Irving Berlin, writer of songs, said of Perry Como, singer of songs: “A singer, like a songwriter, must be judged by his staying power. You can’t point to one or two hit records that he made. You must ask How good has his average been over the years?’ Perry Como’s record (no pun intended) will show that he’s been up there on top for a good many years and I know he will remain there for a good many more.” Como’s gross record sales are in the 50-million class, but he is too cool to tell you how many Gold Records adorn the walls of his study. What is interesting about these million-selling sellers is not merely their number but their range. While love, everlasting or unrequited, is a major theme of his repertoire, he scored mightily with material in other, contrasting categories. It is a remarkable achievement in that his fame is uniquely the product of his voice — and of a style — relaxed, affectionate, and low-keyed. Mr. C. does not make headlines. He is involved in no sensational escapades. He does not even make personal appearances — his recent SRO engagement at Las Vegas’ International Hotel was the first in 27 years. Mr. C. exploded on the record scene with a lyrical adaptation of Chopin’s Polonaise in A-Flat. Titled TILL THE END OF TIME, it contained an echo of the war with an expression of unquenchable yearning for permanence and an enduring love. The following year Mr. C. scored with PRISONER OF LOVE and went on to become a consistent hitmaker on the record scene and a wonderfully welcome figure on the TV tube. A delicate sense of comedy has always been in evidence on Mr. C.’s television appearances. Long before he became a TV superstar, Como displayed a friendly ear for comedy and novelty songs. There are several gems in this collection, PAPA LOVES MAMBO, A HUBBA-HUBBA-HUBBA, HOT DIGGITY. And there’s DELAWARE with its extended play on the names of states. Como’s charm transforms what could have sounded contrived into something deliciously funny. As the round is a perpetually appealing device, Como’s use of it in CATCH A FALLING STAR and ROUND AND ROUND yielded flawless and timeless discs. Como’s talent in overwhelming material is nowhere so evident perhaps, as in DON’T LET THE STARS GET IN YOUR EYES which became one of his biggest selling singles. In a large sense all these accomplishments would be minor or meaningless if Como did not stand forth as one of the supreme ballad singers of our time. Cool, detached, soothing, his romanticism can also be dramatic, impassioned and, as in BECAUSE, soulful. Como’s Golden Records shows the full spectrum of Como’s unique talent. Here is Mr. C. at his very best. | Front Cover | Back over |