Andy Williams - Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection (50 tracks) +Album Reviews

The definitive collection

R. Riis | NY | 09/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With all the Andy Williams compilations available it's nice to finally have one definitive collection. This 2-CD, 50-track, remastered set gathers all Andy's Columbia charted singles (not to be nitpicky but Williams' "White Christmas" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" charted high on Billboard's Top Christmas Singles in 1963 and 1965 respectively, but are not included), many of which appear here for the first time in stereo, and several of which appear here for the first time on CD. The compilers thoughtfully included his biggest "hit", "Moon River", even though it was never released as a single in the US, and an Italian-language version of "Can't Get Used to Losing You". Highly recommended."

Not Quite The First Round-Up Of Andy's Columbia Hits

G. M Theroux | Norwalk, CT United States | 05/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although this is a superb set, it is not quite as advertised: the first time all of Andy's Columbia chart singles have been rounded up in one collection. Over the years, Williams placed 45 entries of Billboard's Hot 100 charts on either the Cadence or Columbia labels. The first and ONLY time all 45 original recordings appeared in one collection was in 1995 -- in the 60-track, 3 CD box set "Andy Williams: His Greatest Hits & Finest Performances" (Reader's Digest 102C). I should know -- as I compiled and produced it! Unfortunately the Digest box set is currently out of print. At least now, though, we have the present 50-track collection -- although it does omit Andy's pre-Columbia gems (among them, "Butterfly," his only chart-topping single)."

At long last a comprehensive Andy Williams collection.

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 02/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lest we forget, Andy Williams was a major force in American popular music for nearly two decades. From 1956 through 1974, he placed over 40 singles on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Eight of these tunes made their way into the Top Ten. During those same years, Williams was a dominent force on the Album charts as well. He placed nearly 30 albums in the Top 100 and many of these albums remained on the charts for a year or more! Andy Williams was also the host of his own highly rated variety show on NBC for nearly a decade. Given his enormous popularity, I could never quite understand why Columbia Records failed to issue a collection worthy of his stature and accomplishment in the business. Oh, there were two "Greatest Hits" albums issued, but both were done with very little care.

Taragon Records has corrected this injustice with the carefully crafted two disc anthology "Andy Williams: The Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection". Indeed, this is a collection for Andy Williams fans to die for. This comprehensive package includes virtually every charted hit Williams had during his nearly two decades at Columbia Records. I enjoyed them all. As you might expect, you wil find all of Andy's biggest hits like "Moon River", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Dear Heart" and "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story". Meanwhile, I would recommend you give a listen to a few of Andy Williams lesser known singles including "One Day of Your Life", "A Song For You" as well as the rather obscure "Ain't It True" from 1965. I love that song and had not been able to find it anywhere at any price for nearly 40 years. I am pleased to report that the remastering job is first rate and that the set includes a thoughtful 12 page booklet featuring some wonderful photographs. All in all, "Andy Williams: The Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection" is definitely one of the finest anthologies I own. Kudos to the folks at Taragon records for a job well done. Very highly recommended!

"

Hands Down, The Greatest Vocalist Of All Time!

Paul Tognetti | 07/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an Andy Williams collector, I will say this is the Greatest CD available period. Listen to A Song For You, a personal favorite. Start with this CD and than move on to the Collectables Label, 40 album releases put on 20 CD's. Have Fun! Kevin Thomas"

A WONDEFUL COLLECTION OF ANDY'S BEST

Giovanni | Chicago, IL | 09/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andy Williams was once likened to martinis; either you like 'em or you dont. I like him just fine (but detest martinis!)
This wonderful collection of one of our times' best male vocalists of the easy listening genre is a great addition to your collection. Would love to see the good people at Taragon Records do something like this with the languishing catalog of Andy's fellow Columbia Records label mate, Tony Bennett, because they really put out a nice product. This 2CD set is no exception. From signature chestnuts of Andy's, such as his touching version of the well covered evergreen from the Emerald Isle, DANNY BOY, to the Mancini/Mercer masterpieces MOON RIVER and DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, as well as lesser known beauties (most of which are on CD AND IN STEREO for the very first time here) THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE YOUNG, LIVE AND LEARN, HOME LOVIN' MAN, ONE DAY OF YOUR LIFE, and SOLITAIRE, this set is full of great music. There are tunes here from Andy's jump into the crossover world, a move that both stunned and pleased music fans of all ages (sometimes simultaneously) Covers of the funky LOVE'S THEME (arranged by the immortal Don Costa)and Jimmy Webb's magnum opus MACARTHUR PARK, and the stirring James Last written MUSIC FROM ACROSS THE WAY (one of the few sides arranged and conducted for Andy by the underappreciated Ernie Freeman)are all here, and the recently renewed interest piece, MUSIC TO WATCH GIRLS BY, which swept the UK two years ago via a popular TV ad. Alternate versions of the lovely ALMOST THERE and a slightly more uptempo crack at the pretty SWEET MEMORIES are included here as well. Other standouts are of course, the movie themes (oh what Moon River did for Andy, huh? He always got first crack at the best movie songs!) LOVE STORY, SPEAK SOFTLY LOVE, and the never before released LOVE SAID GOODBYE (from The Godfather, Part II) Two very interesting additions are the inclusion of Andy's heartfelt recording of BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC, released as a single and recorded at Bobby Kennedy's funeral, as Andy paid tribute to his friend, the fallen Senator, and Andy's Italian version of CANT GET USED TO LOSING YOU, and, being Italian, I must say Andy does pretty good here! This is a wonderful collection and well worth the price."

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