PERRY COMO
SINGS HIS FAVORITE
SONGS
OF WORSHIP
with chorus and the St. Patrick's
Cathedral Boys' Choir conducted by Mitchell Ayres
When RCA Victor decided that the time was right for a new popular collection of religious songs, company executives didn't have to think twice about the artist who should record it. Perry Como was the ideal choice, for many reasons. First, of course, Como's superb voice and his thoughtful, relaxed phrasing make him perfectly suited to sing this kind of music. Second, Perry's personal background indicated that he could bring to these hymns the proper kind of respect and reverence. When Como was approached about the project, his enthusiasm convinced everyone that he was the man for the job. Perry Como is the product of a humble, simple family. He is one of thirteen children and the seventh son of a seventh son. His parents were Italian immigrants and Como naturally developed a strong taste for family life. It turned out to be a taste which almost wrecked his professional career. Perry's first singing job was with a touring orchestra, and four days after he wed his childhood sweetheart he had to leave with the band on a tour. He didn't see her again for eighteen months and this convinced him that this was no life for him. As he was about to give up he was offered a better job with a bigger band -- Ted Weems'. The salary he got with Weems made it possible for him to take his wife on the road with him. When Ronny was born, however, Perry sent his wife and son back to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and again grew weary of the life he was leading. When Weems joined the army in 1942, Como went home and resolved to stay there rather than go back on the road. Fate stepped in at this point, however, and Perry was called to New York to sing on a sustaining radio program. The rest is history, Como became an overnight sensation. Today, with his wife and family always with him in their Long Island home, he has finally achieved the kind of life he always hoped for. Perry hates affectation. His naturalness and friendliness are a source of inspiration to everyone associated with him in the music business. He says of this collection: "I'm really happy that RCA Victor gave me a chance to record these songs of worship." "Many of these songs we sang at home when I was a kid. Singing together is one of the ways of keeping the family together. That is especially true when you sing the important songs which have a meaning and a message for every member of the family." "The Rosary, of course, is a classic for both concert and religious groups." "Bless this House is a universal message of thanksgiving for any family." "The Prayer of Thanksgiving certainly belongs in every home today." "It was a privilege to record these wonderful and important songs of worship. I hope their message is welcomed in every home." Mitchell Ayres |
