Customer Reviews

Today & Yesterday: Celebration in Song

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This is a well engineered collection of songs dating from Perry's very first recording for the RCA Victor label in 1943 to his last in 1987. The recordings are presented chronologically and that's a plus. Unfortunately, Perry's recording career is by far too massive to be well represented within a three CD collection such as this. BMG could have devouted an entire set to his 1940s recordings alone not to mention almost every decade since! Releasing only one song from the five album collection produced by Hugo & Luigi in the early 60s, for example, is clearly a misrepresentation of Perry's recorded repertoire and his very successful Nashville collection is not clearly represented either. The real problem here is that BMG is trying to do too much with too little. Perry's success is probably more cross generational than even Sinatra and his many fans would have been better served had BMG attempted to focus in on this fact a little better. This is a collection well worth having but there are more recordings missing than there are present. BMG is attempting to kill a number of birds with one stone, if you'll pardon the cliche, but their shots are far too scattered. Anyone familiar with the Como repertoire knows full well that he deserves better than this from a label to which Mr. C. was loyal for almost 50 years. This is a good start but BMG needs to go back to the drawing table and begin to do the job thoroughly.

It's a tragedy that most people under forty don't even know who Perry Como is and few have ever been exposed to his music. This album will introduce to some marvelous music, sung by the inimitable Perry Como. As a fan of Perry, Sinatra and Bing Crosby, comparisons to their voices is inevitable. Perry modeled himself closely after Bing and the influence clearly shows. His voice wasn't as deep and his range wasn't as great, but his voice was more mellifluous and mellow, particularly as he aged.

All of Perry's great 40's and 50's hits are included here, as well as two stellar songs from the 70's, "And I Love You So" (my personal favorite) and "It's Impossible." Como injected so much pathos and emotion in both these songs. He learned how to use his vocal instrument more effectively as he got older. One of the greatest moment on this set is the inclusion of Perry's last great song, "Wing Beneath my Wings," one of the best swan songs in American music.

Perry Como's music is timeless and anyone of any age can enjoy it. No one else sang quite like him with that beautifully restrained, sweet, gentle style. I've seen Perry in concert several times and he was a beautiful man, inside and out. His voice mirrors his soul and this is a superb collection.

There are too many fine recordings of Perry Como to try to come up with the definitive three c.d. collection, but this comes as close as anyone can get. I just hope that R.C.A. goes to the effort of putting together part 2 of the Como collection. I'll surely be waiting.

This 3 CD collection from BMG was assembled in 1993 to celebrate Perry Como's 60th Year in Showbusiness and what would have been his 50th Anniversary with RCA Victor Records. As is often the case within such collections, there is particular focus on the 1940's and 1950's recordings. Probably the main point of interest is the 4 previously unreleased recordings which are featured on the compilation. They are: "You Are Never Far Away" (The full version of Perry's Closing Theme), "Try A Little Tenderness", "Unchained Melody" and "Bumming Around".

This collection is a good attempt, but is by no means definitive. As is often the case, many of Perry's exceptional output from the 1960's is overlooked; which is very much in error. This 3 CD set comes with a large accompanying booklet with information about Perry and his legacy. There are also many photos in the book, many of which have never been collected together in a booklet such as this before.

The sources of this collection are Release Master Tapes, with some 1st Generation Masters employed where selected unreleased tracks have been chosen and some tracks re-mixed to Stereo. The re-mixing and re-mastering is done to a very good standard.

With over 70 songs within the compilation, this 3 CD Set is definitely good value for money; if you can get it at the right price. It is a good step in the right direction, but is still a misrepresentation of Perry's recording career with RCA Victor which spanned from 1943 to 1987. The last thirty years of Perry's recording career in particular have brief attention within this set. There are few album tracks other than "title" songs and those released as singles. It is also important to remember that the charts do not represent the true measure of an artist's success.

When I read in the paper this week end that the incomparable Perry Como had passed away I had to write and tell you how much \ he will be missed. We own the "Yesterday,today and tomorrow" on cassette, and our entire family have been huge fans for many years. When one of the biography channels did a tribute to him some months back, my mother was thrilled. She doesnt see well,but she recognized his voice immediately! I plan to add several more recordings to her collection shortly. I remember watching his Christmas specials over the years,until he himself decided to retire when the powers that be decided NOT to do them live, and wanted to tape them in the summer. Not a really smart move. The last one we saw was Christmas in Ireland. Although,he preferred the ballads, we always got a kick out of the novelty songs,and of course who could forget "Manners the butler" on his television show always razzing him. Wonder if any of them will be available on video? We'll miss him and his music, but are glad he is at peace. And of course there are all those wonderful recordings!

Perry Como, the original singing barber, is nothing less than a gift to mankind from His Creator. You and I shall never hear a voice as magnificent as that of Perry Como. Yes, the same generation that fought gallantly in Europe and the Pacific for my freedom was obviously touched by God; He granted them, and their descendants, the voice of Perry Como.

My parents introduced me to "Mr. C" when we got our first television set, his Christmas specials were always a must(even if they weren't filmed at Christmas, and when my dad passed away
all I had to tell our organist was that I wanted the "Perry Como version" of Ave Maria sung at his funeral. Am I a fan,oh, yes. I bought this wonderful boxed set for my mother on Cassette for Christmas several years ago.(Guess I am going to have to spring for the Cds too.This is a super collection of his work. We shall miss him very much, but will have this collection and more to remember him by. I really enjoy his religious recording above all the rest,but "Hot diggity" and "Round and round" are right up there too. And of course "It's impossible". It really IS impossible to replace this wonderful man who has given us so many hours of enjoyment. May God Bless him!!!

My dad mentioned last summer that he wished he could find a copy of "Wind Beneath my Wings" by Perry Como. After searching through 200+ Perry Como entries here on Amazon, I finally found it (of course, it had to start with a "Y"!). I gave it to my father for Christmas - he was so surprised and happy. And best of all, all of Perry's other favorites are here, too. Go on, make someone happy!

Like most baby-boomers,I grew up watching Perry Como on TV and listening to his music. He has a relaxed, breezy style and all the hits are here; except for his wonderful Christmas music which should give you the incentive to pick up those on cd as well. You'll enjoy this collection for years to come.

If you're a Como fan, this is the package to buy. It has Mr.C's very best...Como was one of the finest singers of the century and this cd package is a great tribute to the man and his great talents.