Andy Williams - The Andy Williams Christmas Album
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Free Music Notes for The Andy Williams Christmas Album
Free Music Review: One of the best Xmas albums; how about more with Wms. Bros?
Hit: 5 Stars
"The Andy Williams Christmas Album" is a great collection -- no question about it. If you like Christmas music and don't have it, buy it right now. I'm only sorry that I didn't hear it until this excellent-sounding remastered version came out in 2004, when I bought it on a whim. It's undoubtedly one of the best CDs in our 200-album Christmas collection, and one that we play often during the holidays.
But in case someone (even Andy himself) is reading this and wants an idea for another Christmas album, I just want to second the previous reviewer's call for an album with Andy joined by his brothers on holiday classics.
I was extremely impressed by the Williams Brothers' harmonizing on the aforementioned Andy Williams Christmas DVD, and would love to hear more. How about putting out a CD with recordings from those very 1960s Christmas shows?
I happened to catch the very young Andy and his brothers in a 1940s movie called "Janie" on TCM recently, and they were extremely good. Unfortunately, it seems almost impossible to find anything by the group on CD. (I believe they provided backing vocals on Bing Crosby's hit, "Swinging on a Star," but that's the only appearance I know of by the Williams Brothers on CD.)
Anyway, to get back to the album at hand, "The Andy Williams Christmas Album" is, without question, one of the very best in the holiday genre. Despite what the Amazon.com reviewer says, Andy's voice is far better than just "average," and both the song selections and the arrangements here are topnotch.
"Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" is a particular favorite of mine -- when I first heard it, I was amazed at how much it reminded me of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, a very solid, driving arrangement that grabs you and never lets go. (Andy and his brothers performed in Ms. Thompson's nightclub act early in their career.)
And you can't go wrong with any of the other performances on this album. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is certainly the best recording of this wonderful song, and Andy's versions of oft-heard songs like "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" are among the finest. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is given a very creative arrangement that turns a usually long and somewhat tedious song into an entertaining treasure. (Listen for the bass voice of Thurl Ravenscroft, better known for his singing in the original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas.") Not a bad cut on this album -- in fact, all are great.
This album is a classic that belongs in the collection of everyone who loves Christmas music.
Free Music Review: Where are Andy's Bro's????
Hit: 5 Stars
Still one of the best Christmas CD's ever but where are the tracks of Andy singing with his brothers? They're featured on his "Best of Christmas" video but nowhere on a CD. A great quartet and they deserve a holiday CD. Free Music Review: it just isn't Christmas without Andy's holiday music
Hit: 5 Stars
I always love to hear Christmastime songs; and when Andy Williams sings them it's special, to say the least! Andy's voice is in excellent form on this album; he sounds fantastic and just one listen proves it. This CD will be an excellent addition to your music collection if you don't have it already; every track's a winner and there's not a dud in the bunch! The quality of the sound on this CD is perfect; and I like that artwork, too.
The CD starts with Andy performing "White Christmas;" his rendition is heavenly and he never falters, either! The backup singers harmonize to perfection--not that Andy really needed backup, but they do sound good anyway. Andy makes this somewhat melancholy song shine bright with his passionate delivery--great! In addition, "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" stuns me with its beauty; Andy sings this without letting go of a superfluous note and that's grand. The percussion enhances the musical arrangement and the strings are also very pretty as Andy performs this song.
"It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" gets a very spirited treatment from Andy and his colleagues; this is easily a major highlight of this album. Andy does great justice to this ballad and he does it flawlessly--what a terrific number! "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" has something of a classic Vegas--style arrangement to it; this dynamic tune glows brighter than silver and gold combined when Andy and the others do this one up right! The music is wonderful; but wisely the musicians never try to steal the show away from Andy--he remains squarely front and center which is right where he belongs! There's some mighty fine harmonizing from some backup singers, too.
"The First No?l" charms me with its beauty; this classic Christmas song gets a wonderful interpretation from Andy. He delivers this with grace and all his heart and soul which is how it should be for a song like this one. Excellent! The strings add to the natural beauty of "The First No?l," too. Listen also for Andy to outdo even himself on "O Holy Night;" this is another timeless Christmas song that is always beautiful and easy on the ear. Wow, how Andy Williams sings this well!
"Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is another major highlight of this album; and when you hear Andy sing this ballad there'll be no doubt about it! "The Little Drummer Boy" features Andy singing with a children's chorus; they all do this wonderfully. The album ends very nicely with Andy Williams performing "Silent Night." "Silent Night" showcases Andy's superb talent as he sings this to perfection--and beyond! "Silent Night" also uses a children's chorus to make this tune even more poignant.
Andy Williams will always be one of the best male vocalists we have ever seen. He has an incredible ability to sing just about anything he wanted to sing, all the while making each and every musical number extra special. I highly recommend this Christmas album to his fans if they don't have it already; and people who want an excellent CD of classic holiday music will not be disappointed. Moreover, Andy still gives concerts--catch him in concert if you can!
Free Music Review: a classic, a favorite
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is a Christmas classic in our household...we've had it on vinyl, tape, and now CD. Great collection of holiday songs; timeless tradition. Not too sleepy, not too loud, Andy Williams voice is perfectly mellow...and "A Song and a Christmas Tree" is the best version of "12 Days of Christmas" ever made. Fabulous for background music while opening Christmas presents, during a holiday party, or singing along with in the car driving around looking at Christmas lights. Free Music Review: Andy at his prime!
Hit: 5 Stars
Andy Williams has distinguished himself as a Christmas music standard, and I belive this to be his best collection ever. I grew up spinning this on 33 1/3 speed until we wore the vinyl out. After getting a newer release of his with more Christmas music on it, I realized this was the one I really wanted. His heart-tugging rendition of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and the Williams family version of "Silent Night" are priceless!