Search - Andy Williams :: Love Theme From the Godfather / Way We Were

Andy covers the 70s

Darryl Geddes | Syracuse, NY | 02/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This two album CD has Andy covering a variety of 60s and 70s hits and doing it in typical Andy Williams style. McArthur Park and the Love Theme from the Godfather are over-the-top arrangements that blare and blast noise in all directions, but Williams keeps his cool raising his voice but never yelling. Williams seems to use a falsetto in some of these songs--was hs voice really that high? He does especially well with John Lennon's Imagine, Summer of '42, Touch Me in the Morning, and Killing Me Softly with Her Song. Less good are Seasons in the Sun and Sunshine on My Shoulder and You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me. The disc gives you a generous supply of music--74 minutes--and the sound quality is superb. One thing that Collectables needs to improve on is the absence of liner notes. The CD sleeve comes with the standard Williams bio, but nary a word about these two albums, from 1972 and '74. Original liner notes are a nifty addition to any disc and they are missed here."

The Real ANDY WILLIAMS

Kelly R. Mix | salem, oregon USA | 02/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful re-release of two of Andy's best early 70's albums in their entirity is a long over due treat. The Andy Williams of the 1970's is the real Andy Williams. No longer locked in to the light pop sounds expected of him in the 60's, these post weekly T.V. albums show what a really good pop singer he is. Just listen to "Until It's Time For You GO"--BEAUTIFUL. Precious and Few, Everything I own, The Way We Were, and TOuch Me In The Morning are all fabulous. The keystone, though, has to be Andy's 1972 top 40 hit Speak Softly Love, from the Godfather and the beautiful Music From Across The Way.Forget the sweater clad Andy Williams of the 1950's and 60's (well maybe not forget)--take a new look at the hip Pop icon of the 1970's---a decade that saw Andy earn 7 gold/platinum albums, host the grammy awards for 7 years and tour the world to sold out audiances. This is the real Andy Willaims---the same one you will see on concert in europe in the summer of 2002."

Andy's voice truly is a national treasure

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andy Williams always puts so much heart and soul into everything he ever sings; how I wish I could have seen him at least once in concert! Although Andy is now elderly, nothing can stop him: Andy still has shows scheduled later this year in his own theater in Branson Missouri; and that's grand. You never know; maybe I can still make it to see him perform! In addition, Andy could and still can perform covers of songs better than just about anyone; albums like this one more than prove it. Andy is in top form throughout this twofer CD that has all the songs from two of Andy's record albums entitled "Theme from `The Godfather'" and "The Way We Were." The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork incorporates the original artwork from the two record albums.



The track set begins with Andy at his usual very best singing the love theme from the movie "The Godfather." The musical arrangement fits in nicely with Andy's singing and it makes a fine opening number for this CD. "Precious and Few" is another song that has Andy really opening up to showcase his voice; and the backup chorus harmonizes to perfection! The theme from "Summer Of '42'" gets the royal treatment from Andy; the harp, strings and more enhance the natural beauty of this tune. "Until It's Time for You to Go" is treated very sensitively by Andy who never lets go of a superfluous note; and I really like "An Old Fashioned Love Song;" the passionate "Macarthur Park" and "Hurting Each Other" which I first heard performed by Karen and Richard Carpenter.



"Without You" is extremely poignant; what a fine cover Andy Williams does of this ballad! "Imagine" would certainly get John Lennon's stamp of approval; and "I Won't Last a Day without You" is a song I could never tire of hearing when Andy Williams sings it faultlessly. In addition, "Touch Me in the Morning" stuns me with its beauty; Andy delivers this very nicely and how's about that brass?



"Love's Theme" has Andy swinging gently to make this number shine brighter than silver and gold; and "Sunshine on My Shoulders" is very easy on the ear, to say the least. "The Way We Were" is the title song from the movie of the same name with Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford; and "The Most Beautiful Girl" has Andy crooning brilliantly. The CD ends with "If I Could Only Go Back Again;" this is another poignant number that leaves me wanting more.



Andy Williams still gives so much of himself when he performs; and we are all better off for his sharing his talents with us. I highly recommend this for his fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals from the 1970s would do well to add this to their collections."