Search - Andy Williams :: Days of Wine & Roses / In the Arms of Love

From Big Band to Bossa Nova Cool

Ben Alba | Chicago, IL | 03/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As this intriguing 2-on-1 pairing shows, Andy Williams is more than an easy-listening balladeer. "Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests" finds Williams adroitly tackling an array of musical styles showcased on his '60s NBC variety series. He captures jazzy, big band exuberance on splashy charts like "Falling in Love with Love" and "It's a Most Unusual Day." There's a frenetic, death-defyingly complex version of "You Are My Sunshine," featuring Williams in triple-tracked vocal harmony. The melancholy title cut, number two hit single "Can't Get Used to Losing You," and sentimental TV show closer, "May Each Day," all became Williams standards. This album sailed the charts for more than a year, perched at the number one spot for four months in 1963."In the Arms of Love" is an exceptional 1966 release. The first half features romantic ballads (including the Henry Mancini-penned title track) set against lush, string-filled backdrops -- perfect for the Williams purr. But the real gems of this album are the last six tracks, which get delightful bossa nova and samba treatments that compliment Andy's ultra-cool vocals perfectly. The congas on "A Man and a Woman" are a knockout, as is Dave Grusin's chic, uptempo arrangement of "All Through the Night." Because Williams' light touch is so well suited to this material, it is unfortunate that he did not devote an entire album to Brazilian-influenced material, as Sinatra did with Antonio Carlos Jobim (Williams and Jobim did record two Jobim tunes for Andy's 1966 "The Shadow of Your Smile" LP)."

A SOMEWHAT ANTICIPATED RELEASE...

Giovanni M. | Chicago, IL | 02/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Seems like two great companies are playing both ends from the middle; Sony UK and Collectables. Either company can be praised for their restoration of the original tapes, as the sound quality is second to none. Obviously Sony UK restores original liner notes, making for a more attractive package. However, this is one case where they can't put out a duplicate package; (Honey / Happy Heart, Call Me Irresponsible / My Fair Lady have been released as "twofers" by both companies) Sony UK already used "DAYS" on another two-fer. That package was great. True, most of the songs on the "DAYS" sides are a little overblown production numbers (culled from Williams' hugely successful variety TV show of the 60's) but remember, it's Andy Williams, and that's good music any time. Now the second half of this CD, the "IN THE ARMS OF LOVE" sides is a MUCH different story. I personally lobbied the good people at Collectable Records for two years to at least investigate getting this album put on CD. Thankfully, they have done just that. (Being the music fan I am, I like to think I had something to do with this!) Whether that is the case or not, most of these songs have not been released on CD anywhere before, including the sensuously gorgeous reading of "AND WE WERE LOVERS", which has long been a favorite of mine. Andy's arrangement of this Leslie Bricusse theme frames his voice perfectly. A classic Andy Williams song that merits buying this CD on its own, dare I say. The remainder of the sides are old standards that have been done many times by many people, but here they are as only Andy can do them. His "REMEMBER" by the great Irving Berlin, Cole Porter's "ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT", and even the title track (although not an evergreen, per se) "IN THE ARMS OF LOVE" are all fantastic. Worth a listen; a definite buy for collectors."

Williams latest release is uneven

Darryl Geddes | Syracuse, NY | 01/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Andy Williams can be the best singer ever when his material is on target, but in this twofer, the singer's opening tracks are so off ther mark that it hurts to listen. After listening to the Days of Wine and Roses, one has to wonder how this became Andy's best-selling album. Except for the title track, Can't Get Used to Losing You and May Each Day, this CD blares with over-produced overaccompanied renditions of classic tunes that finds Williams yelling at the top of his lungs to stay above the din. Especially disappointing Falling In Love Again, You Are My Sunshine, When You're Smiling and Exactly Like You, which contains an insipid chorus yelling out "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh." These are tracks you'll want to skip over. But Williams redeems himself with the second album, In The Arms of Love. Everything is well done and the orchestrations are classic Williams. Especially good is the samba-inspired So Nice, Pretty Butterfly, A Man and A Woman."