NICK PERITO ALSO DESERVES A GREAT DEAL OF CREDIT FOR THE LUSH
ARRANGEMENTS THAT MAKE THIS SUCH A SPECIAL RECORDING. THERE IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT SOUND OR MUSICAL PHRASE AT THE RIGHT TIME COMPLIMENTING COMO'S VOICE. IT IS ALSO PERITO'S FINEST WORK.
IT TOOK YEARS FOR THIS ALBUM TO FINALLY BE RELEASED ON CD MAKING ITS WAY TO JAPAN AND BACK.
NOW IT HAS COME HOME AND A NEW GENERATION OF LISTENERS CAN MARVEL AT ITS PERFECTION.
BUY IT, AND LISTEN TO IT WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE!
|
|
|
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
~ Perry Como
~ Perry Como
~ Perry Como
by Perry Como 
