Customer Reviews

The New Christmas Album

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

 

 

This is an excellent cd to pick for Christmas time to enjoy year after year. It is taken from a live performance from Andy's Moon River Theatre which was shown on PBS in 1993 and features highlights from the show. This was the first time I had actually listened to an Andy Williams Christmas album and he manages to bring a special warmth to the season and long after with his magical voice. This cd features a new (1993) Christmas song "Christmas needs love to be Christmas". The Osmond brothers show up for a medley along with Lorrie Morgan to make this cd a must.

This is a live album and it just doesn't have the nostalia of some
of his other Christmas albums, but thanks for trying Andy and it
adds a little variety to the other albums.

Andy Williams has always had a wonderful light tenor voice for popular (not really pop) music. This was recorded live at his Moonriver theater in Branson Missouri. His voice is a bit aged from its very best in the sixties, but it is still quite good. Williams shows us what he is capable of today and puts on a very fine Christmas show. He has some guest singers with him included the Osmond Brothers (whom he helped launch on his television show way back when).

He opens with his signature song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". It is a delightful piece and a perfect way to set the tone for what follows. He has a variety of pieces, some light ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), some sacred ("O Holy Night". He even has an audience sing along for some traditional sacred carols.

Williams also reads the famous Jimmy Bishop piece recounting how Jesus, basically a nothing as far as the world is concerned, has transformed the world more than all the armies, navies, philosophers, kings, or Presidents. Nice touch.

A fine addition to your Christmas disk collection and a very nice choice to have filling your home with Christmas joy.

Andy Williams is certainly one of the finest classical singing showmen. He'll never be the legend that Frank Sinatra is, but his smooth, enthusiastic voice and pleasing demeanor are unmatched when it comes to putting an audience at their ease.

This Christmas album is a prime example. It consists of many traditional carols in their usual way. If you shy away from the more "contemporary" Christmas music - the kind which may incorporate rap, R&B, electric guitars, etc. - this is a sure-to-please purchase. Andy Williams also sings a couple of original songs including, "Christmas Needs Love to Be Christmas".

Lorrie Morgan and the Osmond Brothers bring some wonderful harmonies about halfway through the album...as well as a few corny jokes (but the good music makes up for that). If you remember the Sweeny Sisters comedy/music act from Saturday Night Live (during the mid-late 80s), the jokes are about on that level.

But it's still a great Christmas album well worth buying. It's certain to compliment any Christmas music collection.

I am a Christmas Music fan! I simply love all the songs and the feeling it creates. This record is no exception.

The Andy Williams Christmas Album is perfect for anyone who grew up watching his television Christmas specials. While his age does show a bit in these recordings, his heartfelt phrasing and attention to dynamics as they pertain to the lyrics and arrangement are still top notch. And he is still able to hold a note with quality and feeling.

I have heard countless attempts at good Christmas albums. I must say that this Andy Williams cd is unparallel. He truly is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas singer ever. He has a fantastic voice and his guests on the cd just compliment his music that much more. Definitely worth buying.