A first rate collection of Christmas songs from Perry Como

Sometimes I think that Perry Como and Andy Williams are having a contest to be the most forgotten American pop vocalist of the Fifties and Sixties. I, for one, hope that Williams wins because on the strengths of superb Christmas albums like this one, it is Como that deserves to be remembered. I like a good Christmas medley and Como offers up three excellent examples on this album, the best of which is the first, "Caroling, Caroling/The First Noel/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." However, his album is most noteworthy for having more than its fair share of less traditional Christmas songs. Some of these are quiet old, such as "All Through the Night," while others are contemporary, including "I Wish it Could be Christmas Forever," but I think you will find a couple of these "new" songs to ones that you will want to hear again each Christmas season. Como also takes songs like "My Favorite Things" and "Turn Around," which have nothing to do with Christmas, and make them a part of the holidays. Perry Como is one of those rare singers who never sounded better than when he was singing Christmas songs and "A Perry Como Christmas" overs up 22 great tracks, ending with his lovely versin of "Ave Marie" backed up by the Robert Shaw Chorale.

Best Xmas Compilation Of All Time

Okay, I admit it: I'm prejudiced. I love Perry Como, and have, ever since I was old enough to know who he was, and what he did. Everyone loves a lover, and everyone should love a singer, if that singer is the fabulous Mr. Como. Part of the joys of Xmas, if you grew up in the 50's, 60's, or 70's, were the Xmas specials with Perry Como or Andy Williams. It's pretty hard to find any DVD's of Perry these days, but there are some very nice CD's available, and this is one of the best. I just got it today, and I have been playing it ever since I pulled it out of the box. Fall in love with life, love, and Christmas. You just can't help it with the mellow, fabulous voice of Perry Como playing in the background of your life. There are some non-Xmas songs on this, but since they include Turn Around, long a favorite of mine, that doesn't bother me one bit. It truly can be Xmas year round if you have this wonderful disc. Love you Perry C!

Great - But not Best Como Christmas Effort

I was looking for a Perry Como album after listening to his contributions on the Time-Life Christmas series and wanting to hear more. His voice seems absolutely made for Christmas music, and there is much here to delight you. The 10 minute story of Christmas is very interesting and moving as is his rendition of Ave Maria. He also has several lighter numbers, Santa Claus is Coming to Town in particular is an excellent example of music from a different genre.

I highly recommend this CD, but with one word of caution. There are a number of songs that are not Christmas songs, and it has gotten to the point that I just skip past them (a nice part about CD's!). Some of them are forgivable - Turn Around and Bells of St. Mary's both work just fine, but Father of Girls and a few others just get to the point where you want to shout - why is this here?!!? If you don't mind them - or you are a Perry Como fan who likes all of his music, by all means go for it. If that will bother you, however, look into his Greatest Christmas Songs CD. However, it will not have all of the Christmas songs from this CD. So... a note to all music publishers, combine these albums, scratch the completely non-Christmas numbers and add Perry's Bless This House (the title might be something else - it is hard to find anywhere). Then you would really have an outstanding album!