A legend in his own
lifetime. Easy enough to say, but difficult to justify. Not in the
case of Perry Como. He has all the essential qualifications in
abundance. Forty years in the front rank of world entertainers puts
the question beyond doubt.
Now well into his 70s, Perry might happily have taken is last bow
and gracefully faded away -- one more golden memory of a bygone age.
Grand old troupers like Perry don't play that kind of music. The
audience demands, the artist provides, It is as simple as that.
THE BEST OF TIMES, his soaring success from the Broadway Musical
La
Cage aux Folles, certainly left my Radio 2 audience calling for
more. This album goes one step further as the master craftsman puts
his stamp on some of the great hits from the shows and films that
have spanned his own extraordinary career.
After all these years it is worth recalling that Perry Como, born on
18th May, 1912, was an Italian American barber in his home town of
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, until he fell under the spell of the big
band sound in the '30s.
By 1945 he was well established as one of America's favourite
singers, thanks to steam radio and the juke box era. He went on to
make Hollywood movies and then took television by storm with the
long-running Perry Como Show.
Millions on both sides of the Atlantic were enchanted by the
deceptively relaxed baritone voice as the hits kept on coming. Don't
Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes, Hot Diggity, Catch a Falling Star,
Magic Moments, Delaware, It's Impossible, And I Love You So, For the
Good Times . . . to name but a few. Now another album, something
different again.
Irving Berlin wrote:
"A
singer like a songwriter, must be judged by his staying power. Perry
Como's record will show that he's been up there on top for many
years and I know he will remain there for a good many more."
Those words were more prophetic than the great man could ever have
dreamed. They were written in 1958. And still Perry Como is up there
on top. Where he belongs.
DEREK JAMESON
COMPILATION BY DON BURKHIMER AND TOMMY
LOFTUS
PROJECT SUPERVISION BY PAUL WILLIAMS
DIGITALLY REMASTERED BY MICHAEL MORAN
Special thanks to Eileen Cafarella,
Phoebe Kranish
and Nancy Chessare
Copyright 1986 RCA / Ariola
International
THE BEST OF TIMES
~ 16 TRACKS (
I MEDLEY ) TIME 55:35
1986
BMG UK
RCA PD 89970
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