Customer Reviews

Andy Williams - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Priced right, but you'd be better off spending a little extra to get one of his other "greatest hits" CDs. This one has many of his best songs, but they are in medley-like form (something which you wouldn't know from the play list). All of the movie songs, for example, are contained in one track. This makes it difficult to access individual songs. Also, be aware that this is a live recording, and there is a lot of talking before some of the songs.

Live albums are typically full of imperfections, and Andy Williams has always been a recording studio perfectionist. Thus, for him to record his first American live album (his only other live album was recorded in Japan in 1974) meant venturing outside his comfort zone. But he needn't have worried, for his performances were top-notch for this soundtrack of a 1994 PBS special from his Branson, Missouri theater.

With his unmistakable voice still in excellent form, it's hard to believe that he originally recorded most of these songs more than 30 and 40 years ago. Yet the arrangements are fresh and satisfying. His range and control are very much intact on the demanding themes from "Love Story" and "The Godfather." His signature song, "Moon River," ends more dramatically than his 1962 original, thanks to a sweeping chart that composer Henry Mancini gave him in the late '60s. There's a big, brassy version of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" that Andy obviously enjoys belting out. Unlike his 1972 studio version of "MacArthur Park," the live version here also includes the first movement of the Jimmy Webb classic, with its soaring chorus. Another rare treat is a peppy medley ("medley" is misleading, for he performs each song in its entirety) of his 1950s Cadence hits, including his number one rockabilly single, "Butterfly."

This is a great introduction to perhaps the most underrecognized singer of his generation. Perhaps I should mention another reason for enjoying this album so much: I penned the liner notes.

This applies to CD Number 12 351.

Amazon's list of tracks overlooks #5, the 50s Medley (Butterfly, Are You Sincere, I Like Your Kind of Love, Lonely Street, In the Summertime.

These are not the original versions of his hits. I've heard some artists that still sound good as time progresses, but this album was a complete disappointment. Having many of Andy's previous albums, I suggest one look for earlier work. Live recordings also seldom rival the original versions. I wish I had not purchased this one!

From 1994 we have a rare Live performace from the great Andy Williams. This album not only showed that the 60 something Andy could still hit the high notes (just listen to Love Story) but that he could still swing. Also of note is that this was recorded live for PBS as a television special titles "Andy Williams: In Concert At Branson. I strongly suggest watching the video and geting the full deal on this. WONDERFUL to see Andy still going strong.

This is a really good album for any Andy Williams fan. It includes his more popular and most beloved songs like "Moon River," and "Born Free." I'd give it ten stars if I could.
It's a really beautiful album.