These recordings need to listened appreciatively within the context of their time and the wonderful band directed by Ted Weems with which Perry worked for six years from 1936 to 1941. The Weems band has been called a "singer's delight" which featured a range of talented singers, one after another, of which Perry is undoubtedly the most famous. And though these recordings, all recorded during Perry's stint with Weems, will be of great interest to Como fans, curious to hear what he sounded like during these very early years, the real reasons for listening to them should be to appreciate Weems and the talents of all who performed in his band. Perry's performances are all secondary and I make this claim respectfully. Ted Weems ". . . interspersed his crisp, unsophisticated ensemble sounds with the crooning of Como; the sweet, ingénue-singing of little Mary Lee; the more sexy emoting of Marvell Maxwell (who later changed her name to Marilyn Maxwell and became a Hollywood star); the novelties of Red Ingle, whom Como calls "one of the most talented men I've ever met" and who later made a hit record of "Timtayshun" with Jo Stafford; the straightforward rhythmic singing of Parker Gibbs, [ who went on to be ] a top NBC radio producer; the stylized, semi- hillbilly performances of "Country" Washburn, and the whistling of Elmo Tanner." When you listen to these recordings, think about these people and not just Perry alone.

Also available by Perry Como JASCD344, JASCD359, JASCD445, and JASCD645

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1. YOU CAN'T PULL THE WOOL OVER MY EYES
2. LAZY WEATHER
3. UNTIL TODAY
4. PICTURE ME WITHOUT YOU
5. (TROUBLE ENDS) OUT WHERE THE BLUE BEGINS
6. RAINBOW ON THE RIVER
7. SUNDAY IN THE PARK
8. A GYPSY TOLD ME
9. IN MY LITTLE RED BOOK
10. GOODNIGHT, SWEET DREAMS, GOODNIGHT
11. A SHACK IN THE BACK OF THE HILLS
12. SIMPLE AND SWEET
13. RIBBONS AND ROSES
14. AD-DE-DAY
15. CLASS WILL TELL
16. GOODY GOODBYE
17. TWO BLIND LOVES
18. THAT OLD GANG OF MINE
19. I WONDER WHO'S KISSING HER NOW
20. ON THE ISLAND OF CATALINA
21. IT ALL COMES BACK TO ME NOW
22. MAY I NEVER LOVE AGAIN
23. ROSE OF THE ROCKIES
24. ANGELINE