Andy Williams - Dear Heart (1965)

Here's another of my favorite singers. I don't remember ever watching his show back in the day, except for a couple of Christmas specials. I do remember him hosting the Grammy awards at least once in the 1970s, and him guest starring on a couple of shows. But I did have the privilege of seeing Andy perform in Dallas in the late 1980s for his Christmas show (of course!). He's got such a wonderful and soothing voice! I'm not sure that I can pick just one of his songs as my favorite, because I love so many of them, and this album has many that I really love.

Track listing for Andy Williams - Dear Heart:

Side 1:
1. Red Roses for a Blue Lady
2. It Had to Be You
3. I Can't Stop Loving You
4. Till
5. I'm All Smiles
6. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

Side 2:
1. You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You
2. Emily
3. Almost There
4. My Carousel
5. Everybody Loves Somebody
6. Dear Heart

Andy Williams - Christmas Present (1974)

Hi, all! Took a little hiatus due to my work schedule, but I started a new job (hoping for NO or very little overtime) and I'm ready to get back at sharing my love of music with you! So, as we approach another Christmas season, let's get this going!

I remember buying this album with my own money from my allowance back in 1974 or 1975. I had just seen Andy Williams' Christmas special titled "Christmas Present" and absolutely loved the show. I especially liked the version of "Christmas Bells" sung by Andy's wife, Claudine Longet, and their daughter, Noelle. When I saw the record at the store, I just had to have it, but I had to convince my mother to let me buy it because it was "expensive" - $4.58 was a lot for a kid to spend on a record back then. Well, when I got it home, I was disappointed in the record (but I didn't dare tell my mother) because I had expected it to be a soundtrack of the show, but it was just Andy singing all the songs from the show. Now, of course, I love this record and Andy's singing, but I would still love to have a copy of that Christmas special, especially to see Claudine and Noelle singing "Christmas Bells". (So, if anyone knows if this show is available on DVD, please let me know!) I hope this album gets you all in the Christmas spirit!

Track listing for Andy Williams - Christmas Present:

Side 1:
1. Christmas Present
2. Joy to the World
3. O Little Town of Bethlehem
4. Christmas Bells
5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
6. Ave Maria (Schubert)

Side 2:
1. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. Ave Maria (Gounod)
5. What Child Is This
6. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
7. The Lord's Prayer

Here's a public service announcement that Andy did around the time "Christmas Present" aired on TV:

Andy Williams - To You Sweetheart, Aloha (1960)

In honor of Hawaii's 50th birthday as a state on Friday (August 21st), I decided that today's post would be an album of Hawaiian songs. I've already posted several Hawaiian music albums over the past three years, so be sure to take a look at those, too. But for today, I chose Andy Williams and this album of his on the Cadence label from 1960. As always, Andy's smooth voice is soothing and is perfect for singing these songs. While listening to this album, I can close my eyes and practically hear the surf and smell the ocean breeze - ahhh! (BTW, my birthday is also on Friday!)

Track listing for Andy Williams - To You Sweetheart, Aloha:

Side 1:
1. To You Sweetheart, Aloha
2. Blue Hawaii
3. I'll Weave a Lei of Stars for You
4. Sweet Leilani
5. The Moon of Manakoora
6. The Hawaiian Wedding Song

Side 2:
1. Song of the Islands
2. A Song of Old Hawaii
3. Love Song of Kalua
4. Beyond the Reef
5. Ka-Lu-A
6. Aloha Oe

On Sunday (August 23), be sure to catch the latest episode of my podcast at The Spin-O-Rama Hour. The episode will be all Hawaiian songs in honor of Hawaii's 50th birthday as a state!