|
It is better than I remembered it to be.This is truly a classic Christmas album especially for Como fans. I haven't heard any of his other Christmas album and I'm sure that they are all good since Como was such a class act. When I was a kid we used to listen to this album on vinyl as we decorated the tree and got ready for Christmas. His honey-smooth and warm voice are the perfect addition to lights on the tree and hot chocolate in a comfy chair in front of the fire. But this album brings back a lot of good, warm memories for me and harkens back to a simpler, less hectic time.Richard Bienvenu[.]. Our phonograph no longer works and over the years I often have certain songs on this album playing in my head, especially Home for the Holidays, as we decorate for the season. I found the CD of this classic album on Amazon and bought it.
Do yourself a favor and get this for yourself and your family, especially if you have kids. One of the best Christmas records ever recorded. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and the classic Home For The Holidays all wonderful arrangements reminiscent of a time when things were a lot simpler. The photographic memories didn't stop after finally hearing this album for the first time in it's entirety since I was a kid. They truly don't make them like this any more. The arrangements of the classic Christmas songs and carols on here stand alone.
Each and every song is very special to me. My favorite track is the telling of the Christmas story. This is an album I grew up with and I was so excited to find it on Amazon. It reminds me of my childhood and spending time with my family. Should you decide to purchase this you will be as pleased as I am, I'm sure of it. I still have the album, but it is so old and scratchy. I am thrilled to be able to replace it.
Christmas songs just don't get much than this christmas song.And to add, every other song (including the religious such as O HOLY NIGHT and the religious medley at the end) are top notch. The voice, the backing orchestra, the backing chrous, the production, the complete sound, all this combined makes this the ultimate trip to christmas of yesteryear, to the christmas we grew up with. Perry's singing, the orchestra, and The Ray Charles Singers make this song one of the greatest christmas songs ever recorded. That is the christmas sound that many of us like to capture during the christmas season and the best recording to do that, in my opinion, is this one, the 1959 album, PERRY COMO - SEASON'S GREETINGS.
The style is relaxed and beautiful. And the orchestra, chorus, and production (sound) is as great as it could be. Even the song selection is quite possibly perfect. That's why, as I said a few times, this is one of the best christmas albums ever recorded and is the essential one for that old crooner sound. This could be the best christmas album of all time (well, next to THE LIVING STRINGS 1963 album, THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS and maybe, just maybe, a few others). But this Perry Como christmas album is the #1 essential christmas album to get for this reason: When you think of the old christmas music from back in the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's, people like Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole come to mind. Perry's voice is in top form. WINTER WONDERLAND and RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER are also superbly done, very mellow and relaxed, but very beautiful.But, all that said, the best song is still the first song and Perry's most famous christmas song which was his biggest christmas hit (and one of his biggest hits, period), (THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
After a mellow but nice start, it really kicks into full gear and of special note is the Ray Charles Singers singing backup who really, really shine in this song, especially their solo somewhere towards the middle or just past.SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN is easily the best version of the song ever recorded and was a hit for Perry. Not one single weak song where you have to skip one to get to the next.The only 'crooner' (both male and female) styled christmas albums that have ever approached this album are JOHNNY MATHIS - MERRY CHRISTMAS (1958), CONNIE FRANCIS - CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART (1959), KATE SMITH - THE KATE SMITH CHRISTMAS ALBUM (1966), and JACK JONES - THE JACK JONES CHRISTMAS ALBUM (1964). This cd is also perfect to play as background music when you have family and/or friends over for the christmas holidays. As mentioned at the top, though, this PERRY COMO is the essential one if you want that complete and perfect old 'crooner' sound.This album clearly has Perry at his singing best, his style of 'relaxed' is evident throughout, and there is so much power to his voice that he just could be the best singer there is. Nice 'strings' solo instrumental part towards the middle. It's hard to choose a best one as all are recommended and just so good.
You know, that old crooner sound that defines christmas music for so many of us (because we grew up with it). I'm sure most to all who have this album (cd) would agree with me here. It really is 'christmas.'I will also go as far as saying that Perry's version of WHITE CHRISTMAS is one of the best versions ever recorded also. This album defines the 'christmas crooner sound.'As another reviewer recently commented, Perry's version of THE CHRISTMAS SONG could be the best version of the song ever recorded. Give it an honest chance and you'll see what we mean.
It took four decades until I found out that they were notthe singers of the late Ray Charles but of a totally different Ray Charles. Even as a child I wondered how the heck "The Ray Charles Singers" sounded sodifferent on this recording. They still soundgreat. I first heard this album at my favorite aunt's house almost 50 years ago.It instantly became for me the gold standard for every christmas album since. In my opinionit is the single best Christmas album ever recorded, and I have and enjoy dozens.Perry Como's "The Christmas Song" leaves all other versions in the dust.The beauty of his voice throughout the entire album, and the superb production andengineering make it seem as if it had been recorded yesterday.This one is a must for every Christmas collection.Merry Christmas.P.S.
|
