Classic Como album
Vincent T. Lynch | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 11/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always felt that although it was not my personal favorite and that Como's voice was not at its peak, that "Lightly Latin" from Perry Como and RCA in 1966 was one of his best theme albums. Hearing it now for the first time on CD, I still feel that way. Manufactured by BMG Japan, they've done a nice job here. The sound is crisp (nice guitar and reeds definition), you'll hear a few studio noises (which makes me feel this is well produced), the clarity is very good (even with the chorus), and stereo separation is superb. Orchestrations are excellent, if a bit predictable for Nick Perito. Yes, a few places you'll notice that tape hiss we all got used to from the mid-1960's, but it is not very distracting at all. In short, well produced. For me, the highlights are "Shadow Of Your Smile", "Yesterday", "Manha de Carnival", and particularly "Baia", which has a wonderful sweeping arrangement. The extra treat here are four Como recordings never before released. Although they are in mono (the rest of the album is stereo), the sound is exceptional for mono recordings. "Happiness Comes, Happiness Goes" is a delightful, bright, lilting, Latin-flavored number far superior to the "rock" version Como released previously. "Perhaps" has a more classic Latin arrangement, and Como is in great voice; perhaps he should have released a subsequent album "Not So Lightly Latin"! "My Little Boat", well, "okay", but Perry was not in his best voice here. "Pardon My English" is a cute song, and perhaps it would have eventually turned out well, but this take is perhaps the least satisfying on the album. Expensive -- yes! Worth it -- yes, for any fan of Perry Como."
Thank you Japan
M. A. Dunnington | Stourbridge, West Midlands United Kingdom | 11/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thank you the Sinatra Music Society for this release. From Japan via the USA to my home in the UK - well travelled but well worth waiting for. One of my favourite Como albums has now been enhanced with four bonus tracks. "Happiness, Comes, Happiness Goes" is a completely different take on the original single and suits the mood of the original album. The only poor bonus track is "Pardon My English" and you can see clearly why it was dropped from the original album. Not Perry at his best struggling with an inferior product. The sound is superb. I have the original Japanese release of this CD (without bonus tracks) in the 1990's - remastering has moved on a great deal since then. The Collectibles series put out in the USA were all very inferior product - the Japanese have made up for this. Thank you again Japan!!!!!"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1