Andy Williams - Treasures From My Personal Collection (31 tracks) +Album Reviews

A Genuine Treasure

07/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a find! Fans of the great Andy Williams will swoon when they hear these wonderful tracks. They are live recordings from his TV variety show (according to the Concord Records website) which aired in the 60's and early 70's. These are all first-rate performances which find Andy at his vocal zenith. It's amazing in these days of cut-and-paste studio recordings, "superstars" who can barely carry a tune, and concerts where lipsynching is an accepted practice, to hear this man's seemingly effortless crooning in front of a live audience. He has a fantastic tone, perfect pitch, and beautiful, sensitive phrasing (particulary on ballads). The song selection is a mixture of old faves like "Charade" (done in an uptempo, jazzy arrangement), "Dear Heart", and of course "Moon River", and classic standards like "Do Nothin Till You Hear From Me" and "Alfie" with a few groovy-at-the-time pop hits like "Call Me" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". There is the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous version of "If Ever I Would Leave You" I have EVER heard. I'd give the sound quality a B+. The backgrounds are somewhat compressed sounding (due, I'm sure, to the technical limits of the time), but the vocals are clear, rich and warm. My one complaint is that the version of "On The Street Where You Live" seems to be the studio version. Why this was included I don't know. But in any case, it's a minor point in this stellarcollection from this great vocalist. It's a shame that Andy hasn't really gotten the acclaim from the present-day critics that he so richly deserves. He may be more pop-oriented than Sinatra, Mel Torme or the ubiquitous Tony Bennett, but for my money he is one of the greatest male singers ever. And if you are a fan, you will not be disappointed in this CD set. ENJOY!!"

ANDY hits a home run

Kelly R. Mix | salem, oregon USA | 08/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can be said about Andy Williams that millions around the world don't already know? Emmy award winning television personality, Grammy nominated singer, award winning personality, and magical performer. WOW, how great to discover all over again what a truely great singer he is---yes is, not was. This collection gives us Andy as he was in the 60's and 70's, but it also gives us a rare chance to hear Andy Live, just as he was in his sold out tour of England, Scotland, and Ireland earlier this year---and just like he will be this fall at his own Moon River Theatre in Branson. Rather your an old fan of Andy's or just discovering him, this is a great introduction to ANDY----LIVE!"

Great collections of Williams' VERY BEST....

Bill Kelly | MN, USA | 05/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would put Andy Williams in the same league as Perry Como and Tony Bennett. All three artists came out of the fifties and sixties as crooners of an era that was dominated by Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. Then, rock-and-roll leaders, such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles came along, and the era of the crooner started to disappear. Here, Williams puts his VERY BEST live performances on CD. My all-time favorites of his are "Corcovado - Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" (Sarah Vaughan does another impressive version of this song, too), "Moon River", "Charade", "Meditation" (he does this song better than Sinatra's collaboration with Antonio Jobim), "Almost There", "Dear Heart", and "Call Me". This is the type of album to play in front of the grandparents - watch them say "wow, they don't sing them like that anymore"! GRADE: A"

The best album available from Andy Williams!

Jay Manaway | San Francisco, CA United States | 11/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has the most wonderful feeling of any of his albums. If you have never bought an AW album before and want to try out a lighter, carefree version of Andy Williams, then this is the album for you, especially the arrangments and the song "Call Me". If this CD doesn't make you throw a Martini Party I don't know what will!!!!! This is his best and most delightful ever, buy it you won't regret it. Much Love Jay Manaway."

Andy Williams Raw, Real, and Rare

Jeffrey Taylor | Dalhart, Tx. United States | 07/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who grew up watching Andy Williams on television know his live performances rate second to none. These treasures from his personal collection represent the epitome of every crooner's effort. In fact, most crooners fit into one of three mass produced styles: pretty boys with sweet voices; operatic with a tinge of the informal; the down on his luck barroom loser who, with graveled voice, begs Joe for one more shot of courage. Andy Williams fits none of these styles. He dwells in a category all his own, far above the standard crooner.Andy not only sings a song, he interprets it. He swings with "Charade," prays in "Danny Boy," and shouts to the universe when he asks, "Who Can I Turn To?" Andy also reveals to the world why Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson must be taken seriously as song writers. He captures the essence of McCartney's sadness in "Yesterday" and the beauty of a lover's plea in Wilson's "God Only Knows."Then there's the technique. Andy's singing techniques and style defy comprehension. He never breathes. He moves back and forth from falsetto to natural voice without a crack. His microphone presence keeps the listener mesmerized. Andy needs no sound technician. He personally manipulates the mike to get the sound he desires. He belts out notes and backs off without a hitch. All the while, in Johnny Carson's words, "He makes it look so easy."Anyone who listens to "Andy Williams Live" will come back to it again and again, each time walking away with a song on their lips, a spring in their step, and a smile on their face."

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