To You Sweetheart Aloha

Andy Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00005N8VU
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,736 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. To You Sweetheart, Aloha

2. Blue Hawaii

3. I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You

4. Sweet Leilani

5. The Moon of Manakoora

6. The Hawaiian Wedding Song

7. Song of the Islands

8. A Song of Old Hawaii

9. Love Song of Kalua

10. Beyond the Reef

11. Kalua

12. Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee)

13. Blue Hawaii [*]

14. Sweet Lelani [*]

15. Love Letters in the Sand [*]

16. House of Bamboo [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tropical background sounds from an easy listening stalwart, August 31, 2001

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To You Sweetheart Aloha (Audio CD)

Williams' 1958 release for Cadence pairs the balladeering Andy Williams with romantically arranged songs of The Islands. The lush, string-filled charts are more akin to Webley Edwards' "Hawaii Calls" than the jazz-tinged exotica productions of Martin Denny that have recently been in favor with lounge music revivalists. Cadence owner/producer Archie Bleyer used a standard orchestra and Hawaiian-themed arrangements, rather than actual Hawaiian instruments and players, to provide a tranquil, easy listening backing for these erstwhile exotic tunes.

In many ways, the somnambulism that results from this mix is a template for vocal background music. Unlike the instrumental productions that dominate the exotica revival, vocal background music is a trickier proposition. On the one hand, the lyrics should be audible, and the singers should be able to ply their emotional craft; on the other, the productions, as a whole, should be able to fade willingly into the background. Williams and Bleyer strike a good balance, with Williams controlled vocals and Bleyer's arrangements providing enough content to withstand a foreground airing, but with a smoothness that allows for passive listening at atmospheric volumes.

Those familiar with Williams' best known hits (e.g., "Can't Get Used to Losing You" "Moon River") won't find performances here that pack such haunting, emotional punches. The charm here is distinctly more subtle, as befits background music. The one chart success from this LP, a rendition of "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," was lifted from Williams' earlier "Two Time Winners" LP, and two other titles from that earlier LP ("Blue Hawaii" and "Sweet Leilani") were re-recorded for this album. The earlier versions are included as bonus tracks, along with a single, "House of Bamboo."

Liner notes from elevator music expert Joseph Lanza provide an introduction to the album and background on the era in which it was produced, and combined with the bonus cuts and fresh remastering from the original 2-track tapes, this issue is a step up from the version available from the Collectibles label. Fans of Williams' stellar voice and controlled style will no doubt enjoy this turn at Hawaiian melodies.

3-1/2 star, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.

5.0 out of 5 stars Andy Williams, March 8, 2009

By 

Robert H. Sharp "Bob" (Homedale, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To You Sweetheart Aloha (Audio CD)

I had the record album and just bought the CD. The music is great!
Fast service and a great product!