Customer Reviews

The Williams Brothers: Andy & David

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Anyone who longs for happy 20th century memories and appreciates perfectly blended harmony will love this CD, which couldn't have been released at a better time, so thanks to all who made it possible, especially Andy and David. If you first met them in Tiger Beat, if you were moved by "Can't Cry Hard Enough" or if you were completely amazed by Harmony Hotel (I want to be buried with that CD!) you won't want to miss this unreleased material. Harmony Hotel fans will notice that none of these songs were written by Andy or David, however, thier versions of classics such as "It Hurts To Be In Love" and "Cathy's Clown" are most impressive. Partridge Family Fans will recall the episode where Andy and David both fell in love with Laurie, and the song they performed "Say It Again" is on this CD. A sensitive lyric "Every Other Sunday" explores the break up of a family from the perspective of a teenage boy, "Secretly" radiates pain and yearning for a romance that cannot yet be revealed, all delivered with the expert blend of vocals that we loved when we first met Andy & David almost thirty years ago. And Andy, please don't wait until you are 66 to put out some more music (as is written in the liner notes)! Music, especially that of which these men are capable of creating is a powerful healing tool which is so needed in this day and age. Buy this CD and be reunited with not only a happier time period, but two beloved old friends!

Long-time "Tiger Beat" and "16" readers may remember the Williams Brothers' as early '70s teen-idols. Their periodical popularity led to two producer-constructed albums, and a guest shot on the Partridge Family, during which they fought for Laurie Partridge's affection and sang their then-current B-side, "Say it Again." At age sixteen they dropped out, reconstructed themselves as backing musicians for T-Bone Burnett, The Plimsouls, and others, and re-emerged with music of their own making, including the 1992 hit "Can't Cry Hard Enough."

Varese winds the clock back to 1974 with this previously unreleased third album, originally recorded for their uncle Andy Williams' Barnaby label. Three singles were issued from these sessions, including a barely-charting cover of Don & Juan's "What's Your Name," before the project was shelved amid label turmoil and the twins' declining interest in teen fame. What remained in the vault, in addition to a few more oldies covers, was some superb mid-70s sunshine pop.

The opener, "Sha-La-La, " is the bubblegum hit that never was, forever missing its chance to be perpetually anthologized with "Sugar Sugar" and other such confections. Producer Michael Lloyd (who would go on to work with David and Shaun Cassidy as well as Leif Garrett) provided the summertime jug-band "Roll River" and the Eric Carmen-y "Let Me Love You." Though several songs were written rather blatantly to tug adolescent female heartstrings -- the forbidden romance of "Secretly" and divorce-inspired teen angst of "Every Other Sunday" -- they still harbor considerable, albeit calculated, charms. The closer, originally waxed by Elton John's original drummer's teenage son (Maldwyn Pope, for those keeping track), "I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye," is a beautifully crafted orchestral pop ballad.

As one of the year's least anticipated vault-discoveries, this album is also one the year's freshest finds: a mint-in-box, new-old-stock time-capsule of the mid-70s lightest side. All that's missing from this CD release is a full-color pull-out poster and the fan club address.

These songs sound great and superb in a multi-disc Cd Player along with Greatest Hits cds by Andy Kim, Partridge Family, Lobo, The Archies, Tommy Roe, Jackson 5(from that era) at "Random Play"...but, where is ANDY & DAVID's Hot 100 Chart hit, "FLY AWAY PRETTY BABY"? It should have been included here! PLEASE don't miss out on their 1990's cds! B/T/W...those other artists mentioned are great too! There is room and affection for all types of music!

As someone who was one friend's with David, and who was teased for being the only person, aside from their mother who owned everything they'd ever released, this CD comes as a joyous surprise. Now I truly own all that they have released. The harmony is amazing. The sound, for their age, is brilliant. The CD brings to mind their Las Vegas shows of that same era. I agree with the other reviewers who (a) would like to be buried, if I were to be buried, with Harmony Hotel; and (b) Andy, don't wait until you are 66 to release new work. Thank you David for introducing the red-haired girl to the BMW 2002. Make more movies while you're at it!

This cd is excellent. The brothers always had the best harmony and the nicest sounding voices I have ever heard. I was a fan when I was a kid and today I'm still a fan and love their music. Their all AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++ to me.

Were it not for the reruns of the "Partridge Family" episode they appeared in, these talented brothers would've been TOTALLY forgotten until their '90s comeback. Fortunately, they weren't, and the same went for "Say It Again", the song they performed on the show; it could've been a hit were it not for the abrupt ending of their "teen idol" status. It would take until 2002 for their "last gasp" to breathe new life when Varese Sarabande issued what was called their 1974 "lost" album, including the Hot 100 hit "What's Your Name", "Say It Again" and eleven other tracks consisting of originals and covers. THAT CD is now out-of-print; however, those who missed out on the Varese CD (and may not want to pay a higher price for a collectible copy) now have the option of this MP3 download (put out in 2007) to listen to this should've-been-released LP....Why Barnaby used the older image of Andy and David instead of a photo that was closer to their actual age at the time [when they recorded these songs] is a moot point (the Varese cover belongs to Varese); it's the music that matters. The album as a whole is more cohesive than the cream-of-crop LPs of Bobby Sherman, the Osmonds, (yes) the Partridge Family, and so on; the "filler" doesn't FEEL like "filler" thanks to the arrangements. In an alternate reality, ALMOST all of this album could've been released as singles...if the brothers had NO competition, that is! These guys had the chops, but they got lost in the shuffle of the many '70s "teen idol" singers, especially the ones who had better agents (to compensate for their studio-doctored voices that STILL weren't so hot after all the engineers' efforts)! Sadly, the lesser talents often won out--some aided and abetted by disco--but not for very long....Listening to the samples ALONE should convince the prospective buyer that they're no mere pretty faces. This "time capsule" from 1974 may outlive anything done by the hot commodities of today (I'm talkin' to YOU, Jonas Brothers!), if only by substance (versus flash and volume)....A good buy; it EXCEEDED my expectations! Could we PLEASE have more of this COOL stuff from the vaults? We can only hope....All the best, Brother Fang.

Although the Williams Bros. "Andrew & David" did not achieve mega stardom in the mid 70's they did seem to have the talent if they wanted to do so! This unreleased '1974 album is a must have if you were a fan of theirs or just into feel good pop music of that era, either way Varese Vintage has very well put together a total package and delivers the goods with this 13 song Compact Disc interesting faqs with liner notes and a few photo's of the Twins! includes the song "Say It Again" as they perfomed on the retro classic episode of the Partridge Family the same year this album was suppose to be released. It's not quite as technical as their later 80's and 90's material but it's still worth the purchase!