This is a well engineered collection of songs dating from Perry's very first recording for the RCA Victor label in 1943 to his last in 1987. The recordings are presented chronologically and that's a plus. Unfortunately, Perry's recording career is by far too massive to be well represented within a three CD collection such as this. BMG could have devouted an entire set to his 1940s recordings alone not to mention almost every decade since! Releasing only one song from the five album collection produced by Hugo & Luigi in the early 60s, for example, is clearly a misrepresentation of Perry's recorded repertoire and his very successful Nashville collection is not clearly represented either. The real problem here is that BMG is trying to do too much with too little. Perry's success is probably more cross generational than even Sinatra and his many fans would have been better served had BMG attempted to focus in on this fact a little better. This is a collection well worth having but there are more recordings missing than there are present. BMG is attempting to kill a number of birds with one stone, if you'll pardon the cliche, but their shots are far too scattered. Anyone familiar with the Como repertoire knows full well that he deserves better than this from a label to which Mr. C. was loyal for almost 50 years. This is a good start but BMG needs to go back to the drawing table and begin to do the job thoroughly.

There are too many fine recordings of Perry Como to try to come up with the definitive three c.d. collection, but this comes as close as anyone can get. I just hope that R.C.A. goes to the effort of putting together part 2 of the Como collection. I'll surely be waiting.

When I read in the paper this week end that the incomparable Perry Como had passed away I had to write and tell you how much \ he will be missed. We own the "Yesterday,today and tomorrow" on cassette, and our entire family have been huge fans for many years. When one of the biography channels did a tribute to him some months back, my mother was thrilled. She doesnt see well,but she recognized his voice immediately! I plan to add several more recordings to her collection shortly. I remember watching his Christmas specials over the years,until he himself decided to retire when the powers that be decided NOT to do them live, and wanted to tape them in the summer. Not a really smart move. The last one we saw was Christmas in Ireland. Although,he preferred the ballads, we always got a kick out of the novelty songs,and of course who could forget "Manners the butler" on his television show always razzing him. Wonder if any of them will be available on video? We'll miss him and his music, but are glad he is at peace. And of course there are all those wonderful recordings!

My parents introduced me to "Mr. C" when we got our first television set, his Christmas specials were always a must(even if they weren't filmed at Christmas, and when my dad passed away

all I had to tell our organist was that I wanted the "Perry Como version" of Ave Maria sung at his funeral. Am I a fan,oh, yes. I bought this wonderful boxed set for my mother on Cassette for Christmas several years ago.(Guess I am going to have to spring for the Cds too.This is a super collection of his work. We shall miss him very much, but will have this collection and more to remember him by. I really enjoy his religious recording above all the rest,but "Hot diggity" and "Round and round" are right up there too. And of course "It's impossible". It really IS impossible to replace this wonderful man who has given us so many hours of enjoyment. May God Bless him!!!

Like most baby-boomers,I grew up watching Perry Como on TV and listening to his music. He has a relaxed, breezy style and all the hits are here; except for his wonderful Christmas music which should give you the incentive to pick up those on cd as well. You'll enjoy this collection for years to come.