The Andy Williams Christmas Album

by Andy Williams

Overview

Popular songs are often associated with the vocalists that made them famous but few artists actually have the distinction of having a "theme" song along the lines of Bob Hope with "Thanks for the Memories." Even fewer can claim to have two theme songs attached to them and Andy Williams is one of those fortunate stars. After "Moon River" became forever linked to Williams, he recorded a holiday song for his first Christmas album that gave him a yuletide hit and theme song. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was the right song at the right time for Williams when he began to perform it on his highly successful NBC Christmas specials that featured the whole Williams clan. Both the song and the television specials were so memorable, it wasn't long before Williams was crowned "Mr. Christmas." Of course having a full album of wonderful holiday songs perfectly performed doesn't hurt either and the Andy Williams Christmas Album was an instant hit when released in 1963 and has since become a traditional classic. Along with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Williams cheerfully celebrates with the spirited medley "Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season" and is at his playful best on the irresistibly raucous "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells." He also wraps his voice around chestnuts like "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" with all the warmth of a favorite blanket, while a soaring version of "O Holy Night" is both enchanting and moving. His tender reading of the lesser-known "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is as beautiful and serene as a crystal clear winter's night, but it is the instantly catchy opening line of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" that people remember the most. It is a fitting theme song not only for Andy "Mr.Christmas" Williams, but for the season as well and a sparkling highlight from a classic holiday album. ~ Aaron Latham

Product Details

Release Date:	08/24/2004
Label:	Legacy / Columbia
UPC:	0827969271223
Rank:	23062

Tracks

1. White Christmas
2. Medley: Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season
3. The Christmas Song
4. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
5. A Song and a Christmas Tree (The Twelve Days of Christmas)
6. Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells
7. The First Noel
8. O Holy Night
9. Away in a Manger
10. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
11. The Little Drummer Boy
12. Silent Night

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Andy Williams   Primary Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals
Robert Mersey   Conductor
Andrew Deerin   Director

Technical Credits

Wells   Composer
Steven Berkowitz   A&R,Producer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Gretchen Brennison   Project Director
Edward Pola   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Arranger,Composer
Franz Gruber   Composer
James Pierpont   Composer
Didier C. Deutsch   Reissue Producer
Joseph Mohr   Composer
John Jackson   Producer
Robert Mersey   Arranger,Producer
Robert MacGimsey   Composer
Mark Wilder   Mastering
Mel Torme   Composer
Kay Thompson   Composer
Adolphe Adam   Composer
Henry Onorati   Composer
George Wyle   Arranger,Composer
Joel Zimmerman   Art Direction
Darren Salmieri   A&R
Gregg Geller   Supervisor
Katherine K. Davis   Composer
Marty Paich   Arranger
Harry Simeone   Composer
Wyle   Arranger,Composer
Robert Wells   Composer
Mandell   Arranger
William Sandys   Composer
James R. Murray   Composer
Channing Delph   Project Supervisor
John J. Mandell   Arranger
Robert McGimsey   Composer
K. Thompson   Composer
John Thomas McFarland   Composer
John Sullivan Dwight   Composer
John J. Mandel   Arranger
Richard J. Alcock   Producer
Torme   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Simeone   Composer