#55 Andy Williams- Love, Andy
- agalvin19
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Another week, another album out of time…
(CBS)
Released: October 16th 1967
Producer: Nick DeCaro
Topped the chart:
9th June 1968 (for 1 week)
1 week total
Partying like it’s 1958 again, Andy Williams comes hot on the heels of Scott Walker with another easy listening throwback. But where Walker was cocking a snook at the past with drinks and theatrical winks, Williams plays it straight for his 21st LP.
And yes, it’s every bit as tired as that number would suggest.
Mostly, this is easy listening at its easiest, a set of lame covers with uninspired arrangements and delivered with all the energy of day-old roadkill. One of Andy’s biggest hits features here, Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, but where it needs the brass present to create lift-off in the pre-chorus, it's oddly muted and never leaves the launchpad. The same can be said of God Only Knows—never a wise move (just ask David Bowie), and so it proves here; despite some nice orchestration flourishes, Williams lacks the charm and innocence needed when taking on Brian Wilson’s masterwork. Still, a step above his take on The Look of Love which is so tired it might as well be in a coma.
There are highlights—his version of Somethin’ Stupid is hardly revolutionary but at least captures the romance that Frank n Nancy’s version misses due to creepiness, while it’s left to Watch What Happens and There Will Never Be Another Year to deliver a flicker of life; the former through a vaguely bossa nova rhythm and the latter propelled by jazz piano.
Make no mistake: Andy Williams has a delightful voice, his occasional strains hinting at a sadness and pain beneath the razzle dazzle. But these are not the vital arrangements to make the most of it. Well, you know what they say, 22nd is the charm…
Score: 4/10
Tracklisting:
SIDE A
1. Somethin’ Stupid
2. Watch What Happens
3. The Look of Love
4. What Now My Love
5. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
6. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
SIDE B
7. Holly
8. When I Look in Your Eyes
9. The More I See You
10. There Will Never Be Another You
11. God Only Knows
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