He was the essence of cool,
literally and metaphorically. When Perry Como's honeyed tones filled
the room over several decades of indelible hit recordings, it was as
if he'd called at your house to deliver a personal performance, and
never even broken sweat in the process.
The apparently effortless but masterfully measured intimacy of
Perry's vocal style is long overdue the career reappraisal you are
now perusing. Como
commands a place in the VIP lounge of swinging singers, his
prodigious catalogue of theme tunes inviting us back into a world
that was romantic, unhurried and unselfconsciously high-class.
This collection embraces a massive résumé of hits that began in a
mercurial rise to stardom in the war years, blossomed further in the
pre-rock 'n' roll era of the early 1950s and extended all the way
into the '70s, when Como often outrageously outsold the glam-pop
scene-makers of the day. You'll also hear his unique interpretative
touch on classics from I've Got You Under My Skin to Close To You,
underscoring the full impact of one of America's most beloved and
enduring entertainers of the 20th century.
He was born Pierino Como, into a huge family to Italian immigrant
parents, in the mining town of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on May 18,
1912. And what more appropriate beginnings for a young singer than
being apprenticed into barbering at the age of 10 and owning his own
barbershop at the age of 14? Perry then branched out to sing with
Freddie Carlone's band in his early 20s, and was noticed in 1936 by
Chicago bandleader Ted Weems, who gave him a national platform as
the singer on a number of wartime favourites for the Decca label.
When Weems' group split in 1942, Perry landed a radio spot as the
host of the local CBS show Supper Club, leading to a contract with
RCA. When he began recording for them the following year, the impact
was immediate and immense. He first appeared on a Billboard chart in
August 1943 on RCA's Victor label, for whom, incredibly, he would
continue to record for the next 45 years.
With his quixotic baritone complemented by heartthrob looks,
Hollywood soon beckoned, too. In 1944, Perry appeared on screen with
Carmen Miranda and Phil Silvers in the Cole Porter-scored Something
For The Boys. Numerous US chart-toppers followed, including Some
Enchanted Evening, and when the UK joined in with its first singles
sales charts in the early 1950s, Como's international impact became
easier to appreciate. In 1953, he topped the British charts for five
weeks with Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, the gateway to
numerous other hits such as Wanted, Papa Loves Mambo and Hot Diggity
(Dog Ziggity Boom), all included here.
Unlike so many idols of the day, Perry's dreamy vocals would
demonstrate a deceptive resilience, even when rock 'n' roll came
calling. Some of his biggest, most imperishable singles were created
as Elvis mobilized his hips and Jerry Lee stomped on his piano, and
Magic Moments, Catch A Falling Star and the coolly-word playing
Delaware all became Como signatures.
He recorded and performed far more sporadically in the 1960s, but
1970 brought his first live show for more than two decades, and the
beginning of an extraordinary new chapter. As Como approached his
59th birthday, the ballad It's Impossible became one of the surprise
hits of 1971, followed by two more interpretations that turned back
the clock to charming effect, And I Love You So and For The Good
Times.
Como appeared in many TV specials and on disc through the '70s and
was still recording for RCA in 1987, at the age of 75. It seemed
gently appropriate when this unmatched master of relaxed virtuosity
passed away in his sleep, a few days before he'd have turned 89, on
May 12, 2001. As you're hearing, his cool romance and unmatched
class live on, and always will.
Zomba
Records UK Ltd
Zomba House
165-167 High Road
Willesden
London NW10 2SG
Telephone: +44 20 8459 8899
Fax: +44 20 8451 3900
Album
Notes by
Paul Sexton, Summer
2003
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