Customer Reviews

Paul Willams - A&M Greatest Hits

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First the track listing: 1.Waking Up Alone 2.We've Only Just Begun 3.An Old Fashioned Love Song 4.That's Enough For Me 5.A Perfect Love 6.Let Me Be The One 7.I Won't Last A Day Without You 8.Out In The Country 9.The Lady Is Waiting 10.Traveling Boy 11.You And Me Against The World 12.Rainy Days And Mondays 13.Inspiration 14.The Family Of Man 15.A Little Bit Of Love 16.Loneliness 17.Nice To Be Around (From The Film "Cinderella Liberty") 18.Time And Tide 19.Bugsy Malone (From The Film: "Bugsy Malone") 20.Ordinary Fool (From The Film: "Bugsy Malone") 21.Old Souls (From The Film: "Phantom Of The Paradise") 22.Evergreen (From The Film: "A Star Is Born")

Throughout the 1970's Paul Williams was much in demand both as a songwriter and a singer. Many of the songs on this collection you will recognise as having been recoded by such tallents as the Carpenters, Three Dog Night, Art Garfunkel, Helen Reddy and Barbra Streisand.

For me 'covers' are all very well...but give me the originals any day...particularly when the singer is Paul Williams. His voice evokes such emotion and with songwriting partners such as Roger Nichols and Kenny Ascher on board, and the production tallents of the likes of Michael James Jackson, Kenny Ascher and Paul himself you are sure of some great productions.

From the early days of We've Only Just Begun, and my favorite That's Enough For Me, to the evokative Evergreen this collection will take you to romantic parts other artists only touch on.

What is missing from this collection...there is so much more...from the 1979 album 'A Little On The Windy Side'...to the wonderful 1997 album 'Back To Love Again'...to what is still to come in the 21st Centurty from this master of the romantic song.

Enjoy..I know I did...

this man is able, without massive or complex sounds behind him, to evoke feelings guaranteed to break your heart. perhaps it is the pure simplicity of his delivery. the emotions continue into the more upbeat cuts, and i guarantee you it would be extremely hard to sit still to them---and if you can do that, i bet you will at least smile. this cd is a walk through a lot of history for many of us.

Paul Williams A&M Greatest Hits brings back memories of a time long past. This music is as relevent today as in the 1970's. It's so easy to listen to Paul's songs. No one writes like he did. No one sounds like he does... his hautingly beautiful voice draws you into his emotions. It's love personified, you feel the strength and anguish of his love. The instrumentation lifts the music to a level not heard on the todays radio. As a new collector of Paul Williams music, or just adding to a collection, this albumn gives a great performance!

A&M Greatest Hits is the ultimate collection of Paul Williams music. He does his songs better than anyone else can. His lyrics are awsome & his voice is perfect for everything he writes. Everyone needs a copy of this cd. I've loved Paul Williams since "Here Comes Inspiration" came out on an album back in the 70's. If you've never experienced Paul Williams, this cd is a good place to start.

I really like Paul Williams and this is a great cd. I really enjoyed it:)

Paul is as wonderful to listen to in 2004 as he was in the 70's..I only wish all of the CD's came in audio cassetts as well! Not all of us can have CD players in our cars....thanks!

QUICK, Snatch this up before it's gone forever! Thank You Amazon for making this available for us Paul Williams fans everywhere. That said, this is the most comprehensive collection out there of Paul Williams songs. In order to get ALL these gems you'd have to buy a half dozen CD's. Yes the price is hefty but since this CD has been discontinued, a Williams aficionado has to do what a Williams aficionado has to do. You won't regret it.
There are 22 of the best songs ever written anywhere, ALL available here on one CD. A great retrospective of Paul's A&M years, not to mention, some of the greatest songs of the 70's - PERIOD! Lets face it, Paul is not a great singer but his voice lends a tenderness and delicateness that touches your heart & soul like no other. Regardless if he's singing a tender love song like 'Waking Up Alone', 'Let Me Be The One You Run To' or 'I Won't Last A Day Without You', a campy, dixieland jazz ditty like 'Inspiration', a pounding rocker like 'Family of Man' or the melancholy of 'Rainy Days & Mondays'. I'm only sorry they didn't include 'Rainbow Connection' here. And, lets not forget the king of all wedding songs included here. A song that's been played at more weddings than any other song on the planet, 'We've Only Just Begun'.
Hands down though, 'That's Enough For Me' is my absolute favorite. I have never heard so much beauty & honesty from a man telling his woman that if he could make her smile or laugh, bring her small pleasures, and after facing the world that gets him down, still he 'finds comfort in her waiting, hellos and goodbyes'. Ah well, that would be enough for him. He paints a glorious picture in words & music when he speaks of a lover lying in bed, feeling the others gaze as he pretends to be asleep. I dare anyone to listen to this song and not be touched to the core. If you're honest, you might even say it brought a tear to your eye.
That's the art, the power & versatility of Paul Williams song writing ability. He writes songs you can honestly relate to, nostalgic songs, songs that characterize life, songs that lift you up making you feel good, and as I said, songs that'll touch both your heart & soul. Does it get any better than that? NAH!

Many people are not aware of how gifted a composer Paul is. So many famous singers have recorded his songs. I had some of his music on cassette, but needed a CD to play when I am driving in my mini-van.