Perry Como – “By Request”
Back in the blooming age of the internet, in the year 2003, I came across a website while browsing the world wide web. That site – FindADeath – had their own posting on Perry Como – and that was my introduction to Perry Como. It was also my introduction to blogging in a sort of way, I like Scott and what he does at FAD. I’ve always found his work interesting and educational. Back to the record though, fast forward about 10 or 15 years and I’m in a secondhand store, and I come across an album. Blue cover. Rose. Perry Como. “Hey, I know that name!” $1.99 later, here we are.
I’ve never actually listened to Perry Como before, so this is a first for me. It opens with the song “Maria” and by like the 10th Maria, I wonder if there are more lyrics. (Yes, there are.) Perry’s got a nice voice, but this isn’t exactly my jive. Next up, “Lollipops and Roses” – we continue the trend of slow, vocal standards, which I mean, it’s somebody’s thing, not exactly mine. “The Sweetest Sounds” comes next, the orchestration on this album is pretty good. I will say that when he does do the higher notes, he does have a very nice pitch and range. “More Than Likely” continues the album, and I am still waiting for a great big, high energy pop ballad. “Moonglow and Theme from ‘Picnic’” comes next, and I wish I could enjoy this music more, but for me it’s just still not something I can bop along with. “My Favorite Things” closes out the A-Side, and I’m pretty sure this is a Christmas song, though I do know it is from “The Sound of Music” and not sure if he does it better than Julie Andrews or not.
The long awaited B-Side opens with “Once Upon a Time” and we are still going with that more slow paced album, I am now wondering if my Grandmother would’ve liked Perry Como. Okay, so now we go onto “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” and we all know that nobody does it better, with Klaus Nomi being a close second. Perry, since, he’s only like maybe the third person I’ve heard do this song (I’ve probably heard more) he comes in third. “What’s New?” comes next, and I’m slightly disappointed to know that it is not the Tom Jones song. It is a really slow paced album. “Somebody Cares” comes next, and I feel there is a bit more emotion in this song, but still too slow paced for my liking. “I’ll Remember April” comes next, and maybe I’m just not a pop standard type of guy, because I don’t feel that Perry Como is bringing the energy. The album closes out with “Moon River” and yes, it’s a song I am familiar with, and I can say definitely not one of my favorites.
In the end, I’ve learned that Perry Como isn’t really for me. He did have a nice voice though.
Catalog Number:
LPM/LSP-2567
Credits:
Orchestra conducted by Mitchell Ayres
Backing Vocals – The Ray Charles Singers
Recording Engineer – Bob Simpson
Released:
196?
Find it on Discogs:
