Search - Perry Como & Fontane Sisters :: One More Time

Duets and solo recordings

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 06/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having already released a double CD of music by the Fontane sisters, Jasmine followed up by releasing this double CD mixing up some of their recordings that didn't make that collection, some of Perry Como's solo recordings and some music they recorded together.



The Fontane sisters (actually the Rosse sisters - Marge, Bea and Geri) got their big break when asked to provide vocals for a song that Perry was due to record, The pussycat song. On the strength of that recording (which became an American top twenty hit, but only just), the sisters were signed to Perry's label, RCA. For the next five years, they often joined Perry on his recordings as well as recording their own music.



Together, Perry Como and the Fontane sisters scored two American number one hits (A - you're adorable, Hoop-dee-doo) and two other American top five hits (A dreamer's holiday, You're just in love) along with several minor hits. The four big hits are all here as well as most of the minor hits. Two minor hits (With all my heart and soul, My love and devotion) are missing, but they only charted for one week each.



You won't find any of Perry's famous solo recordings (or even hits) here, although those included provide a fine showcase for his talents. Perhaps the most faamiliar song among them is Easter parade, which had been a hit for several other singers in the thirties and forties.



The solo recordings by the Fontane sisters include the few RCA tracks that didn't make Till Then together with some early recordings for Dot, the label to which they moved after leaving Perry Como and RCA.



This is an excellent collection of music from 1949 to the mid-fifties, which proves that there's plenty worth hearing away from the big hits and famous songs. It's easy to find those elsewhere."