If I Could Almost Read Your Mind

Words and Music by Ray Charles and Nick Perito

Arranged and Conducted by Nick Perito

1st recording 1970 'Live' ~

Conducted by Nick Perito

Produced by Ernie Altschuler

Recorded Live June 25th, 26th, and 27th, 1970 at the International Hotel, Las Vegas

Recording Engineer: Mickey Crofford

Live Recording time 4:00

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas" LSPX-1001 STEREO 1970

Album issue: RCA-JAPAN-LP12 "Perry Como In Person" R4P-5007 DISCRETE 4 CHANNEL STEREO 1970

Album issue: RCA-UK-LP12 "In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas" SF-8159 STEREO 1970

Album issue: RCA-HOLLAND-LP12 "Perry Como In Concert" NL-42976 STEREO U/K

In Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas ~ 1970

| Lyrics | 1970 Album | 1980 Album | CD-Finder |

2nd recording 1980 'Live' ~

Arranged and Conducted by Nick Perito

with Vocal Arrangements by Ray Charles

Live recording on location produced by Mike Berniker

Time 31:36 Side A and 28:42 Side B applause and talk included

Recording Engineer: Mike Moran

RCA Mobile Unit: Ron Olson and Tom Brown

Mastering Engineer: Mike Posner

Recorded 'Live' at the Mill Run Theatre, Niles, Illinois, July 29th, 30th, 31st, 1980

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "Perry Como Live On Tour" AQL1-3826 STEREO 1981

| Lyrics | 1970 Album | 1980 Album | CD-Finder |

Notes: ~ Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot had a popular recording titled "If You Could Read My Mind" which is often confused with this special-material composition by Ray Charles and Nick Perito. The Lightfoot song has no connection with this song but it was on the charts at about the same time as Mr. Como's recording of "It's Impossible" and not long following release of this live album. The Como song pokes fun at his public persona and it was used many times in live performance with slight variations in the lyric. Through the use of very clever lyrics and self depreciating humor, Mr. Como delivers the song with impeccable diction and timing. During the 1970s Canadian impressionist Rich Little appeared on a Como Christmas Special and imitated Mr. C. with special lyrics in a similar vein: "I'm beginning to sound a lot like Perrry! So relaxed and cooool! My impression would be complete, and it would be really neat, to fall asleep while sitting on his stool!" ( to the tune of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" which was a popular single for Mr. C. in 1951/52 )