When Perry Como Recorded “Kol Nidre”

This s the sixtieth anniversary of one of the most unusual, one of the most obscure, and one of the most significant moments in American cultural history.

I am referring, of course, to Perry Como’s recording of “Kol Nidre.”

Nostalgia warning: I am about to mention records. Record albums, to be exact. Ten inch LPs, to be even more precise. (“Teach this diligently unto thy children…..”)

In 1953, the popular singer Perry Como recorded an album of traditional religious hymns. The album was called “I Believe,” and it was subtitled “Songs of all Faiths Sung by Perry Como.” It was released in a ten-inch LP format on RCA Victor Records in November, 1953 – exactly sixty years ago. “>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTufuWn3jv8Neil Diamond sang “Kol Nidre” in the 1984 remake of “The Jazz Singer.” “>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGJ4WS1h9YI

And, then in the category of obscure musical renditions of sacred texts: in 1968, an all-but-completely forgotten British rock band, The Electric Prunes recorded an album called “Release of an Oath.” It featured an English translation of Kol Nidre, with some semblance of the traditional melody. “>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YONAP39jVEAnd the rock band Phish, my sons hasten to remind me, performed the jazzed up folk version of “Avinu Malkheinu,”