More, please !!!
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Scene Changes (With The Anita Kerr Quartet) / Lightly Latin is an excellent two-fer CD by Perry Como; it has all the tracks from Perry's two albums entitled The Scene Changes (With The Anita Kerr Quartet) and Lightly Latin. The Scene Changes record album was produced by Chet Atkins, so you know that there's going to be nothing but the best here; and Lightly Latin features several terrific songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim. I agree with the reviewer who writes that the Collectibles label did a fine job of making sure that the tracks on this CD were pleasing and easy on the ear. The quality of the sound is excellent; and that artwork incorporates the original art from the two record albums. Great!
"Where Does A Little Tear Come From" starts the album off with a very pretty melody; Perry sings this with The Anita Kerr Quartet and together they all sound wonderful. Perry doesn't let go of a superfluous note and this impresses me greatly. The Anita Kerr Quartet does a fine job of harmonizing in the background. "Funny How Time Slips Away" has a sweet country flavor and a stunning horn solo; and listen for "Sweet Adorable You." "Sweet Adorable You" has a peppy tempo that works very well; and Perry sings this to perfection. "I Really Don't Want To Know" is another memorable song about a man who wants to think only of his woman's love for him and not about any previous love affairs she had; the arrangement charms me with its beauty. In addition, "Dream On Little Dreamer" has another `60s type arrangement; I admire Perry for being able to develop and take on this type of arrangement without ever stumbling as so many "celebrities" did.
"Stand Beside Me" is a pretty love song that grabs my attention and Perry wears his heart on his sleeve for "Stand Beside Me." "A Hatchet, A Hammer, A Bucket Of Nails" is also very sweet; and "My Own Peculiar Way" has a distinct country sound that works very well for this ballad. The Anita Kerr Quartet enhances this song all the more. "Give Myself A Party" gets a spirited treatment even though it delves into a man's feelings when his woman no longer loves him; and "How Insensitive" is stunningly beautiful. I could never tire of hearing Perry Como sing How Insensitive;" Perry's rendition is THE definitive rendition of this number. "The Shadow Of Your Smile" was always one of my favorite classic pop vocal numbers; and when Perry sings this it really takes flight! Perry Como was born to sing numbers like "The Shadow Of Your Smile" whether it got a Latin treatment or a more traditional flavor.
"Yesterday" showcases how well Perry Como could cover a song; he never misses a note and the Latin arrangement works wonders for "Yesterday." "Coo Coo Roo Coo Coo Paloma" is very beautiful; I first heard this sung by Harry Belafonte but Perry's version is stronger! "Baía" has an exotic sounding arrangement and it makes good use of the percussion; and listen for "Once I Loved -Amor e Paz." "Once I Loved -Amor e Paz" simply never sounded better; I love it! The album closes very nicely with Perry Como performing "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars." "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars" shines bright and it makes a fine ending number for this two-fer CD.
Perry Como deserves to be remembered much more so than he is remembered these days; but I hope that will change when people get more CDs like this one. Perry's skill took him far; and The Anita Kerr Quartet enhanced several numbers on this CD. While people who like The Anita Kerr Quartet or Antonio Carlos Jobim may want this CD, it's definitely a "must-have" for Perry Como fans. It's also a great place to start if you're discovering the remarkable talents of Perry Como.
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Track Listings (24) - Disc #1