Customer Reviews

Andy Williams: The Best of Andy Williams' Christmas

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For anyone who grew up watching the annual Andy Williams Christmas Shows (or his other TV shows)or someone who just loves Christmas music wonderfully sung, this is a MUST HAVE DVD.All the favorite Christmas songs are presented with vocals by Andy, his brothers, the Osmond Brothers and other members of the family (remember the cookie bear? I'd forgotten this fun character until I watched this DVD). It is simply a joyous celebration of Christmas music and holiday fun.

The main section of the DVD runs about an hour, then there are great bonus sections running almost another hour - one devoted to the Osmonds that is worth the price of the DVD alone. There is an indepth "Up Close and Personal" interview with Andy himself intercutting songs and other sections of the shows and a section devoted to "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", a song written for Andy's show that has now become a holiday standard. These special features make this a very special recording.

It is also great fun to watch the Osmonds and Andy's own children grow through the various numbers from different years.

They just don't show programs like this on TV anymore and this great DVD makes a person wish they did.

A thoroughly enjoyable reminder of the Andy Williams Christmas Show.

Although these highlights run to slightly under an hour, the extras (which show loads more from the shows) are just as enjoyable. This is the first DVD I have had where I have enjoyed the extras as much as the main program.

I would still like to see some complete unedited programs though.

If your answer is "yes", then this VHS is for you. It features clips of musical numbers from the Andy Williams Christmas TV specials from the late 60's and early 70's. All the 19 clips are in full color. The sets and costumes are wonderfully colorful. It's as if a christmas card has come to life! All of this with the smooth voice of Andy Williams singing his Christmas classics. The quality of the clips are surprisingly good considering how old they are.
Joining Andy on some musical numbers are the Osmond brothers, the Williams brothers, and one duet with his former wife Claudine Longet. On several of the solo numbers are backup dancers/singers all beautifully costumed.
THE SONGS:
Solo- Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White Christmas, You meet the Nicest People, What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, Skater's Waltz, Some Children See Him, The Christmas Song, Ave Maria, Moonlight In Vermont, Sleigh Ride, Mary's Boy Child, Village of St. Bernadette, It's Christmas, Silent Night, O Holy Night, and May Each Day.

With the Osmond Brothers- It's a Holiday Season and Silver Bells

With the Williams Brothers- Jingle Bells and I'll Be Home for Christmas

With Claudine Longet- My Favorite Things

Only one complaint, they could have left out one corny skit that involves a man in a bear costume, it's out of place among the musical numbers. But it is thankfully brief.

Other than that it's a great VHS for fans of retro, fans of Andy, fans of Classic TV, and anyone who loves old fashioned sentimental Christmas programs.

This video offers highlights of the annual Christmas shows (televised during the 1960's/early 1970's) featuring Andy Williams, his siblings (known as the Williams Brothers) and the Osmond Brothers. The performances (by today's standards) and stage sets are simple, but the exuberance and joy of the music is wonderful! I'm old enough (age 41) to only "barely" remember the Andy Williams Christmas shows and I certainly don't remember any of these performances. The most enjoyable songs are the performances by the Williams Brothers and the Osmonds (both as the original quartet and when Donny joined the group in the late '60's). The barbershop harmonies of both groups (particulary the Osmonds) are a treat for the eyes and ears; it depicts what very talented human beings are capable of doing. This tape evoked two emotions and responses in me: first, it leaves the viewer/listener hungry for more (it's obvious that more performances of similar quality could have been included) and, second, you can't watch this tape without shaking your head wondering why vocal "entertainment" in our culture today can't be like this anymore. Is there any young talent out there today with the capabilities that the early Osmond Brothers had? If there were, would Hollywood even acknowledge them?...or do you have to be vulgar to record these days?

This tape is a capsule of an era that SURELY is long gone; I only wish that it can could back once again! Entertaining from beginning to end!

Our new Christmas family favorite. This DVD was even better than I hoped! The quality was great ~ clear picture and sound. It was fun to see and hear Andy's stories and the selection of songs and scenes was the best! More, I want more!! My particular favorites were of Andy and his brothers. Their harmonies were beautiful. The special features were great too, especially "up close and personal" and "the Osmonds". I grew up watching and listening to Andy Williams and now my 2 and 4 year olds can enjoy him too. In fact, they love this DVD as much as I do.

The other customer reviews encapsulate nicely the highlights of this DVD which centers on Andy's terrific voice, the harmonies of the Williams Brothers, and the undeniable charm of the Osmond Brothers. The DVD renders the VHS obsolete due to the inclusion of an extra hour's worth of great material, highlighted by extra Osmond Brothers Christmas performances. Andy mentions on the DVD that the Osmonds performed on his variety show an average of ten times per year during the 1960's - a collection of these performances should be released!! A similar VHS tape entitled "Happy Holidays - the best of the Andy Williams Christmas Shows" (shown exclusively on PBS and not commercially available) contains much of this material, although not all. That tape features additional Osmond performances (and unedited) not included anywhere on this DVD - which would constitute the only negative in an otherwise priceless collection of Christmas memories!

So many memories of Andy Williams' Christmas Shows were revived! His Christmas Shows were the best! I love the Victorian settings, the all-one-color outfits, and even Andy on skates is fun to watch! The Williams Brothers and Osmond Brothers sing so beautifully together. Would like to see an additional (Volume 2) DVD! The "extra" part was very interesting and entertaining as well! Thank you Mr. Williams for your never-ending Christmas spirit!

I am a big Andy Williams fan. I had taped the Andy Williams Christmas Show off of our local PBS station last year. I tell you what, it was teriffic!!!.

We recently had the pleasure of seeing Andy Williams perform his live Christmas show in Branson, MO. He's as good now as he was in his younger days. Still a really nice guy! Recommend the video highly and if you get a chance, go see him perform live.

I'm 49 years old and I was one of the younger people at his Christmas show this year (2006). I won't go into how I wound up at Branson Missouri, but I'll say this - Andy Williams is a freakin' force of nature. He's older now, but his voice and stage presence is increadible. I'm so thankful I got to see him live. This DVD is just great. It is the next best thing to being there. I'm well pleased with my purchase and definitely recomend it to anyone!